Civil War: Elderstatesman Blames Media for Braifra’s Defeat, Collapse

By Praise Chinecherem

An Industrialist and elderstateman, Dr Chike Obidigbo has blamed lack of formidable media team as responsible for the loss of victory of the people of Southeast in the 3-year old Nigeria-Biafra Civil War.

He argued that Ndigbo defeat was not essentially the unnequipped military but the media, insisting that the case would have been different if there was strong media presence as it is today.

Addressing newsmen in his Umunya country home, Obidigbo, former Anambra State governorship candidate, said Igbos did not receive needed assistance as most of the killings recorded in Igboland were underreported.

He also identified self-centeredness which he tagged, “I before others” (Ibo) as another major cog in the wheel of Ndigbo’s progress.

He stressed that growth and development would continue to elude the people of region if they refused to jettison selfishness, replacing the “I” factor with that of “We”.

He said, “This is the same reason we lost the Biafra war which was between us and Britain, not Nigeria. It’s not because of unnequipped army, but unnequipped media. The world didn’t hear about the Biafra war because media was not exposed as today.

“Britain which was our mouthpiece was not only directly involved in the war, but on Nigerian side. Infact, the war was not Nigerian/Biafra war, but Britain/Biafra war. The emergence of Igbo economy is anti-Britain interest. So they want it suppressed.

“Another challenge we have as a people is the slogan: I before others (Ibo). Our problem is the “I” factor; and as long as that problem persists, we’re going nowhere as a people.

“If you’re observant enough, every Igbo man wants to be number 1, heard and seen. But we must make deliberate efforts to change that narrative. We must suppress the “I” and replace with “we”.

“If there’s anything we need today, it’s one voice. If we don’t have one voice, the world can’t recognize us and all our efforts will be exercise in futility. Ndigbo has suffered enough and the hardship will keep multiplying.

While decrying scarcity of vocal and courageous elders in Igboland, Obidigbo challenged media practititioners in the zone to rise to the challenge, describing them as liberators.

“It’s only the media that can liberate us, especially our youths. It’s your responsibility, as foot soldiers to galvanize different interests and play down on emphasis on money above hardwork. That’s dangerous. Money follows work, work doesn’t follow money, genuine one for that matter.

“Why most of our elders are gone is because they hardly say the truth as ought to. That’s why I decided to talk not just as an elder, but as one knowledgeable about the happenings in the society. Whether they listen or not is not the issue,” he quipped.

Elders can’t stay at home and……it pains me that we no longer have bold, courageous and sincere elders which the Igbos are known for.

I’ve searched all over Igbo land, there’s scarcity of elders. Its elders responsibility to talk, while youths act. But what we have today are youths that talk and do. This is not just wrong, but painful and shameful and reason we’re not making meaningful progress as a people.

Why must of our elders are gone is because they hardly say the truth as ought to. That’s why I decided to talk not just as an elder, but as one knowledgeable about the happenings in the society. Whether they listen or not is not the issue.

When I was vying for governor, my major concern was the state and conditions of Igbo youths. If truly they are our leaders we must spend time to package them in preparation for the future so as to be useful to themselves and society.

But instead of packaging them, they’re being massacred like animals, leading to their migration to overseas for greener pastures.

Unfortunately, the Federal government is enjoying the development because of its dislike of Ndigbo. They’re happy Igboland is turning into desert.

Another challenge of Ndigbo is the slogan: I before others (IBO). Our problem is the I factor. And as long as that problem persists, we’re going nowhere as a people.

We must make deliberate efforts to change that I to we. Once that is done, lots of things will change for good. Let’s borrow a key

He urged the media to rise to the challenge, saying it’s the power of the media that can the socio-political and economy of any society.

Since 1999, the Yoruba has been on stage, attracting the attention of not just Nigerians, but the whole world. Obasanjo came up as compensation for Abiola. The same yoruba media, wrote out Jonathan who was replaced by Buhari and Osinbajo. Through the pen again, Tinubu emerged. This is power of the media, which Ndigbo is yet to appreciate and take advantage of. Media dictates.

I told Peter Obi that his doom is lack of succession plan on who to replace him. He still talks about that advice till date. But he failed woefully in that advice. We’re still suffering from that till today.

We quarreled when he asked me to contest for governor of the State because I wasn’t interested. But I had to agree after Obi of Onitsha intervention. I didn’t come out for money attached. I learnt from my father early in life that true wealth isn’t what’s in your pocket, but what’s inside you.

If social media was available during Ojukwu time, we wouldn’t have lost. All the massacre that happened in Igboland were not reported.