Ikenga, Ofo symbols in Owerri removed - Vanguard News
Egb...@aol.com
You said it all: this is "Uluani" -- an abomination. Did you read our Bishop?
Pray, what is wrong with IDOL worship? The statues of oyibo saints in his
church, what are they? GODS?
A "chief" from Nigeria said he won't pour libation last Saturday. Why? He is
a knight. So? The "Ndiichie" to whom we pour libation are "dead and gone."
Okay, assuming this cretin is right: is Saint Anthony of Padua and Sant
Francis of Assisi alive and well?
Zubairu should back his bags and forget about a legacy in Imo State.
Clutching at figs won't save a looooong hollow tenure. Here he is insulting
our harmless religious symbols while the bust of Murtala Mohammed is
displayed in Enugu. Don't forget that under the watch of this man the blood
of Igbo males colored the Niger. Imagine the bust of Chukwuma Nzeogwu in
Kaduna.... and he committed no such hideous crimes.
It is a shame that Ndiigbo sit back and allow this desecration of our
ancestral legacy in the name of imported colonial and oppressive faith. We
are all talk, talk, talk: our people are damn too brain-washed for subjective
comfort. What a nation!
=====================
In a message dated 4/26/99 5:20:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Ugo_An...@dot.ca.gov writes:
<<
Incompetent administrators who are busy lining their pockets are so shameless
that they are focusing on destroying Igbo
symbols instead of their own poverty of ideas. Imo State shall survive
Zubairu's
oppression long enough for Achike Udenwa to restore
OFO NA IKENGA NDIGBO to their place of honor. And to think that our folks
cowardly drift along with these holligans in army uniform.
Please read the story below from Vanguard.
Monday, April 26, 1999 >>
Kevin Ani
It is extremely upsetting to read that the symbols of Ikenga and
ofo have been removed from the streets of Owerre on the orders of
one Col. Zubairu, a non-Igbo stranger with no proper understanding
of the nuances of Igbo culture and worldview. This is very disturbing.
Far more disturbing is the suggestion that Ahiajioku lecture series, the
great annual gathering of Igbo intellectuals have also been stopped on
the basis of what appears to be a warped and superficial understanding
of christianity.
Anyone who had visited Owerre before now would not have failed to
see how these symbols gave that city a distinctly Igbo character
and flavour. This is the first time ever that the Igbo cultural
worldview has been deliberately placed in an urban public setting
for the whole world to see and the effects were dramatic. Before
Owerre, our renowned artists such as Ben Enweonwu made Sango etc.
for display outside Igboland. Before the symbols were removed, anyone
visiting from abroad would not fail to see that Owerre was an Igbo city
with a difference, a city built to reflect the vision of things in Igbo
art.
Col. Zubairu should note that Owerre is not just a collection of
houses. It occupies a special place in the core of Igbo national
sentiments. Ikenga, the symbol of a man's talent, strength, enterprise
and achievement, and ofo, the Igbo symbol of justice and authority are
not in Owerre by accident either. Lest we forget, Owerre which is
regarded by outsiders as the "Igbo heartland" was the scene of bitter
battles during the war. Having been unjustly attacked, the Igbo at
Owerre demonstrated their fighting spirit for the world to see. It was
at this theatre that the modern Igbo military doctrine of TOTAL DEFENCE
was validated. Owerre was also the scene of the heroic last stand by the
Igbo race in their titanic struggle against the forces of genocide and
internal colonialism (1967-70). It was in Owerre that the Biafran war
ended and the Igbo elite dispersed.
When it became clear that Igbo assets in Port Harcourt had been
confiscated along with all bank accounts held by Ndiigbo everywhere
in Nigeria, that Ndiigbo were no longer welcomed in the organised
economy, civil service and the army, there emerged a great determination
to rebuild ala Igbo with Igbo talent and strength pursued with justice
and authority. The comercial expressions of this determination are to be
found in Onitsha, Nnewi and Aba, the artistic and intellectual dimension
are found in Owerre with its Mbari Houses, abstract sculptures and
Ahiajioku lecture series, Enugu remains the political capital whereas
Umuahia retains the image of an Igbo military city etc. Owerre is the
most modern of Igbo cities and I suspect that the experiences of our
recent history were in the minds of Dr Mbakwe and other Igbo patriots
who designed and built it.
