NIGERIA IS A SINKING TITANIC

by Okey Iwuji

 

Titanic story has become a household knowledge to generations born some 100 years after her demise on April 15, 1912 in a deep sea off the coast of Newfoundland, North Atlantic. The unfortunate story became popular than the architect, Thomas Andrews who designed and built the state-of art ship ever celebrated which great prospect in revenue generation in the ship industry was not in doubt due to the luxurious comfort it could afford and number of souls it could accommodate on a single boarding. Besides, the gadgets installed were so wonderful at the time that the designer could boast that even God cannot sink it, without acknowledging flaws human craft could be prone to, in what was considered as master piece of it’s time. White star liner’s desperate quest to be ahead of competitors seems to imply a hasty completion of the ship’s building between 1909 and 1912 which left some flaws.

 

 

Titanic was owned by British white star liner and was reckoned to be about 900 feet long and 100 feet high and the fastest on 30 knots in speed with individualized watertight compartments for which it was accredited as unsinkable in the eyes of the builder. The ship could carry as many as 2,206 passengers and 898 crew members on board on that maiden voyage. Incidentally, this envious vessel which left Southampton England, with pomp and glamour could not sail to it’s expected destination, New York city when it ran into an iceberg that drowned it with about 1,500 of it’s many occupants.

Co-incidentally, the same British coupled Nigeria in 1914, two years after Titanic ended in the belly of an Atlantic Ocean with great eagerness to reap fortunes from it’s abundant human and natural resources to compliment her domestic revenue and to offset her continued trade deficit emanating from the northern axis with that of south. Though, it reaped this fortune for 46 years but seemed dissatisfied when the founding fathers of Nigerian independence came knocking at the door requesting for their freedom. Such men like Pa Nnamdi Azikiwe, Pa Enahoro and Pa Awolowo and host of others.

In pursuit of this economic gains, Britain undermined outstanding differences in culture, language, religious and philosophical believes of the tribal units being fussed into one ship called Nigeria and which began to sink no sooner she left to sail in 1960.
Due to economic interest in the southeast, Britain, Egypt and Russia backed the Nigerian government in weaponry and personnel to crush the seceding Biafra which was perceived as region with independence-front-liners, to restore their control on the region’s newly found oil without doing much to entrench justice and fairness in the politics of the country since after the civil war.

 

 A war that has been described by historians as the worst inhuman and disastrous in a modern age that claimed more than 3,500,000 people through starvation programme which Britain and her allied permitted in utter disregard to rules outlined in Geneva war convention of 1949 which both countries subscribed to.

It must be recalled that 1914 was in heat days when European powers that scrambled and partitioned African territory were tying up their African booties as though bunches of firewood and Britain was in a hurry to tie up her fragmented booties in the west coast of Africa into an entity known today as Nigeria before France and other contending powers could breach into these protectorates. By this effort, Nigeria became big in human and material resources like the titanic, commanding a high population of about fifty million and vast mineral resources spread across the regions by Independence Day.

The competition that existed in the ship industry in United Kingdom that gave birth to this great vessel, titanic, was similar to competition among European nations scramble of Africa that produced Nigeria. Titanic and Nigeria were both products of intense competitions between Cunard and White star liner in one hand and Britain, Russia and France in another hand.

Just as titanic was hastily done to meet the challenges of that time, Nigeria amalgamation was hastily done as well to make administration easy for the overlords. Though the Nationalists could be partly blamed for the haste preceding the Independence that forced unwilling and unready section of the country to be co-opted into the independence project for which opportunity Britain seized to create a big fundamental problem the nation is grappling with till date. While desire to be independent from colonial rule was high in the hearts of founding fathers, they fell to the British bait by accepting to be merged with unready north meant to continue an indirect rule on the new nation and independence front-liners were ready to accept any conditions that would make the white overlords ease out quickly. For if the agitators were insistence on being separate nations and patiently waited for more years, may be the story could have been different today.

