Zik, Awolowo and the Indigenization Decree [Re: Ojukwu Clarifies , What Awo Said and His Role in Hi (fwd)] (fwd)
Mobolaji E. Aluko
Ken Okorie:
Please notice that I have added "Zik" to the title of this thread. You
will know why shortly. :-)
Anyway,sha, please accept my kudos for some of the statements which you
made below, namely:
QUOTE
For Awo - if it is good for the Yoruba, it is good for Nigeria; For
Ahmadu Bello - if it is good for the North, it is good for Nigeria; but
for Zik - if it is good for Nigeria, it is good for Ndi-Igbo......
What am I really saying? I believe it is absolutely impossible to be a
good Nigerian, without first being a good and sincere member of your
ethnic group, because it is the unseen hand of those competing ethnic
interests that will bring balance under the proper structural framework.
Ethnicity is too fundamental and true to Nigeria to be ignored or made
light of. But it can also be an instrument of progress. As such being
pre-occupied with one ethnicity and being a good, patriotic Nigerian are
not mutually exclusive.
...But the irony is that virtually every Nigerian recognizes and behaves
by these realities but want to appear oblivious to it. It is that refusal
to be sincere with each other that will continue to get in the way of our
progress as a nation.
UNQUOTE
So true, so very true! In fact, they have moved me to send by separate
email to this forum, an essay that I wrote back in February 1995 titled:
"The Content of our Discontent..." I trust, Ken Okorie, that you will
enjoy it, and will see that resonance that we both have over the true
state of our nation.
By the way, Awo was right, the Sardauna was right and Zik was right! That
is the paradox, the conundrum, that Nigeria was and is!
But I must SERIOUSLY take issue with you over the myth, bandied around for
a long time now, that "the indigenisation program catapulted the Yoruba
into their current position of dominance of Nigeria's industrial and
economic sector." THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
First, the indigenization exercise of 1971 was a shell, con-game played on
the nation which saw merely some of the FACES of the owners of about 589
businesses (concentrated in Lagos) changed, but not the SUBSTANTIVE
ownership. ORDINARY Nigerians could not afford the AVERAGE shares of
about $2-10,000 then, AND YOU ALREADY HAD TO BE RICH to take any
reasonable advantage of the shares being offered. At best, if there is
ANY success that can be assigned to the indigenization, it SOLIDIFIED the
hold of the already rich NIGERIANS, including naturally SOME ELITE
YORUBA, and CATAPULTED not the ordinary Nigerians, including the ordinary
Yoruba.
If we are to be completely honest and objective to ourselves, I would like
you to ENUMERATE to this forum WHAT foreign businesses were taken over in
the days following the implementation of the Indigenization decree in
1971, and how many of these were Yoruba WHO WERE NOT ALREADY RICH, and how
the wealth was spread to the Yoruba.
I am sure that you will agree that on strong indicator of wealth in any
country can be measured in the ownership of banks. The fact of the matter
is that the first two INDIGENOUS commercial banks and marketing boards
were created in Lagos by Yorub, the Western REgion Government, to be more
precise! Let me quote from a book entitled "Making Nigeria a Developed
Country" by Adedotun Oyeniyi (1994), p 30ff:
QUOTE
..It was concluded that whenever credit was extended in Africa, it was
done through the European Trading Company which naturally lent to produce
buyers and distributors rather than to independent African competitors.
It was for this reason that Africans found it difficult to finance their
business. In another development, after receiving a bad treatment from an
expatriate bank, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe stated that a bank manager treated him
in a very shoddy manner, he said:
"My pride was lost and I was bitter. He did not make me feel he
was talking business with me. He left me with the impression that
racial factors were at work. Unless the African businesssmen
established their own banks to call off this bluff, the economic
exploitation of Africans will continue with impunity. I told him
that I am yet to own a bank of my own and I am not dreaming."
UNQUOTE
This quote by Dr. Azikiwe shows that he was as much an economic
nationalist as Chief Obafemi Awolowo was, and being out of office in 1972
as Awo was, Zik could as well as contributed to INITIATING the
Indigenization decree of 1972! :-)
But let me go on with the quote from the book:
QUOTE
Thus, frustration and discrimination in business gave impetus to the
formation of indigenous banks. The first one was "The Industrial and
Commercial Bank' which was incorporated in England in May 1914. By 1929
it was both African owned and managed. Its area of operation was Lagos
before it went into voluntary liquidation in 1936. This bank had the same
Managing Director as the Industrial and Commercial Bank that liquidated in
1930. The failure of these banks were largely due to inadequate capital,
inexperienced management and inefficient and crude accounting method, as
well as the prevailing depressed economic conditions at the time.
UNQUOTE
In fact, of the 39 commercial banks registered in Nigeria from 1892 to
1962 (a period of 70 years), 23 failed or gave up their licences.
QUOTE
In spite of these woeful failure, the determination of Nigerians to own,
control and manage their own banks continued. However, succcessful
indigenous banking efforts in Nigeria thus began with the establishment of
the National Bank of Nigeria Ltd., in 1933. The bank started with a
nominal captial of British Pound 20,000 and the paid up capital grew from
BP 2,046 in 1936 to BP 29,108 in 1946. The deposits liabilities grew from
BP 7,830 in 1936 to BP 945,930 in 1946 and loans and advances grew from BP
9,486 to BP 220,000 during the same period. The subscribers to the
Memorandum of Association of National Bank were: (1) Dr. Akinola Maja
[NOTE: HE WAS THE MAIN WITNESS AGAINST CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO AT HIS
TREASON TRIAL IN 1962], (2) Akintunde Adesegbe (3) Theophilus Adebayo
Doherty; (4) Alfred Tunde Johnson, (5) Hamzat Adisa Subair, (6) Isaac
Ayoola Ogunlana and (7) Akinyemi Holloway.
The favourable outcome of the effect of the then Western Region of Nigeria
government in establishing the National Bank of Nigeria, the continuing
need to provide banking credits to the indigenous enterprises and the
buoyancy of the economic conditions during the post world-war years
encouraged others to establish indigenous banks.
UNQUOTE
Notice that the first INDIGENOUS bank was established by Yoruba. [When
THE WESTERN REGION GOVERNMENT became involved I dannot be sure, because
there was no such government as such in 1933! But I know that at some
point, the Western region government took over ownership of NBN.]
The last portion of the last paragraph depicts a UNIVERSAL TRUISM: that
during post-war years, after conflict and conflagaration has subsided,
there is generally ECONOMIC CONDITION BUOYANCY, and since those AFFECTLY
MOST BADLY from the war - in the Biafra-Nigeria civil war case, the
Ndiigbo - would just be struggling to regain their normal existence, it
would be MOST LIKELY that they would be least likely to take advantage of
the buoyant condition. It MAY have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with
DELIBERATE POLICY to shut them out.
QUOTE
The next bank was Agbonmagbe Bank, incorporated in 1945 as a private
company. The major subscribers to the Memo of Association were (1) Chief
Matthew Adekoya Okupe (Agbonmagbe) [NOTE: "AGBONMAGBE" IN YORUBA MEANS AN
ENDLESS SOURCE OF A RESOURCE", or in short "STINKINGLY RICH" :-) This is
the family root of Dr. Doyin Okupe, one of Obasanjo's presidential aides!]
and (2) his wife, Regina Adekoya Okupe. Until 1960, all shares in the
bank were owned by Okupe himself, his wife and son - Alade Okupe, when
they were unable to meet the required paid-up capital, and they were
approached by the government of Western Region which led to the Western
Marketing Board (WEMA) to take over the bank and got its name changed to
WEMA bank. The next indigenous bank was Nigerian Penny Bank founded in
1945 and failed in 1946.