My point is that every Igbo city has a special character ingrained in
the mind of Ndiigbo and this is rooted in our history. People
(including Zubairu) should not and cannot just come in rearrange our
reality, chop and change our culture with impunity. Where did Zubairu
take his lessons on thse matters? Should he even join any discussion on
these matters which are clearly beyond the scope of his duties? Yes,
Onyearugbulem had no business interfering with the affairs of the Benin
obas just as Zubairu should not interfere with Igbo cultural heritage.
The Ahiajioku lecture series should be restored along with the symbols
of Igbo worldview illigally removed from the streets of Owerre. These
artefacts do not clash with christianity however one stretches the
meaning of christianity. This is an insult to all decent Igbo people.
The Igbo diaspora should liaise with home-based organisations such as
Aka Ikenga, Mezie Owerre, Igboezue, Ohaneze, elected governors etc. and
pursue with missionary zeal, the immediate restoration of these symbols
that define the character and essence of Owerre as a leading city in
central Igbo territory.
Okwu agwu.
From: <Egb...@aol.com>
=====================
<<
--
Kevin Ani
A. Robert Mbama
It is always a pleasure reading your analysis of events as it relates
to Ndigbo. I will suggest that we collectively write the incoming
civilian administration to make it a priority to restore those symbols.
Bob
--- Kevin Ani <Ebony...@nigerpress.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> Ndiigbo Ndeewo,
>
> It is extremely upsetting to read that the symbols
> of Ikenga and
> ofo have been removed from the streets of Owerre on
> the orders of
> one Col. Zubairu, a non-Igbo stranger with no proper
> understanding
> of the nuances of Igbo culture and worldview. This
> is very disturbing.
> Far more disturbing is the suggestion that Ahiajioku
> lecture series, the
> great annual gathering of Igbo intellectuals have
> also been stopped on
> the basis of what appears to be a warped and
> superficial understanding
> of christianity.
>
> Anyone who had visited Owerre before now would not
> have failed to
> see how these symbols gave that city a distinctly
> Igbo character
> and flavour.. This is the first time ever that the
=== message truncated ===
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Nnaemeka M Onumonu
Ndeewo nu.
When we refuse to stand up for ourselves, what do we expect?
When we are more interested in pushing our personal agenda, should we
then be surprised that other people now have the guts to tell us what is
right?
When we refuse to stand on truth, are we then surprised that our sacred
symbols are desecrated?
We must put the blame where it lies, on our doorsteps. Does any of us
think that a Yoruba sacred symbol would be desecrated by any person, no
matter how important they think they are?
Until the rule of law is established among Ndi Igbo, we might as well
expect more of the same. Until we define what we are, other people will
continue to tell us who they think we should be.
Until we stand up for ourselves, people who do not even understand what
their cultures are will continue to tell us what our culture should be.
A message should be sent to this person that in every village and town
square we will erect the symbol of what make Igbo a unique people, and
there is nothing he or anyone can do about it. This is IGBO.
Ndeewo.
Emeka.
Eric Kalu
STARTING FROM MAY 29, 1999 NDIIGBO MUST STAND UP AND DEFEND OUR IDENTITY,
HERITAGE, LAND, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE.
As a result of the recent events in Owere, I think it is time for
a dedicated group be formed to solicit and raise funds for
Igbocentric historical symbols to be erected in key Igbo cities (Onicha, Enu-ugu,
Owere, Aba , Umuahia, Asaba, Afikpo, Ugwu Ocha(PH)).