 Thomas Andrews-Titanic Builder.

 According to hypotheses, titanic was doomed from the start by it’s design though it was hailed as a-state- of –the –art master piece. The watertight compartment design contained a flaw which analyst think may have been a critical factor in her sinking; while the individual bulkheads were indeed watertight, water could spill from one compartment into another, unlike those of contemporary vessels owned by Cunard. In the same way, the British in desperate desire to cede power to a manipulative stooge introduced corruption and mediocrity into a young nation at the very beginning by compromising census population figure to the favour of the north having promised Sir Ahmadu Bello a 50% seat at the house of parliament as a condition to encourage him accept amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates and even exceeded to 55% to make the north lord over the new nation. Also by installing a grade 2 teacher as a prime minister when great brains were available in large numbers in the Nigerian politics of the time, Britain dug a foundation of mediocrity in governance in Nigeria which is bedeviling the Nigerian state up till tomorrow. Looking back 53 years after, do Britain feel ashamed of the evil seeds of corruption and bloodletting sowed in Nigeria for quest of filthy lucre?

 The British was said to have poisoned the minds of other sections of Nigeria against the Igbos for being outspoken, wise and industrious and accuse them of domineering tendencies thereby creating hate, suspicion and unnecessary bickering from the very first and no wonder her silence during the various massacre of biafrans in the north and supportive role during the war. Britain set up many commission of inquiries into the various genocidal killings in Nigeria of those days and despite the findings went ahead to side Nigerian government against the Biafra state.

 Lord Lugard,Nigeria Amalgamator

The ceding of Bakassi Peninsula to the German government without the consent of the indigenous people of the land based on the treaty of protection signed with the king of bakassi way back 1884 is among recent evidence of fundamental problems the colonial master created for the new nation, Nigeria. Nigeria, on her own and possibly with the aid of her foreign war advisers signed off Bakassi again to Cameroun to block Biafra from accessing the world through the sea and to support the cause of Nigeria. Today, the signing off of the peninsula has become a spate in the eyes of well meaning Nigerians, a source of aggression and axis of death for bakassi people and Nigerians at large from Cameroun neighbour, for which Nigeria will forever live to regret.

 Sir Ahmadu Bello-The Sarduana Of Sokoto.

It was discovered that there was a small coal fire in one of the bunkers of titanic which was alarming, though not an uncommon occurrence on steamships of that time. Stokers hosed down the smoldering coal and shoveled it aside to reach the base of the blaze. After assessing the situation, the captain and chief engineer concluded that it was unlikely it had caused any damage that could affect the hull structure, and the stokers were ordered to continue controlling the fire at sea. According to a theory put forth by a small number of Titanic experts, the fire became uncontrollable after the ship left Southampton, forcing the crew to attempt a full-speed crossing; moving at such a fast pace, they were unable to avoid the fatal collision with the iceberg. According to a British journalist, Michael Nicholson, during the civil war, the war would have been inevitable because of what he referred to as tribal prejudice, jealousy and gang up against the Ibos because of their unity, progress and industry which was helped to full blow by 1966 coup led by Igbo officers. But the zeal of the officers to arrest a monumental corruption, embezzlement and extravagant lifestyles and anarchy of some politicians which became worrisome to all observers of the new republic gave rise to the coup in order to entrench orderliness. Corruption and ethnic prejudice in Nigeria and other contemporary nations of Africa

were like little coals of fire discovered in titanic at that time which went out of control because of negligence. And moving fast to save the situation through the coup of 1966 created bigger problems leading to disintegration as it was wrongly executed and Northern soldiers pretended to misunderstood and misinterpreted the true situation. Whereas Ghana’s coup by flight Lt.Jerry Lawrence successfully curbed corruption but Nigeria’s created multiple coups, deepened corruption, tribal hatred, selfish political class, mediocrity and religious bigotry.

 

Pa Anthony Enahoro-One Of the Nationalists.