UNQUOTE
Again, the forward-looking Western Region government, now UNDER CHIEF
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO in 1960 (at least until October 1), established the first
two indigenous banks in Nigeria! Let me now quote the banks which SURVIVED
until the EIGHT YEARS AFTER THE WAR:
QUOTE
Adapted from Table 7 of book quoted above
COMMERCIAL BANKS REGISTERED IN NIGERIA FROM 1892 - 1984
(Note from Aluko: I list here only those that survived are listed here,
established up to after twenty-four years AFTER the end of the
Nigeria-Biafra war)
Commercial Bank Date Established Remarks
1. African Banking Corporation 1892 Merged with BBWA
2. Bank of British West Africa 1894 Now First Bank of Nigeria
3. Barclays Bank DCO 1917 Now Union Bank of Nigeria
4. National Bank of Nigeria 1933 retains name
5. Agbonmagbe Bank 1945 Now WEMA Bank
6. African Continental Bank 1947 retains name; established
by the Eastern Region under
Zik
7. British and French Bank 1948 Now UBA Plc
8. Muslim Bank 1958
9. Banque de L'Afrique QUidentale 1959 Now IBWA, later Afribank
10. Bank of the North 1959
11. Bank of America NT & SA 1960 Now Savannah Bank
12. Chase Manhattan Bank 1961 Merged with FBN in 1965
13. Bank of India 1962 Now Allied Bank of Nig.
14. Arab Bank 1962 Now Nigeria-Arab Bank
15. Cooperative Bank of Western Nig1962 Now Cooperative Bank
16. Cooperative Bank of Eastern Nig1962 Now Cooperative & Commerce B.
------- Nigeria - Biafra War 1967 - 1970-----
17. Mercantile Bank Ltd. 1971
18. Pan African Bank 1971
19. New Nigeria Bank Lt. 1971
20. Kaduna Cooperative Bank 1974
21. Kano Cooperative Bank 1976
22. Societe Generale Bank 1977
23. Bank of Credit & Commerce Intl 1979
24. Owena Bank 1982
25. Progress Bank 1982
26. Lobi Bank 1982
27. Ibile Bank 1983
28. Sokoto Cooperative Bank 1983
29. Habib Nigeria Bank 1983
30. Credit Commercial de France B. 1984
31. Credit Lyonnais Commercial B. 1984
Source: Joe Umole, "Monetary and Banking Systems in Nigeria", Adi
Publishers Limited, Benin City, 1985. [As quoted by Oyeniyi's book]
UNQOUTE
An inspection of the above list, and understanding of the geographical and
ethnic center-of-gravity of these banks would indicate that banks and
owners of banks being the greatest repository of savings, they were in the
best position of taking advantage of indigenization decree. Even then,
the exercise was badly managed, and no credible data shows that much
advantage accrued to NIGERIANS as a result of it.
Finally, I still do not like the harshness of the 20 pounds allocation to
Ndiigbo after the war, but I have become VERY CAREFUL of facts that pass
as truths in Nigeria, particularlyly in relation to Biafra and
post-Biafra, that I intend to dig further into the matter, to see the
decree and its rationalizations, to have us consider what the alternatives
would have been granting, that the Nigerian government had ABSOLUTELLY no
control of Biafra's ability to print money indiscriminately, and then to
see what can be done at this late stage to assuage the pains associated
with the 20 pounds saga. After all, they could not just hand over One
Nigeria pound for One Bifaran Pound, but there should have been a happier
medium between that and a blanket 20 pounds!
But note: all the blame should not be laid at Awolowo's foot: it should
be laid at the foot of Gowon's regime. That would be most disingenous and
maliciuous otherwise, Awo being Finance Minister notwithstanding. The
quicker that is done, the earlier you will ensure that those who should
help will not pull their punches, and say, "Go ahead - make our day!"
That is the hard fact.
Best wishes all.
Bolaji Aluko
On Mon, 18 Sep 2000, Ken okorie wrote:
> Mr. Awofeso:
>
> It would help it we avoided assertions that we are not certain as to
> their accuracy. As Dr. Aluko has kindly reminded everyone, Pa Awo was
> not just the Finance Minister, as you suggest, but also the
> Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council. In my earlier response
> to Dr. Aluko I said the equivalent of prime minister because, as I
> remember, that was how some of the media at that time characterized Pa
> Awo's position in Gowon's government. Indeed I remember one analysis
> suggesting that the appointment was Gowon's assurance that the West
> would stand by him in the military action against the East. As such, Pa
> Awo was not just going to be in his cabinet just for the heck of it, or
> without sufficient latitude. Anyone familiar with Pa Awo's history
> cannot have much difficulty finding that analysis plausible.
>
> It does not require a great deal to understand that the point here is
> not who presided over the meetings of the Executive Council or whether
> the decisions in question were personal to Pa Awo. That would be as
> simple-minded as it is ridiculous. Indeed, the implication of such
> major decision occurring in a meeting that did not involve Gowon and his
> military junta would have been unthinkable and fatal for the makers.
>
> The objective factors for evaluating the 20 pounds, indigenization
> program, and related strategic moves to which Ndi-Igbo usually point
> should include:
>
> 1. timing
> 2. whose idea were they
> 3. how were they implemented, and
> 4. who were the beneficiaries
>
> I do not suppose anyone would argue that the indigenisation program
> catapulted the Yoruba into their current position of dominance of
> Nigeria's industrial and economic sector. The truth is that they were
> the ones in a position to take advantage of the opportunities (20 Pounds
> did not put many Ex-Biafrans in comparable vantage position), and the
> Northern counterparts could not even if they tried (there simply were
> not too many Alhaji Dantata's at the time). Or for that matter does
> anyone question that the 20 Pound policy was a major bonanza to the
> federal government in the post-war economy?
>
> The reality about Pa Awo is not necessarily that he was an Igbo hater. I
> have not asserted as much, despite that such characterization can be
> richly supported with credible evidence. Recall that he certainly
> engineered a number of programs and policies that were totally inimical
> and destructive of Igbo interests and well being (recall, for instance,
> his justifying starvation as a legitimate instrument of war when he knew
> that the victims of the economic blockade were vastly helpless children
> and other civilians). But the more significant attribute of Pa Awo is
> that he placed his constituency (the Yoruba) so much ahead of everything
> that one cannot help wondering about his nationalist credentials and
> commitment.
>
> Which is not to say that Awo was bad. Far from it. Infact, to my mind
> Awo was the perfect example that everyone should have followed because
> he and Ahmadu Bello appeared to understand Nigeria better than many of
> their counterparts...... ...certainly better than Zik. Consequently,
> their respective operating philosophies was as follows: For Awo - if it
> is good for the Yoruba, it is good for Nigeria; For Ahmadu Bello - if
> it is good for the North, it is good for Nigeria; but for Zik - if it is
> good for Nigeria, it is good for Ndi-Igbo.
>
> To my mind, Nigeria's problems of today stems from the fallacy of the
> Zik-type philosophy because it grossly misread the country and its
> makeup. This is also why I am always concerned about anyone describing
> himself as a "detribalized Nigerian", as President Obasanjo reportedly
> did. To me that term is hypocritical as it is meaningless.
>
> What am I really saying? I believe it is absolutely impossible to be a
> good Nigerian, without first being a good and sincere member of your
> ethnic group, because it is the unseen hand of those competing ethnic
> interests that will bring balance under the proper structural framework
> Ethnicity is too fundamental and true to Nigeria to be ignored or made
> light of. But it can also be an instrument of progress. As such being
> pre-occupied with one ethnicity and being a good, patriotic Nigerian are
> not mutually exclusive.
>
> I am sure some may find this a long, perhaps rambling reaction. But I
> strongly believe it is central to the various argumentation that are so
> common among Nigerians everywhere, including these forums. But the
> irony is that virtually every Nigerian recognizes and behaves by these
> realities but want to appear oblivious to it. It is that refusal to be
> sincere with each other that will continue to get in the way of our
> progress as a nation.
>
> Ken Okorie
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Mr Seyi Awofeso
> To: Ken okorie ; Mobolaji E. Aluko ; ekpuk isongo-iya
> Cc: ek...@wombat.eng.fsu.edu ; IG...@aol.com ; OKQu...@aol.com ; aog...@ix.netcom.com ; i...@usa.net ; Imeh Inyang ; naij...@egroups.com ; amael...@smartisp.com ; aaki...@acme.highpoint.edu ; Francis Ifejika Achike ; alat...@netzero.net ; AOr...@aol.com ; Bad...@aol.com ; Bo...@aol.com ; Da...@aol.com ; ebony...@my-deja.com ; ibn...@yahoo.com ; igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu ; In...@yorubanation.org ; LEK...@aol.com ; Lod...@aol.com ; mekw...@flash.net ; Ola...@aol.com ; oola...@dcsmservermed.sc.edu ; owens...@camh.net ; quincynet-...@egroups.com ; Tajol...@aol.com ; Tun...@aol.com ; Yorubas-...@egroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2000 4:06 PM
> Subject: Re: Awolowo and the Indigenization Decree [Re: Ojukwu Clarifies What Awo Said and His Role in Hi (fwd)]
>
>
> Dear Ken Okorie,
>
> Awolowo's position in Gowon's government was " Minister of Finance".
