BIAFRA AND HER PEOPLE YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW. Written by KEMKA S. IBEJI

The pursuit, yearning, craving and fight for Biafra has lingered since the 60s especially ranging from the prelude of the Civil War through the war to this present time. Changes in dimensions and forms have been attributed to the reactions of the government at all times. It is very clear to put out the fact that while the people, after the war, have continued to remind themselves of the idea and have asked questions of their existence in Nigeria with very peaceful dispositions, the government has continued visiting them with excruciating violence that has let to the death of a great number of the young people of the Southeast especially. Associations have sprouted and blossomed while many have waned and died. Even more keep springing up each day concerning Biafra, her identity and her people. 

Amidst all the agitations and protestations, very important aspects of such craving have been ignored and left out. This is the most insensitive act in this struggle and if it is persistently ignored, the Biafra if achieved will be the negative of the people's ambitions and dreams in fighting for it. 

This is simply to highlight the fact that the fight for Biafra should not continue to be cosmetic as it has remained for too long. Any fight as such that does not promise better life and welfare for the people is useless, fruitless and worthless. The question may not bother more on the promise than the essences and mores of the entity. 

Consider that the first thing the IPOB, MASSOB and company should be doing first is to gain a viable moral and virtuous mindset for the people. The pursuit should have its own brand of ethics such that it guarantees something different from the usual. What have they all done in this all important area? Is there a formal dream of lifestyle, value system or moral prescription put down to guide the shaping up of the people and new community of Biafra? 

Does it not sound true to say that Biafra will be worse than Nigeria if it comes today because the concept of Biafra has not incorporated any mental being that can guarantee good living in it. What is the behavioural philosophy of Biafra? Who knows the prescribed lifestyle of the Biafra as pursued by the groups? Is there any distinguishing attitude, character, moral carriage or way of life prescribed and promoted by the crafting of the Biafran agitators? Is there any good lifestyle by which one can identify the Biafrans? 

Are these killings, murders, assassinations, violations of humanity, heightened insecurities and brazen lack of human value that we see today in this latest pursuits of Biafra the representatives of the new ethos to be embraced and embedded in Biafra? Even if we agree that the reactions and responses of the Nigerian government to the peaceful agitations have informed the new dimensions and methods, does it also remove all of us from being humans and becoming these beasts that have greeted us? Are we now going to continue in this style of living as brutes and barbarians who have lost or never had any mind of moral beings? 

Even if we all agree that these ugly pictures and sad happenings in Igbo land today are not being carried out by the agitators, we won't deny the fact that those who have penetrated our land with and for evil were able to do so by opportunities make possible by the patterns of living established by the agitators in our land. The Eastern Security Network (ESN) which was said to have been created to safeguard the land and geographical boundaries of Biafra have either gone to sleep or have joined the chorus. Whichever way, they are not to described with any words far from catastrophic failure unless they quickly wake up to their said and advertised promises. 

The crying question bangs on the human constituents of Biafra. What are the planned distinguishing factors from the day in the new world? Are we going to carry these lifestyles of cheating, enmity, hatred, being cunning and unreliable, unfaithfulness, extreme capitalism, consciencelessness and sorts over to the craved Biafra or are we going stop somewhere along the way to make some changes? 

Today, like every other yuletide season, the prices of transportation have jumped and skyrocketed to the high heavens without any reasonable factor that should inform that. There is no fuel scarcity, the security has remained same as in the last few months, the roads are still the same both in structure and measurement, etc, but the fairs have climbed the heights of the tallest of all mountains. The drivers and transport company owners are still people from the same anticipated Biafra and their customers or passengers are also same Biafrans.

If you tell me about the free market and/or market forces in consideration of the dictates of demand and supply, I will have to remind you of the play of turnover in business. Just like six and half a dozen, they are the same. Why the self killing? What is the identity of Biafra to be sold to and bought by all? Are these pictures so far worth the sweat for Biafra? 

The call and quest for Biafra should begin with the change of mindset and the love for one another. The idea of eating everybody at a given opportunity is hatred against fellows and the very problem of Nigeria. Biafra has got no difference yet. So what is the need of Biafra if it will grant no difference in the quality of life of the people from where they presently are?

This calls for our collective reflection and consideration. Is Biafra worth the heck?