 Thomas Andrew’s confidence of an unsinkable ship may have contributed to inadequate precautionary measures in providing a few numbers of 16 lifeboats and 4 Engelhardt collapsible that could accommodate 1,178 people of a ship which capacity when full could carry about 2,435 passengers and 900 crew members totaling about 3,300 people. Though 16 lifeboats and the collapsible were said to exceed British Boards of trade regulations of that time but was inadequate for emergency evacuation amidst confusion and present day standard. Each of the lifeboats was meant to carry 65 persons but some left with fewer than 28 persons because of confusion. The Nigerian government henchmen have over the years adopted some wrong and inadequate safety measures which are thought to keep the titanic entity afloat. These measures include among others; the divide and rule of some ethnic nationalities especially Igbos, marginalization, brutal crushing of opponents who refused to be bought over, playing up ethnic and religious sentiments and recently campaigning against military intervention while leaving out equity, justice, fairness and accountability which is the bane of stability of any nation. It is on these false measures that the drivers of the nation’s doom brag of none divisible Nigeria, like Thomas Andrew’s unsinkable titanic. Yet, what these henchmen have failed to accept is that Nigeria is sinking and need urgent rescue through national dialogue by all ethnic groups in Nigeria. In the face of religious and ethnic tension, with people being killed on daily basis by Boko haram sect, Biafran agitators waxing stronger everyday especially taken the Nigerian state to court seeking for independent state and Bakassi, Ogoni hoisting  indigenous flags declaring autonomy, these self-serving leaders have refused every call for Sovereign national conference,

 Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, one of 1966 coup plotters

 pretending that Nigeria well be better while it gradually falling apart. Can a group of people continue in a nation filled with hatred against one another and bloodletting and remain indivisible?

 What will the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangidas,Obasanjos and Danjumas do when Nigeria finally sinks into the bottomless history notes unprepared since they have refused to accept the through position of things and prepare the minds of Nigerian citizens rather boast their readiness to go back to trenches to keep Nigeria one?

Will they out of shame commit suicide in order to end with Nigeria like Thomas Andrews who for shame of what people will say ended his life with the unsinkable titanic?

Nigeria union compares favourably with the two lovebirds of titanic who would have wished the voyage have no end and moreso ending disastrously. Jack Dawson, a poor young fellow in sizzling romance with a rich Rose Dewitt Bukater was said to have distracted the ship captain who stirred at them in their love nest and losing concentration ran into an iceberg that ended titanic. Jack took advantage of Ross, influence, obsesses, control and would never let her go even when Rose parents became uncomfortable with Jack’s companionship and needed some space, so the poor North and southwest bourgeoises in marriage union with rich south have refused Nigerian people to go their separate ways because of free oil money that lubricates their families and black and white cronies at the expense of our suffocation and cries for freedom. As Jack could no longer hold back Rose in the face of danger so these bourgeoisies  will someday leave indigenous people of Nigeria alone.

NIGERIA FIGHTS BIAFRA AGAIN 2

By Okey Iwuji

The suit filed by BILIE human right, on behalf of the indigenous people of Biafra against Nigeria, at Federal high court Owerri, praying the court among others to determine whether it is unlawful for the remnant of the indigenous people of Biafra, who were not consumed by the civil war of 1968-1970 to choose to be known by their indigenous name, Biafra and to seek for self determination as enshrined in the United Nations and African charter received attention on the 16^th day of January 2013 after two consecutive failures by Nigerian government to appear in court to respond to the questions from BILIE.

This day’s appearance was not without cohesion from the Court which threatened to continue with the hearing should Nigeria fail again this day, having ignored the originating summons on the 30^th Oct and 26^th Nov 2012 respectively. Nigeria’s turn up attracted a fine of #5,000 for contempt of court as the presiding judge Justice SM Shaibu was not satisfied with reasons by Nigeria’s solicitor for dishonouring the court’s invitation.