>
> General Gowon had a substantive military deputy head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces.
>
> However, at a Federal Executive Council, consisting of all Ministers, Awolowo could preside as the most senior cabinet Minister, but only in the absence of General Gowon.
>
> There was no record of General Gowon ever being absent at a Cabinet meeting during the civil war.
>
> You may therefore make no logical inference about any specific "Awolowo's decision", during or after the war, for none existed within the hierarchy of the sovereign Federal military government.
>
> With esteem,
> Seyi Olu Awofeso
>
>
>
> ---- Original Message -----
> From: Ken okorie
> To: Mobolaji E. Aluko ; ekpuk isongo-iya
> Cc: ek...@wombat.eng.fsu.edu ; IG...@aol.com ; OKQu...@aol.com ; aog...@ix.netcom.com ; i...@usa.net ; Imeh Inyang ; naij...@egroups.com ; amael...@smartisp.com ; aaki...@acme.highpoint.edu ; Francis Ifejika Achike ; alat...@netzero.net ; AOr...@aol.com ; awo...@cyberspace.net.ng ; Bad...@aol.com ; Bo...@aol.com ; Da...@aol.com ; ebony...@my-deja.com ; ibn...@yahoo.com ; igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu ; In...@yorubanation.org ; LEK...@aol.com ; Lod...@aol.com ; mekw...@flash.net ; Ola...@aol.com ; oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu ; owens...@camh.net ; quincynet-...@egroups.com ; Tajol...@aol.com ; Tun...@aol.com ; Yorubas-...@egroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2000 11:44 PM
> Subject: Re: Awolowo and the Indigenization Decree [Re: Ojukwu Clarifies What Awo Said and His Role in Hi (fwd)]
>
>
> Dr. Aluko:
>
> Recall that I said the equivalent of "prime minister" to describe Chief
> Awo's position in the Gowon cabinet simply because I do not immediately
> recall the exact title to that position. Whatever it was, would you
> disagree that no other civilian has ever occupied similar position, either
> in title or responsibility, in any subsequent military government? Do you
> also concede that there was some significance to that set up? Finally, do
> you disagree that Pa Awo was of a unique calibre where his role could not
> indeed be "down-played" or "up-played"? .........Unless of course one simply
> wants to dance around facts.
>
>
>
> Ken Okorie
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mobolaji E. Aluko" <mal...@scs.howard.edu>
> To: "ekpuk isongo-iya" <ndug...@naijanet.com>
> Cc: <ek...@wombat.eng.fsu.edu>; "Ken okorie" <okorie@usafricaonlinecom>;
> <IG...@aol.com>; <OKQu...@aol.com>; <aog...@ix.netcom.com>; <i...@usa.net>;
> "Imeh Inyang" <dj...@freenet.carleton.ca>; <naij...@egroups.com>;
> <amael...@smartisp.com>; <aaki...@acme.highpoint.edu>; "Francis Ifejika
> Achike" <ach...@medicine.med.um.edu.my>; <alat...@netzero.net>;
> <AOr...@aol.com>; <awo...@cyberspace.net.ng>; <Bad...@aol.com>;
> <Bo...@aol.com>; <Da...@aol.com>; <ebony...@my-deja.com>;
> <ibn...@yahoo.com>; <igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu>;
> <In...@yorubanation.org>; <LEK...@aol.com>; <Lod...@aol.com>;
> <mekw...@flash.net>; <Ola...@aol.com>; <oola...@dcsmserver.med.scedu>;
> <owens...@camh.net>; <quincynet-...@egroups.com>;
> <Tajol...@aol.com>; <Tun...@aol.com>; <Yorubas-Community@egroupscom>
> Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2000 4:03 PM
> Subject: Re: Awolowo and the Indigenization Decree [Re: Ojukwu Clarifies
> What Awo Said and His Role in Hi (fwd)]
>
>
> >
> >
> > nduguh Imeh:
> >
> > Nobody is downplaying Awo's role as Finance Minister, but nobody should
> > UP-PLAY his role either, and title him as "Prime Minister" so as to say
> > that the buck of responsibility for Gowon regime's policies lie at Awo's
> > feet - and by implication, at the feet of the Yoruba people that he was
> > leader of. Nobody will sit around to accept that, certainly not this
> > writer.
> >
> > Up until when I ACTUALLY checked that Awolowo left Gowon's regime in 1971,
> > I was under the impression that the Indigenization decree was promulgated
> > during his presence in that cabinet. THAT IS NOT THE CASE - and yet we
> > are now being told, including apparently by you, that since it fit into
> > either Awo's alleged "anti-Igbo" proclivity or his economic-nationalistic
> > tendencies, the decree SMELLS like what he might have motivated whether in
> > or out of office. And since it is Awo, he should be guilty as charged.
> >
> > That, nduguh Imeh, is disingenuous, don't you think?
> >
> > I once asked whether the "Okporoko" (stock fish) banning by the Federal
> > government affected only the sellers and not the buyers! One should also
> > ask what PERCENTAGE of the 8 or 9 million Ndiigbo at that time were
> > SELLERS of Okporoko for it to be described as an "anti-Igbo" measure.
> > But such is the lack of objectivity when a dog will, must be called a bad
> > name.
> >
> > All the data about the 1972 indigenization decree (or even 1973; it might
> > even be a 1973 decree, as some facts are indicating!) show that it was an
> > ABYSMAL failure FOR THE WHOLE NATION, and was targetted against nobody in
> > particular. This was why it was SIGNIFICANTLY revamped by Obasanjo in
> > 1977. But all evidence to those effects are ignored, because it serves
> > the purpose to demonize Awo in respect to the indigenization decree and
> > its alleged effect on Ndiigbo.
> >
> > It is, I daresay, a shame.
> >
> >
> > Bolaji Aluko
> >
> >
> > On Sun, 17 Sep 2000, ekpuk isongo-iya wrote:
> >
> > > Bolaji and Egwu:
> > >
> > > Just to set the record straight, Ukpabi Asika was a civilian in Gowon's
> > > military government, but he was not a "lone Igbo voice" in the cabinet.
> > > I believe J.O.J. Okezie (Federal Agriculture Commissioner) was also in
> > > Gowon's cabinet. This clarification does not take away the import of the
> > > statement that they may not have considered it prudent to oppose
> > > policies that could be termed anti-Igbo, if not for the intention, at
> > > least clearly for the result. Let me digress a bit here by noting that,
> > > I hope we can also grant this logic when we argue that in the
> > > consultation process preceding the declaration of Biafra, it is not
> > > credible to argue that the presence of the "lone" voices of Effiong or
> > > N. U. Akpan (or their decision not to resign) nullifies some of the
> > > problems outlined regarding the inclusion of minorities (Ikot Nnyin) in
> > > Biafra.
> > >
> > > On the so-called Nigerianization Decree, Egwu's point is more plausible
> > > that policies are not initiated and implemented overnight, especially in
> > > the absence of cabinet deliberations which led to the implementation of
> > > that decree. If anything, this policy was consistent with the
> > > "nationalist" approach of Awo's political philosophy than the
> > > (internationalist) capitalist philosophy. But as to whether or not Awo
> > > was instrumental to it, we need further research and evidence. I also
> > > have difficulties with Awo's role being downplayed given that he carried
> > > the Finance potfolio.
> > >
> > > No one can deny the fact that by omission or commission, this policy
> > > affected Ndiigbo (as an ethnic group) adversely. But it also affected
> > > others who could not afford to buy shares by virtue of their economic
> > > status. Those who argue that it was merely an economic decision overlook
> > > the fact that, any national economic policy which affects adversely a
> > > large section of the nation's polity, could (among other reasons) be
> > > because the initiators are bad policy makers, that the policy is
> > > designed to cater strictly to the needs of a few elites, or at best to
> > > intentionally exclude a large section of the populace. As you can see,
> > > all three point to the same thing - a bad policy. It is difficult to
> > > reconcile the £20 "allowance" against the Indigenisation Decree which
> > > allowed Nigerians more shares to foreign owned businesses, while not
> > > ensuring that a lot of the citizens had the means to share in that
> > > acquisition. But having said that, should what was considered a national
> > > development policy have been kept on the shelf until all members of the
> > > nation were ready? I am raising all these to highlight the fact that
> > > this issue cannot be resolved by recourse to one side of the argument,
> > > but that we need to weigh both sides and acknowledge where mistakes were
> > > made, so that we can avoid repeating them in future. Best wishes.
