IBB’s Memoir: Ohaneze Chieftain Calls for Apology To Ndigbo Over Civil Warfare

A chieftain of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro has counseled the previous army Head of State, Common Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) for his daring and historic assertion that the January 1966 coup d’état was unequivocally not an Igbo coup.

Mazi Isiguzoro in an announcement made accessible to LEADERSHIP, mentioned the brave acknowledgment stands as a vital milestone in altering the narrative that has unjustly painted the Igbo individuals as antagonists throughout the broader scope of Nigeria’s tumultuous political panorama.

He famous that the revelation alerts a possible cessation of the entrenched vindictiveness, cruelty, and deep-seated animosities directed towards the Igbo Nation over the previous 5 many years.

Isiguzoro famous Babangida’s readability throughout his current e-book launch titled: “A Journey in Service,” concerning the 1966 coup, notably his exemption of the Igbo individuals from the unjust label of being “enemies of the North,” as certainly commendable—albeit belated.

“The ramifications of the misguided classification of the 1966 January Coup as an Igbo riot have been profoundly detrimental, resulting in catastrophic penalties not solely throughout that tumultuous interval, however extending into the current day.

“Within the wake of this tragic historical past, the Igbo individuals proceed to endure from systemic injustices and marginalisation. The tragic closure of the Japanese {Economic} Hall, characterised by the everlasting shutdown of the Calabar Seaport and different important infrastructures, underscores the extent of our exclusion,” he mentioned.

He known as on the Federal authorities to confront the shadows of the historic traumas of Ndigbo through the years.

“It’s crucial that the present federal authorities, below the management of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should confront the shadows of our historic traumas.

“We demand a public and unreserved apology from the President on behalf of previous army regimes, significantly that of Common Yakubu Gowon, who orchestrated unprovoked bombardments and shellings over Igbo territory in the course of the Nigeria-Biafra Warfare that resulted in immense human struggling and loss.

“Moreover, Ndigbo ought to preserve its resolute stance that the Nigerian federal authorities should dispel the long-standing inequities perpetrated towards the Igbo nation by paying reparations amounting to 10 trillion naira.

“This demand isn’t merely a requirement for {financial} restitution or restitution; it’s a crucial acknowledgment of the worth of human lives misplaced and the cultural and infrastructural devastation endured by our individuals, which stays evident even 55 years post-conflict,” he added.