Though the case was adjourned to 28^th March 2013 to enable BILIE lead consul, Bar.Emeka Adolf Emeka, tidy up some legal issues in accordance with his prayer to the court. Present at the court were Bar.Uwazie and BILIE team of lawyers eagerly waiting to argue it out with Nigeria team led by Bar.Adeleja. With Nigeria fully represented in court means that the stage is set to use the rule of law and logical reasoning to ask Nigeria, to let God’s people go.

Nigeria receipt of contempt of law at this preliminary hearing has raised some obvious questions, whether she will come to equity with clean hands? Whether she is afraid to stand in defense for her reasons in killing several millions of Biafrans during and after civil war for their interest to be known as Biafrans instead of Nigerians? Will Nigeria not unnecessarily foot drag in this case to buy time instead of being straight on the matter? Why will Nigeria not honour the request of Biafra and other ethnic  nationals  to go  away from a system that has never benefitted greater percentage of the population, while Britain, Egypt are willing to offer their subjects the opportunity to decide their fate through referendum. For instance, Britain has given a referendum to the Scottish to decide their independence despite years Scotland has been a member of British nation and still preparing to do the same to entire citizenry to decide their willingness to continue in a United European nation. This is what democracy should be and Nigeria claims to look up to Britain and America for good governance. Unlike Nigeria’s President’s claim that Nigerian people have lived together for one hundred years therefore no part should be allowed to breakaway, Scotland has been part of Britain for years with it’s better system and still wants to leave from great Britain.

Official campaign for Scottish Independence in Britain.

In another consideration, will Justice SM Shaibu that started well by not conceding to Nigeria government’s unfounded reasons for lack of appearance on the expected days and equally pledged to be unbiased in the matter, hold on to his integrity for posterity sake, till the end without compromising the process by employing a kinsman sentiment because some Yorubas are known for their penchant to bend judgment in order to favour their kinsman when matter has to do with outsider.

The choice of Bar. Adeleja to represent Nigeria in a court presided by his kinsman has a far reaching implications. Apart from kindred spirit that rob justice, the Yoruba brothers have through several writings of today and speeches of yester-years given impression that the war of secession was an Eastern and Northern region affairs and now would it be appropriate for the same Yoruba to lead in a second battle of resistance for Biafra independence while the Northern lawyers sit back and watch closer neighbours fight to finish for a cause that primarily belongs to North as claimed?

Alex Salmonds launches Scottish Independence referendum consultations.

Does the selection of Bar.Adeleja based on merit or political games which the south has failed to realize over these years? Merit in the sense that he is the most qualified and knows more about the Nigeria-Biafran war than the lawyers of Northern extraction or a continued exercise of divide and rule diplomacy which the North and her British political adviser has used to make united south unattainable. If on this, then the Attorney General of the Federation, Justice Mohammed Adoke, a northerner, who was joined in suit with the president of Nigeria by BILIE has made a score card. The reason is to further generate bad blood between the Ibos and the Yoruba of the same south making a political agreement difficult. A good political thinker would know that a little political accord of the south west that produced Jonathan presidency is being threatened by recent publication’ There was a country by Prof.Achebe.President,Goodluck.E.Jonathan

While the offices of the President and AGF leave no choice for the duo but to defend it, Bar.Adeleja has no compelling duty except he belongs to the brigade that vows to truncate Biafra vision at all cost or he is driven by love for blood money which Judas of bible took to betray the Messiah. If this is true as well, then goodluck to him and all his supporters to remain in Nigeria but one thing is certain, Biafra is gone from Nigeria conglomerate to their own land that will ensure security of their lives and properties.Justice Mohammed Adoke,AGFN.

A single word of advice for Bar.Adeleja is to look before he leaps because Biafra is a political, economic and spiritual phenomenon of southeast. All that are fighting them fight the God of Heaven, their very God and would be visited like Pharaoh and Egypt at all fronts in due time.