> > >
> > > ndugu Imeh
> > >
> > > --- Egwu Kalu <ek...@wombat.eng.fsu.edu>
> > > > wrote:
> > > >'Bolaji:
> > > >
> > > >I hope you are not here suggesting that government policies are enacted
> > > >over night. If you believe that the Yorubanization &
> > > >Fulanization/Hausanization (fraudently called "nigerianization"
> > > >or "indigenization") decree was conceptualized in 1972 (or better yet
> after
> > > >Awo resigned from the "federal" executive council in 1971), then you
> are
> > > >alone with your supporters. By the
> > > >way, if Awo left mr. gowon's administration in 1971, what was the basis
> of
> > > >his (Awo's) disagreement with mr. murtala mohammed over the 1973
> census
> > > >figures? Did he disagree with mr. mohammed on his personal standing or
> as a
> > > >member of the government? I read somewhere about this disagreement
> playing
> > > >some role in the 1979 presidential election mathematics.
> > > >
> > > >Even if Awo left mr. gowon's government in 1971, those of us that know
> > > >Awo's understanding of the ethnic politics of nigeria believe that the
> > > >indigenization decree smelled and sounded like his
> > > >ideas. You can twist and turn as much as you like, the facts are there.
> > > >Better still, ask mr. gowon (he is still alive) to tell you whose idea
> led
> > > >to the decree. mr. gowon is the best witness Ndiigbo have to wit.
> > > >
> > > >On another issue, you suggested that ukpabi asika, a civilian and lone
> Igbo
> > > >voice (obscure professor at UI before 1967) in the military council
> after
> > > >the war should have influenced decisions at the SMC or else resign.
> That
> > > >suggestion made me think why Professor Aluko did not resign from the
> > > >services of mr. abacha. Probably, Professor Aluko's understanding of
> mr.
> > > >abacha's intentions might have been the same understanding that
> informed
> > > >mr. ukpabi asika to stay put in mr. gowon's administration inspite of
> > > >several anti-Igbo policies that the government pursued.
> > > >
> > > >Egwu
> > > >At 07:37 PM 9/16/00 -0400, Mobolaji E. Aluko wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>Ken Okorie:
> > > >>
> > > >>I have been doing some further research.....
> > > >>
> > > >>Please note that Chief Obafemi Awolowo left Gowon's cabinet by May 31,
> > > >>1971 (within 18 months of the end of the Biafra-Nigeria civil war),
> while
> > > >>the indigenization decree (properly named the Nigerian Enterprise
> > > >>Promotion Decree) was promulgated in 1972! (I am trying to nail down
> the
> > > >>month!)
> > > >>
> > > >>That is another nail in the coffin of those who blame Awo for the
> > > >>indigenization decree and the supposed "enrichment" of the West and
> North
> > > >>over the East.
> > > >>
> > > >>The truth will eventually out!
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>Bolaji Aluko
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>On Fri, 15 Sep 2000, Ken okorie wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >>> Dr. Aluko:
> > > >>>
> > > >>> I will always accord the benefit of the doubt, especially on
> matters of
> > > >>> intellect. But your attempting to defend or rationalize Pa Awo's
> role on
> > > >>> the 20 Pounds to every Biafran is truly, truly sorry. I could not
> imagine
> > > >>> anyone, including you, being that extreme. Was Awolowo not the
> Finance
> > > >>> Minister (or whatever the title then) as well as the equivalent of
> Prime
> > > >>> Minister in the so-called Executive Council in the Gowon junta? I
> suppose
> > > >>> I should not expect any less gabbage on the timing of Indigenization
> decree
> > > >>> either!
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Now I'm reminded how much waste of precious time it is to try to
> make sense
> > > >>> on some of these forums!!!!!
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Ken Okorie
> > > >>>
> > > >>> ----- Original Message -----
> > > >>> From: "Mobolaji E. Aluko" <mal...@scs.howard.edu>
> > > >>> To: <IG...@aol.com>
> > > >>> Cc: <oko...@usafricaonline.com>; <OKQu...@aol.com>;
> > > >>> <aog...@ix.netcom.com>; <i...@usa.net>; "Imeh Inyang"
> > > >>> <dj...@freenet.carleton.ca>; <naij...@egroups.com>;
> > > >>> <amael...@smartisp.com>; <aaki...@acme.highpoint.edu>; "Francis
> Ifejika
> > > >>> Achike" <ach...@medicine.med.um.edu.my>; <alat...@netzero.net>;
> > > >>> <AOr...@aol.com>; <awo...@cyberspace.net.ng>; <Badmus@aolcom>;
> > > >>> <Bo...@aol.com>; <Da...@aol.com>; <ebony...@my-deja.com>;
> > > >>> <ibn...@yahoo.com>; <igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu>;
> > > >>> <In...@yorubanation.org>; <LEK...@aol.com>; <Lod...@aol.com>;
> > > >>> <mekw...@flash.net>; <Ola...@aol.com>;
> <oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>;
> > > >>> <owens...@camh.net>; <quincynet-...@egroups.com>;
> > > >>> <Tajol...@aol.com>; <Tun...@aol.com>;
> <Yorubas-...@egroups.com>
> > > >>> Sent: Friday, September 15, 2000 5:42 AM
> > > >>> Subject: Re: Ojukwu Clarifies What Awo Said and His Role in Hi (fwd)
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Chuk:
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Thanks for your email.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > (1) Harsh as the 20 pounds decision was (I am still digging for
> the
> > > >>> > decree and its circumstances), Awo was not the ONLY person to make
> the
> > > >>> > decision, nor do we have ANY record for now that he suggested it.
> The
> > > >>> > Federal Executive Council under Gowon had Ukpabi Asika as a
> member, and we
> > > >>> > did not hear of him kicking against it or resigning. But it suits
> some
> > > >>> > people's primordial bias to blame the decision ONLY on Awolowo,
> and, by
> > > >>> > implication, on the Yoruba. Even you join in by claiming "...by no
> other
> > > >>> > than Chief Awolowo". You are plain wrong on that count.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > (2) You rightly touch on acts of kindness by individual Yoruba
> and other
> > > >>> > non-Igbo within the past 30 years during and since the Biafra. To
> back up
> > > >>> > your assertion about the generally warm welcome of returning
> Biafrans by
> > > >>> > the STATE University of Ife up (by the way, the FEDERAL University
> of
> > > >>> > Ibadan was equally and similarly charitable), let me excerpt
> perhaps the
> > > >>> > most heart-warming letter that I received during my brother's
> recent
> > > >>> > Senate travails, after my open letter to him:
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > QUOTE
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 10:42:43 -0700
> > > >>> > From: "Dr. D." <e...@e...m...com>
> > > >>> > To: mal...@scs.howard.edu
> > > >>> > Cc: "Dr. D.." <e...@m....com>
> > > >>> > Subject: Re: MONDAY-QUARTERBACKING: AN OPEN LETTER TO MY BROTHER,
> > > >>> > SENATOR GBENGA ALUKO: "Remember the Son of Whom You Are - and
> Please
> > > >>> > Return to Your Legislative Functions"
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Mobolaji:
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Well said and what a brotherly advice. Can I have you as a brother
> too?
> > > >>> > The Igbos say that "nwanne di na mba", literally meaning that
> "brother is
> > > >>> > foreign land". In this case you are right their at home for
> Gbenga. He
> > > >>> > does not have to go far to find a good brother. However by the
> same token,
> > > >>> > you could be my brother in a foreign land. Serious!
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > I really sympathize with Gbenga and your family for the effect of
> all the
> > > >>> > happenings in the Nigerian senate. I am also certain that he will
> recover
> > > >>> > from it soon, especially with the good advice you have given him.
> There is
> > > >>> > always a reason for everything that happen to us in life. Gbenga
> is young
> > > >>> > and I am sure he has learnt some lessons from this saga that will
> make him
> > > >>> > a better senator and a better person.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > I don't know if I told you this before, but I always have a warm
> feeling
> > > >>> > about the Aluko family eventhough I only know you and your mother.
> Without
> > > >>> > your mother's intervention in 1970, I may not have been admitted
> into
> > > >>> > University of Ife for Chemical Engineering. Against the wishes of
> Dr.