Some ideas worth pursuing immediately include:-
(1) Restore the Ikenga and Ofo symbols in Owere
(2) REPLACE Murtala's burst at Enugu with that of Tim Onwuatuegwu or Chukwuma K. Nzeogwu
or Aguiyi Ironsi(personally, I am not really keen on JTU's burst to be there - I prefer
Tim)
We have compromised enough. Radicalism in Igbocentric issues is not a crime. By the way,
for those of you who wants to be seen as "nationalistic in outlook", remember that they
are those of us who are contented in being Igbocentric. Nigeria state cannot come before
the Igbo nation in Igbo land. What history are we going to teach our children ? What a
better way for our children to learn about those who sacrificed their lives for the
dignity of Ndiigbo ?
I don't have time but let me relate an experience I had 5 years ago. I was on vacation
with my family to Charleston, South Carolina in 1994. Went to visit one of these former
plantations. In their gift shop area, they had figures and artifacts of the southern
generals and slave holders. They were a number of white folks buying and telling jokes
about them. Do you know what I did ? I joined in and asked for some help. I asked for
a figure of General Sherman Douglas. Dead silence and unhappy faces. Some of the men around
there could have shot me if they had the means. My wife pulled me away. The moral is that
you and only you can make saints out of your own. It may seem distasteful to others, but
it is left for you to assert your right. [For those of you who do not know, Sherman burnt
Atlanta as well as Charleston during the American civil war]. Imagine Sherman's burst in
a central park in Columbia south carolina or in Atlanta !!
That is what has happened to Ndiigbo. We need brave Ndiigbo not Cowards like us all.
mazi egwu kalu
Nnaemeka M Onumonu
> >
> > Ndeewo Agu.
> >
> > Finally Igbo is ready to take its place.
> > Chukwu gozie gi.
> > Unless we speak for ourselves, no one will.
> > Unless we stop the haemorrhage, we might as well kiss our way of life
> > goodbye, after all Igbo is becoming feudal in nature.
> >
> > So that this great idea will not perish, EKWE NCHE will donate an initial
> > sum of one hundred dollars to this great project. This is a non threatening
> > project, hopefully all our great organizations will pitch in in making
> > this project a reality. If all our brethren contribute at least ten dollars
> > there should be enough to make this dream a reality.
> >
> > Ndeewo.
> > Emeka ( Member Committee on Genocide, EKWE NCHE)
Ebube Odunukwe
Udo diri gi.
Umuigbo,
Udo diri anyi. Onye si na Umuigbo ama enwe udo, ya jiri isi jee ije.
Your proposal is very timely. Actually, it should have been yesteryear.
We know that many of these projects and memorializations have been in
the minds of Umuigbo, but we had many irons in the fire.
Now that we are converging on these issues, let us review what and what
may already be afoot, and identify those that need more hands.
I will later on, post a proposal for MAY 30, 1999 and the same date
thereafter, every year, for the MEMORIAL OF BIAFRA (NIGERIA/BIAFRA WAR).
Many Igbo groups have been observing this date as IGBO DAY, for the past
several years. To date, there has not been a coordinated observation of
this important date among ALL former Biafrans, as should be the case.
With the proper perspective, Nigeria (government) should be the
promulgator for the memorialization of Nigeria/Biafra as a mistake that
could have been avoided. Lives were lost on both sides. Many youngmen
who had no say in the matter, lost their lives fighting as Nigerian
soldiers. We do not ignore their losses.
Unfortunately, we can not speak for Nigeria.
The proposal (to follow) is detailed and requires more action than just
verbal or written response.
Anyone from Biafra, any friend of Biafra or anyone else who agrees that
respect is due to those who paid the supreme sacrifice BUT feels a knot
down his/her belly when Biafra is mentioned in the context of Nigeria,
should be excused without question.
Let no one scare you into believing that burying your own dead kith and
kin is a darring-do. It a duty, no matter how long postponed!
The proposal for the busts of Onwuatuegwu, Nzeogwu, Aguiyi-Ironsi and
many more, is very appropriate for serious consideration. That falls in
line with global memorialization of all the fallen Biafran heroes.
Ndewonu.
Ebube