> > > >>> > ....., she stood for the truth, even though Dr. .... never forgave
> me for
> > > >>> > it and continued to be after my case even at graduation in
> 1975..........
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Without diverting too much, my point is that I always have that
> soft spot
> > > >>> > and respect for your family, because I believe your parents must
> have
> > > >>> > taught you guys to stand for the truth always. So I believe you
> and I
> > > >>> > believe that Gbenga is telling the truth. Unfortunately the
> political
> > > >>> > system in Nigeria stinks.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Nevertheless, keep the faith and this shall come to pass. We
> continue to
> > > >>> > hope that better things will happen in the future and that one day
> in
> > > >>> > Nigeria, we will operate a true political arrangement, where all
> ethnic
> > > >>> > nationalities will feel like they belong and live in peace and
> progress.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Your distant brother,
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > D....O...
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > UNQUOTE
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > It was true that my mother, Mrs. Joyce Aluko, was the Chief
> Admissions
> > > >>> > Officer at the University during the years 1969 - 1975 or so, and
> it was
> > > >>> > University of Ife POLICY, under her admissions leadership, that
> gave
> > > >>> > SPECIAL DISPENSATION to Biafra returnees, some WITHOUT any
> authenticated
> > > >>> > certificates, just a letter of certification from their principals
> would
> > > >>> > sometimes do, and good grades from the Ife concessional entrance
> > > >>> > examination.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > I myself entered the University of Ife in September of 1971, and
> in my own
> > > >>> > class, there were five (Ukaegbu, Okonkwo, Adigweme (RIP, car
> accident),
> > > >>> > Okeke (RIP, car accident), one other name that skips my mind now),
> > > >>> > possibly six Igbo students out of about 14 or 15 of us (others
> included
> > > >>> > Adekambi, Aluko, Dayo, Makanjuola, Akeredolu, Laoye, Ayeni,
> Olagunju,
> > > >>> > Ekundayo, maybe one other person). Granted that Ife was a STATE
> > > >>> > university, and it was only one of two universities granting
> Chemical
> > > >>> > ENgineering program (the other being ABU at that time; UniLag was
> to start
> > > >>> > about two years later or so, I believe), that was a pretty good
> fraction
> > > >>> > of Igbo students. It was healthy, non-bitter classroom rivalry,
> and quite
> > > >>> > frankly, I did not hear of this "Yoruba did this, Igbo did that"
> until
> > > >>> > party politics began round about 1979!
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > (3) The greatest annoyance that I constantly have is that many of
> our
> > > >>> > Ndiigbo friends write as if Awolowo was the ONLY YORUBA that God
> created.
> > > >>> > THE MAN IS DEAD, THE MAN IS DEAD! Get over it, the man is dead!
> It is an
> > > >>> > OBSESSION with Awolowo by some Ndiigbo that is killing some souls
> softly.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > (4) As I have written before, if the constant whining (pardon the
> word!)
> > > >>> > over Awolowo by many of our Ndiigbo on this Net and elsewhere -
> and
> > > >>> > particularly by many Ndiigbo in the Diaspora - is what most Yoruba
> > > >>> > complain about the Ndiigbo about. By now, everybody knows what
> the
> > > >>> > complaints are about. What is not known is what SPECIFICALLY the
> Yoruba
> > > >>> > are required to do. But if it is to get the Yoruba to repudiate
> Awolowo,
> > > >>> > or to get the Yoruba leadership to come to Enugu to "dobale" for
> the
> > > >>> > Ndiigbo over real and imagined injustices, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN,
> not in my
> > > >>> > life-time nor that of many reading these electrons. Both of us
> Ndiigbo and
> > > >>> > OmoYoruba must be prepared to make sacrifices AND respect each
> other. No
> > > >>> > heckling, no lies.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > I better stop here.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Best wishes.
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > Bolaji Aluko
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > On Thu, 14 Sep 2000 IG...@aol.com wrote:
> > > >>> >
> > > >>> > > My learned friends and Professors:
> > > >>> > > I have always said it is immaterial who released Chief
> Obafemi
> > > >>> Awolowo
> > > >>> > > from Calabar prison. What is even of more material importance is
> this;
> > > >>> how
> > > >>> > > was he able to stay alive within and during the period before he
> was
> > > >>> released
> > > >>> > > from Jail?
> > > >>> > > It was the Minister of Internal affairs and Chief Inspector
> of
> > > >>> Prisons
> > > >>> > > who used his power to locate Chief Obafemi Awolowo where no harm
> will
> > > >>> befall
> > > >>> > > him. The politics of the time was that Chief Awolowo would have
> been
> > > >>> harmed
> > > >>> > > if he was placed in the North or the West where mortal enemies
> would
> > > >>> have
> > > >>> > > obviously been able to harm him.
> > > >>> > > Professor Aluko I, who came to the East during those days of
> mayhem
> > > >>> in
> > > >>> > > the West would attest to the fact that the Igbos bye and large
> were very
> > > >>> > > hospitable to them.
> > > >>> > > In fact in 1970, immediately after the war, it was the
> University of
> > > >>> Ife
> > > >>> > > of all the western universities who gave admission to people of
> eastern
> > > >>> > > origin pending the release of there school certificate. Mrs.
> Aluko was
> > > >>> the
> > > >>> > > registrar for admissions in those years (Professor Aluko II
> confirm that
> > > >>> I am
> > > >>> > > correct). I believe it was a reciprocal gesture for all the
> times she
> > > >>> and her
> > > >>> > > family lived in Enugu/Nsukka(including Bolaji?) that made her so
> > > >>> receptive to
> > > >>> > > the plight of East Central State Students at the University of
> Ife
> > > >>> during
> > > >>> > > those days in 1970. Mrs. Aluko could have found many reasons
> like other
> > > >>> > > universities in Nigeria then to have refused to give
> consideration to
> > > >>> those
> > > >>> > > stranded students.
> > > >>> > > We have a saying in Igbo land that the hen never forgets the
> cock
> > > >>> who
> > > >>> > > kept it warm during the cold season.
> > > >>> > > Without casting aspersion to the reciprocity of gestures,
> compare that
> > > >>> with
> > > >>> > > the debate whether Ojukwu or whoever pardoned Chief Obafemi
> Awolowo.
> > > >>> Would
> > > >>> > > that have necessitated the 20 dollar largesse which we were
> blessed with
> > > >>> at
> > > >>> > > the end of the civil war by no other than Chief Awolowo?
> > > >>> > > Let us move forward and not beat the issue any longer.
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > > Chuk Igwe
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > > In a message dated 9/14/00 5:16:39 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
> > > >>> > > oko...@usafricaonline.com writes:
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > > << Dear Dr. Aluko:
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > > I would not be so presumptious as to suggest that you have not
> already
> > > >>> seen
> > > >>> > > the attached axcerpts from a Tell magazine interview widely
> published
> > > >>> in
> > > >>> > > Nigeriworld and elsewhere.
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > > The only reason I send this is that it directly addresses our
> exchanges
> > > >>> last
> > > >>> > > October 27 and 28 on Naijanet, namely (1) did Awo actually say
> to
> > > >>> Ojukwu
> > > >>> > > that the West would go if the East did and (2) Did Ojukwu
> release Awo
> > > >>> from
> > > >>> > > Calabar prison and give him safe passage to Ikene.
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > > Besides the imperative to keep history sanitized, I did then
> observe
> > > >>> that
> > > >>> > > this statement has been seen by many as the genesis or at least
> a major
> > > >>> > > grounding point for the mistrust between Igbo and Yoruba.
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > > Hope all is well with you and thanks for your time.
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> > > Ken Okorie
> > > >>> > > >>
> > > >>> > >
> > > >>> >
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > >
> > > _____________________________________________________________
> > > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://naijanet.com
> > >
>
The Millennium Librarian
Howdy?
Is there anyway you can have a discussion with Ndiigbo on this net or any
other Internet discussion group WITHOUT bringing Zik's name into it,
especially when he's WAS NOT even in the picture?
I'm just curious to know why this discussion about Awo and Ndiigbo had to
INCLUDE Zik all of a sudden?
BTW, I'm enjoying the thread until the introduction of Zik.
ndeewo!
-uzo
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Custodians of Knowledge. Visit your Local Library today and increase your
Knowledge for Knowledge is Power."
----Uzoma Onyemaechi, 2000.
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Mobolaji E. Aluko
Ken Okorie:
1. First I have never "previously quibbled over whether [NDIIGBO] lost
one or two million of our people in that genocide". If you choose to join
those who lie (ie deliberately speak the untruth) about my positions on
that war, I will consign you to the unprivileged ones with whom I have no
discussions. I mean that SERIOUSLY, because whether one, one thousand, or
on million people, I have ALWAYS maintained that that war was a SENSELLSS
one that should not have been fought.
2. About Zik, Awo and Sardauna:
(i) Zik led Igbo Peoples Union at the same time as leading NCNC,
designed to be a national party.
(ii) Awo led Egbe Omo Oduduwa at the same time as leading AG,
designed to be a national party.
(iii) Nothing could be clearer - Ahmadu Bello led NORTHERN Peoples
congress, never designed to be a national party.
(iv) Zik, Awo and Sardauna became Premiers of their separate regions
AT VIRTUALLY THE SAME TIME!
(v) If 1960, Zik left the Eastern Region governorship to go to Lagos,
first as Governor-General, then as President, as head of a party
(NCNC) in collaboration with NPC. He left Dr. Michael Okpara
behind in Enugu as Governor who remained loyyal. Awo left the
the Western Region governorship to go to Lagos AS LEADER OF THE
FEDERAL OPPOSITION. He left behind Chief SL Akintola in Ibadan
who later formed an alliance with NPC and some renegade Western
NCNC! On the other hand, Sardauna STAYED BEHIND in Kaduna
as Governor-General of the North, but sent Tafewa Balewa to
Lagos as Prime Minister!
So Ken Okorie, ARE WE SO BLINDED by ethnic sentiment to see the
similitarities between Awo and Zik, and yet perptuate this myth that all
of Zik's probelms was that he was a nationalist, and Awo was a tribalist!
Elsewhere, I have written a LONG ARTICLE to indicate that Zik's problem -
to my mind, was that he was in many ways, unprincipled and selfish and
feaful of physical pain (as in imprisonments, etc.), just three unsavory
characteristics in his otherwise fine gentlemanly mien. For that
assessment, some have accused me of being "Igbo-phobic", for which I have
said, "Carry on, curse me o!".
3. It is very clear that you and I will interprete the effects of the
indigenization decree differently. My position is that THE VERY ESSENCE
OF WAR makes it difficult for the DEFEATED (forget "no vanquished, no
victor" myth) to resume their former position in a rapid manner, because
NO MATTER THE LEVEL OF MAGNANIMITY, there is still concern that THE WAR
MAY NOT BE QUITE OVER YET! This is the crux of the Ndiigbo dilemna in
Nigeria at the present time, if one must be honest with our Ndiigbo
compatriots. This is where my Ndiigbo compatriots make a big mistake when
they compare their situation with that of the Jews, who are dispersed
around the world and fought no war or territory or secession in Nazi
Germany, and continue to press their claims for reparation in measured
manner. This is where I was unhappy that it was a tactical mistake to
submit a bill of N8 trillion to the Oputa panel: it should just have been
left in terms of DOCUMENTING the concerns. Until we all solve that
dilemna, A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL REMAIN UNHAPPY IN NIGERIA!
4. Finally, I will indeed dig further on the 20 pounds business. But I
will, as usual, let the facts take me to where it will, without fear or
favor.
Best wishes always. I probably am done with this indigenization business
- for now.
Bolaji Aluko
On Mon, 18 Sep 2000, Ken okorie wrote:
> Dr. Aluko:
>
> In the rare moments when we let history speak for itself without too much
> analyzing, there can't be much disagreeing. So I too commend your efforts.
> I worry though when you know the facts but want to persist on justifying a
> contrary, pre-determined position. That is the framework in which I will
> react to some of your points.
>
> No, Zik could not have been right if Awo and Ahmadu Bello were also right.
> Zik's philosophy (if it is good for Nigeria, it will be good for Ndi-Igbo)
> was the direct opposite of what these other two leaders stood for. Or may
> be "right" is the wrong word. If so, try realistic. You cannot be sailing
> counter current with everyone as Zik did and expect to arrive at the same
> destination. In the end, what did Zik achieve for his people? A ceremonial
> Governor-general and later President with absolutely no powers? At any
> point in the history of independent Nigeria, both Awo and Ahmadu Bello were
> several degrees more powerful than Zik (including Zik the President), and
> both achieved more for their people.
>
> On matters of the economy and control thereof. The role of banks and
> financial institutions in general, including their ownership, in shaping and
> controlling an economy is so obvious, I had to wonder why you needed to
> labor so much to make that point. All one needs do is look at the Jewish
> example in America.
> Yet there is a whole lot more to it than just owning banks. Moreso in a
> place like Nigeria where the economy revolves around the government.
>
> That aside, some of your points strike me as rather interesting because they
> succinctly underscore the problem Ndi-Igbo have with the indigenisation
> program. The only significance to the argument that the program had
> little value because only the already rich were able to take advantage of
> its limited benefits is that it clarifies the Igbo concern. First, it was
> absolutely crafty and patently unfair to scheme the indigenisation program
> (timing and other aspects) in a manner that did not give everyone equal
> chance or opportunity, but patently left the Easterners with no fighting
> chance. By design, the indigenisation program was intended to preclude any
> level of participation whatsoever by the emerging 20- Pound-rich Easterners.
> This was no accident. That is what makes it wrong.
>
> If only few already-rich Yoruba (and not the masses) benefited, I should
> simply remind that before the war, there were also "already-rich Ndi-Igbo",
> who could have joined with their fellow Yoruba elite, even if to a lesser
> degree, but for the one-size-fit all 20-Pound jacket. Again, the injustice
> here is that the glass ceiling was carefully crafted to exclude every former
> Biafran, including those who otherwise would have the capacity.
>
> The fact which you SERIOUSLY took issue with, characterized as a myth and "
> ABSOLUTELY FALSE" is so true, you must rethink. To help you do so, let me
> remind you that historically, there has always been a level of
> competitiveness between the Yoruba and the Igbo. Initially, this
> competition was intellectually rooted, was healthy, and enabled everyone to
> aim and achieve higher. That was how Kings College Lagos became great.
> Indeed, some of it was also evident when one compared the activities of Awo
> in the West to those of Okpara in the East. Over time, as the Yoruba
> became ideologically Action Group and in opposition, and the East
> predominantly NCNC often allying with the Hausa-Fulani NPC ideologues, that
> competition became politicized. Everything began to be seen in zero sum
> game terms whereby the gains of one was interpreted as the loss of the
> other.
>
> The crises that followed the 1966 coup displaced Ndi-Igbo to the advantage
> of the Yoruba who then consolidated their gains. Look at the civil service,
> the major parasatals like NNPC, the private sector like Mobil, Shell, etc.
> This, to my mind, is the root of the several inimical policies of which the
> indigenisation program is only an example.
>
> Ordinarily, I would encourage your further inquiry on the matter of the 20
> pounds so we can all learn. (After all, Gowon has still never told us how
> much he spent to prosecute his police action or what commitments were made
> to who). But when I recall your previously quibbling over whether we lost
> one or two million of our people in that genocide, and sometimes on this
> forum persons who never suffered the slightest inconvenience from the war
> questioned the veracity of bombs thrown at our churches and schools, raids
> on our markets, shelling of our civilian populations, I can't help being
> skeptical. In other words, I hope your research does not uncover something
> that tells this forum that the 20-Pounds was, borrowing your language,
> another one of those "facts that pass as truths in Nigeria, particularly in
> relation to Biafra and post-Biafra".
>
> Finally, I must suggest to anyone who cares, that the acts and statements of
> a Pa Awo cannot be dismissed as his personal views, having no implication or
> consequence on the people who revered him oh-so much and their relations
> with others. We, the Igbo people did not personalize or compartmentalize
> the acts and words of our own leaders who meant just as much to us......
> Ojukwu and Okpara, for example. And this is different from saying that
> there are individual Ndi-igbo who have problems with some of the actions or
> words of these leaders. Good day.
>
>
> Ken Okorie
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mobolaji E. Aluko" <mal...@scs.howard.edu>
> To: "Ken okorie" <oko...@usafricaonline.com>
> Cc: "The Quincy Group" <aaki...@acme.highpoint.edu>; "Francis Ifejika
> Achike" <ach...@medicine.med.um.edu.my>; <alat...@netzero.net>;
> <amael...@smartisp.com>; <aog...@ix.netcom.com>; <AOr...@aol.com>;
> <awo...@cyberspace.net.ng>; <Bad...@aol.com>; <Bo...@aol.com>;
> <da...@aol.com>; "Imeh Inyang" <dj...@freenet.carleton.ca>;
> <ek...@wombat.eng.fsu.edu>; <Fela...@aol.com>;
> <genera...@freedom98.org>; <ibn...@yahoo.com>; <IG...@aol.com>;
> <In...@yorubanation.org>; <koye...@morehouse.edu>; <LEK...@aol.com>;
> <Lod...@aol.com>; <LOluk...@aol.com>; <naij...@egroups.com>;
> <ndug...@naijanet.com>; "Nigerian NewsGroups"
> <akwa-cr...@lists.stanford.edu>; "IgboNet"
> <igbo...@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>; "Rivnet" <RIV...@siue.edu>;
> <yorub...@onelist.com>; "Nowa Omoigui" <now...@yahoo.com>;
> <OKQu...@aol.com>; <Ola...@aol.com>; <oluok...@msn.com>;
> <oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>; <o...@randomc.com>; <owens...@camh.net>;
> <quincynet-...@egroups.com>; <Tajol...@aol.com>;
> <Tun...@aol.com>; <tun...@netzero.net>; <Walea...@aol.com>;
> <wen...@oceanfree.net>; <Wick...@aol.com>; <Yorubas-Community@egroupscom>
> Sent: Monday, September 18, 2000 9:38 AM
> Subject: Zik, Awolowo and the Indigenization Decree [Re: Ojukwu Clarifies ,
> What Awo Said and His Role in Hi (fwd)] (fwd)
>
>
> >
> >
> > Ken Okorie:
> >
> > Please notice that I have added "Zik" to the title of this thread. You
> > will know why shortly. :-)
> >
> > Anyway,sha, please accept my kudos for some of the statements which you
> > made below, namely:
> >
> >
> > QUOTE
> >
> > For Awo - if it is good for the Yoruba, it is good for Nigeria; For
> > Ahmadu Bello - if it is good for the North, it is good for Nigeria; but
> > for Zik - if it is good for Nigeria, it is good for Ndi-Igbo......
> >
> > What am I really saying? I believe it is absolutely impossible to be a
> > good Nigerian, without first being a good and sincere member of your
> > ethnic group, because it is the unseen hand of those competing ethnic
> > interests that will bring balance under the proper structural framework.
> > Ethnicity is too fundamental and true to Nigeria to be ignored or made
> > light of. But it can also be an instrument of progress. As such being
> > pre-occupied with one ethnicity and being a good, patriotic Nigerian are
> > not mutually exclusive.
> >
> > ....But the irony is that virtually every Nigerian recognizes and behaves
> > ...It was concluded that whenever credit was extended in Africa, it was
> > > interests that will bring balance under the proper structural framework.
> > > Ethnicity is too fundamental and true to Nigeria to be ignored or made
> > > light of. But it can also be an instrument of progress. As such being
> > > pre-occupied with one ethnicity and being a good, patriotic Nigerian are
> > > not mutually exclusive.
> > >
> <oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>;
> > > <owens...@camh.net>; <quincynet-...@egroups.com>;
> > > <Tajol...@aol.com>; <Tun...@aol.com>;
> <Yorubas-...@egroups.com>
> <Bad...@aol.com>;
> > > > > >>> <Bo...@aol.com>; <Da...@aol.com>; <ebony...@my-deja.com>;
> > > > > >>> <ibn...@yahoo.com>; <igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu>;
> > > > > >>> <In...@yorubanation.org>; <LEK...@aol.com>;
> <Lod...@aol.com>;
> > > > > >>> <mekw...@flash.net>; <Ola...@aol.com>;
> > > <oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>;
> > > > > >>> <owens...@camh.net>; <quincynet-...@egroups.com>;
> > > > > >>> <Tajol...@aol.com>; <Tun...@aol.com>;
> > > <Yorubas-...@egroups.com>
Mobolaji E. Aluko
"Aburo mi atata" Uzo:
I know how you admire Zik, but "aburo", let us agree to disagree over this
one! That is what will test our "sibling-ness", that despite everything,
we can remain "siblings." :-)
Pele o! Howdy?
~ ~
Bolaji
PS: By the way, Zik was an early supporter of indigenization in Nigeria;
that was how I brought him in! After all, National Independence is an
"indigenization" step!
Ken okorie
Ken Okorie
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mobolaji E. Aluko" <mal...@scs.howard.edu>
To: "Ken okorie" <oko...@usafricaonline.com>
Cc: "The Quincy Group" <aaki...@acme.highpoint.edu>; "Francis Ifejika
Achike" <ach...@medicine.med.um.edu.my>; <alat...@netzero.net>;
<amael...@smartisp.com>; <aog...@ix.netcom.com>; <AOr...@aol.com>;
<awo...@cyberspace.net.ng>; <Bad...@aol.com>; <Bo...@aol.com>;
<da...@aol.com>; "Imeh Inyang" <dj...@freenet.carleton.ca>;
<ek...@wombat.eng.fsu.edu>; <Fela...@aol.com>;
<genera...@freedom98.org>; <ibn...@yahoo.com>; <IG...@aol.com>;
<In...@yorubanation.org>; <koyedeji@morehouse..edu>; <LEK...@aol.com>;
<Lod...@aol.com>; <LOluk...@aol.com>; <naij...@egroups.com>;
<ndug...@naijanet.com>; "Nigerian NewsGroups"
<akwa-cr...@lists.stanford.edu>; "IgboNet"
<igbo...@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>; "Rivnet" <RIV...@siue.edu>;
<yorub...@onelist.com>; "Nowa Omoigui" <now...@yahoo.com>;
<OKQu...@aol.com>; <Ola...@aol.com>; <oluok...@msn.com>;
<oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>; <o...@randomc.com>; <owens...@camh.net>;
<quincynet-...@egroups.com>; <Tajol...@aol.com>;
<Tun...@aol.com>; <tun...@netzero.net>; <Walea...@aol.com>;
<wen...@oceanfree.net>; <Wick...@aol.com>; <Yorubas-...@egroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2000 9:38 AM
Subject: Zik, Awolowo and the Indigenization Decree [Re: Ojukwu Clarifies ,
What Awo Said and His Role in Hi (fwd)] (fwd)
>
>
> Ken Okorie:
>
> Please notice that I have added "Zik" to the title of this thread. You
> will know why shortly. :-)
>
> Anyway,sha, please accept my kudos for some of the statements which you
> made below, namely:
>
>
> QUOTE
>
> For Awo - if it is good for the Yoruba, it is good for Nigeria; For
> Ahmadu Bello - if it is good for the North, it is good for Nigeria; but
> for Zik - if it is good for Nigeria, it is good for Ndi-Igbo......
>
> What am I really saying? I believe it is absolutely impossible to be a
> good Nigerian, without first being a good and sincere member of your
> ethnic group, because it is the unseen hand of those competing ethnic
> interests that will bring balance under the proper structural framework.
> Ethnicity is too fundamental and true to Nigeria to be ignored or made
> light of. But it can also be an instrument of progress. As such being
> pre-occupied with one ethnicity and being a good, patriotic Nigerian are
> not mutually exclusive.
>
> ....But the irony is that virtually every Nigerian recognizes and behaves
> ...It was concluded that whenever credit was extended in Africa, it was
> > The reality about Pa Awo is not necessarily that he was an Igbo hater I
> > interests that will bring balance under the proper structural framework.
> > Ethnicity is too fundamental and true to Nigeria to be ignored or made
> > light of. But it can also be an instrument of progress. As such being
> > pre-occupied with one ethnicity and being a good, patriotic Nigerian are
> > not mutually exclusive.
> >
<oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>;
> > <owens...@camh.net>; <quincynet-...@egroups.com>;
> > <Tajol...@aol.com>; <Tun...@aol.com>;
<Yorubas-...@egroups.com>
> > > > was instrumental to it, we need further research and evidence I
<Bad...@aol.com>;
> > > > >>> <Bo...@aol.com>; <Da...@aol.com>; <ebony...@my-deja.com>;
> > > > >>> <ibn...@yahoo.com>; <igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu>;
> > > > >>> <In...@yorubanation.org>; <LEK...@aol.com>;
<Lod...@aol.com>;
> > > > >>> <mekw...@flash.net>; <Ola...@aol.com>;
> > <oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>;
> > > > >>> <owens...@camh.net>; <quincynet-...@egroups.com>;
> > > > >>> <Tajol...@aol.com>; <Tun...@aol.com>;
> > <Yorubas-...@egroups.com>
Ken okorie
By now two things should be very clear to everyone on this forum, your
eloquent self included. (1) That I am not one to indulge in name calling
because I enjoy dialogue, discussion, or exchanges by any name, only if they
are on issues and not on personality. (2) That among the things I detest
most seriously is distortion of past events (history, if you will) for
whatever purpose. Persistently, you seem to compel my wondering about your
capacity on both scores.
Go back to some of your comments addressed to me on Naijanet between October
and December 1999 and it will become very clear why this reminder is
necessary. As an example, when in November last year I sought explanation
for what I then described as the "inconsistency between your suddenly
becom[ing] so philosophical about Enwerem while remaining insistently
adamant on Tinubu", your metaphor to me then was "I do not cast pearls
before swine". Ugly as that reference was, my restraint is also a matter of
record.
It is one thing to objectively or factually challenge my facts or argument.
It is a different thing to indulge in name calling, which, to me is only an
option when no credible or sustainable view or defense is plausible. This
explains my taking very unkindly to your following latest remarks to me:
QUOTE:
".... IF YOU CHOOSE TO JOIN THOSE WHO LIE (deliberately speak the
untruth) about my positions on that war, I will consign you
to the unprivileged ones with whom I have no discussions. I
mean that SERIOUSLY,......"
UNQUOTE
In my early days on this forum I observed that several distortions about
Biafra were being posted. I was convinced that some of the authors of
those postings may have had experiences different from ours in Biafra or
learned their facts from tainted sources. Therefore, I attempted to convey
some sense of the depth of suffering in Biafra from my personal experiences
and knowledge as a survivor. In one of those postings, I talked about how
deaths and burials were a rampant daily the horror in the villages. I
cited the number of 2 million Biafran deaths, mostly through disease and
starvation, which number incidentally is attributed to a United Nations
affiliated agency.
Your reaction, which I distinctly remember because it combined with several
others to disgust me into a long vacation from Naijanet, was essentially
that one million was the number that had been widely documented, and you
challenged my new 2 million number unless I supported same with sources and
verification. That, Dr. Bolaji, was quibbling because my people have a
saying about a man hearing that the Reverend father was burnt but was only
concerned about whether his beard was also burnt!
To anyone who experienced our carnage, your feeling that the war was
senseless and should not have been fought is no consolation for what was
essentially an indifferent, indeed callous reaction.......as though it were
a numbers game. As I then asked, how many million Biafran deaths would it
take for Nigeria to realize and accept that we were wronged?
I doubt that I would be alone in this forum if I suggested that either you
have a richer archive than many or do a better job of putting yours to use.
Personally, I know barely enough to be a danger to my own files. Therefore,
it should not be difficult for you to confirm everything I have said so
far............ and, in fairness, I think you probably should.
I only engage in exchanges when I have something to offer or gain, and in
either instance, I do not deem it a privilege. If it were, it is one I
definitely can do without. Perhaps ugliness and immaturity have so much
been a feature of this forum that many cannot resist the urge to join. I
am not so inclined. The only reason I demand respect, including from you,
Dr. Aluko, is because that is exactly what I give to everyone, including
those with whom I disagree, yourself respectably included, Sir. If your
archive shows me differently, I also stand corrected and apologize in
advance for I am not infallible. Most people who know or work with me
would likely agree that I cherish disagreements because they enable us think
and justify our own positions. I often tell my friends and colleagues that
God forbid the day we all think alike or agree for the heck of it. We would
never progress doing so. All I insist is that history remain sanitized and
undistorted.......and on that we can still disagree honorably, if we must.
I am most anxious to know how and when I have lied or spoken untruth about
your position, my disagreement with most of which is also a matter of
record. This is why I can't help but be vehement about the rather serious
concerns I have raised here.
Therefore, please understand that if you must insist on offensive language
and tone to me, I will only be delighted to be part of the "..privileged
ones with whom [you] will have no discussions." Need I add that "I mean
that SERIOUSLY" too???
Stay blessed, enriched and wise,
Ken Okorie
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mobolaji E. Aluko" <mal...@scs.howard.edu>
To: "Ken okorie" <oko...@usafricaonline.com>
Cc: "The Quincy Group" <aaki...@acme.highpoint.edu>; "Francis Ifejika
Achike" <ach...@medicine.med.um.edu.my>; <alat...@netzero.net>;
<amael...@smartisp.com>; <aog...@ix.netcom.com>; <AOr...@aol.com>;
<awo...@cyberspace.net.ng>; <Bad...@aol.com>; <Bo...@aol.com>;
<da...@aol.com>; "Imeh Inyang" <dj...@freenet.carleton.ca>;
<ek...@wombat.eng.fsu.edu>; <Fela...@aol.com>;
<genera...@freedom98.org>; <ibn...@yahoo.com>; <IG...@aol.com>;
<In...@yorubanation.org>; <koye...@morehouse.edu>; <LEK...@aol.com>;
<Lod...@aol.com>; <LOluk...@aol.com>; <naij...@egroups.com>;
<ndug...@naijanet.com>; "Nigerian NewsGroups"
<akwa-cr...@lists.stanford.edu>; "IgboNet"
<igbo...@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>; "Rivnet" <RIV...@siue.edu>;
<yorub...@onelist.com>; "Nowa Omoigui" <now...@yahoo.com>;
<OKQu...@aol.com>; <Olakem@aol..com>; <oluok...@msn.com>;
<oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>; <o...@randomc.com>; <owens...@camh.net>;
<quincynet-...@egroups.com>; <Tajol...@aol.com>;
<Tun...@aol.com>; <tun...@netzero.net>; <Walea...@aol.com>;
<wen...@oceanfree.net>; <Wick...@aol.com>; <Yorubas-...@egroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2000 5:04 PM
Subject: Re: Zik, Awolowo and the Indigenization Decree [Re: Ojukwu
Clarifies , What Awo Said and His Role in Hi (fwd)] (fwd)
>
>
> Ken Okorie:
>
> > > > > > >>> <mekwueme@flash..net>; <Ola...@aol.com>;
Mobolaji E. Aluko
Ken Okorie:
You wrote:
"Your reaction, which I distinctly remember because it combined with
several others to disgust me into a long vacation from Naijanet, was
essentially that one million was the number that had been widely
documented, and you challenged my new 2 million number unless I
--------
supported same with sources and verification."
--------------------------------------------
I simply refuse the allegation, period. I do not have "sources and
verification" for 1 million Biafra dead - which I am willing to accept -
so why would I ask for same for 2 million - which I am also willing to
accept? You must EITHER be confusing me with someone else, OR confusing
some context that I cannot even imagine at this time.
And you have also asked me to dig into my DEEP archives to prove what I
did not say: that is IMPOSSIBLE. In fact, my archives might be deep, but
believe me, I don't keep EVERY SINGLE conversation that I have.
I really must move on. There is no further point to me made by me on this
particular thread.
Best wishes.
Bolaji Aluko
> been a feature of this forum that many cannot resist the urge to join I
> <OKQu...@aol.com>; <Ola...@aol.com>; <oluok...@msn.com>;
> <oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>; <o...@randomc.com>; <owens...@camh.net>;
> <quincynet-...@egroups.com>; <Tajol...@aol.com>;
> <Tun...@aol.com>; <tun...@netzero.net>; <Walea...@aol.com>;
> <wen...@oceanfree.net>; <Wick...@aol.com>; <Yorubas-Community@egroupscom>
> > > > > cannot have much difficulty finding that analysis plausible..
> > > igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu ; In...@yorubanation.org ; LEKECPA@aolcom
> > > LEK...@aol.com ; Lod...@aol.com ; mekw...@flash.net ; Olakem@aolcom
> > > > > > > >>> <mekw...@flash.net>; <Ola...@aol.com>;
> > > > > <oola...@dcsmserver.med.sc.edu>;
> > > > > > > >>> <owens...@camh.net>;
> <quincynet-...@egroups.com>;
> > > > > > > >>> <Tajol...@aol.com>; <Tun...@aol.com>;
> > > > > <Yorubas-...@egroups.com>