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The Igbo-Ijaw Paradox (1)

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Jun 18, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/18/00

The Igbo-Ijaw Paradox

The Igbo and Ijaw are easily the most racially integrated groups in Nigeria. In the eastern portion of the Niger-delta, it is virtually impossible to distinguish between the two groups. Early Europeans who visited the area did not fail to observe this relationship in places like New Calabar, Bonny etc. Perhaps, it is this phenomenon that Dr Sam Ebiye, an Ijaw elder was referring to when he told the Vanguard recently that the Ijaw and Igbo migrated together from Israel. The only other group so integrated is the Hausa and
Fulani of Northern Nigeria. However, while the Hausa and Fulani have grabbed their entertwined destines to boost their numbers and therefore control the allocation of resources in Nigeria, the Igbo and Ijaw are embroiled in a never ending, futile, bitter and counter-productive acrimony despite the marginalising outcome for both groups. Herein lies the paradox: why are the Igbo and Ijaw so integrated racially and geographically and yet so far apart strategically?

First, what do I mean by "far apart strategically"? By this I mean that among all the Nigerian groups, the Ijaw are the most hell-bent on undermining Igbo interests at all times and at every opportunity. What is intriguing is that Ijaw and Igbo interests are so intertwined due to geographical contiguity that anything that harms Igbo interests will by default have a ripple effect on the Ijaw. ?For example bad roads and infrastructural decay in Igboland are bound to ultimately pull down the level of economic activities in Ijaw areas and spread povert throughout the region. This fact
is well known to all and sundry, and yet this has not stopped the Ijaw from undermining Igbo interests. Why? Before we consider this, here are some examplars:

I. Kaduna Massacre and the aftermath

The Igbo-Ijaw paradox was recently demonstrated during the recent mayhem in Kaduna during which many southern Nigerians were killed. As that riot raged, Igbo leaders called for southern solidarity and a meeting of southern leaders to discuss the danger. This call was immediately repudiated publicly by no other than Marshal Harry, an Ijaw who pored vitriol on the idea. In the end, the southern solidarity meeting did not happen, but Mr Harry had also sent a clear message to the sharia activists to have a field day. Silly stunt that was for as things turned out, hundreds of Ijaw perished in that Kaduna incident as well. However, when a Yanogua newspaper "The Banner" wrote the full story about Ijaw losses in Kaduna, copies of the paper were immediately confiscated and the editor clamped into detention. End of story. The question is: did Mr Harry need to make that unfortunate show of disunity and what did he hope to achieve from it? Answer: malicious hatred of the Igbo.

2. Petroleum Decree 1969 etc.
The Nigeria-Biafra war was basically a war between Hausa-Fulani/Yoruba coalition and the Igbo. However, once that war broke out, the Ijaw quickly swapped sides and allied themselves with the Hausa-Fulani side. The rest is now history. While that war raged and after, the Ijaw were quite happy to endorse measures any measures at all that would weaken the Igbo. Examples of such policies which were fully endorsed by the Ijaw were the Petroleum Decree of 1969, the offshore/onshore classificatory system for oil output, the Dina
Report on Revenue Allocation, the Land Use Decree etc. These policies ultimately helped to undermine the derivation principle agreed to at the time of independence. But for the Ijaw, it did not matter, any policy was good policy provided the Igbo were undermined. Too bad because as things turned out the very same
policies that were once used to undermine the Igbo are now being used to disposess the Ijaw themselves.

2. Abandoned property

The Nigeria-Biafra war saw the Igbo and the Hausa-Fulani as bitter enemies. At the end of it all however, Hausa people collected the rent due to Igbo properties in Northern Nigeria, paid them and returned all the assets to their legitimate owners. Eight years after the Biafran war, Shehu Shagari, a Hausa-Fulani ran Nigeria with an Igbo Vice President and top functionaries. By strange contrast, the Ijaw still harbour deep-seated hatred about the war. The Ijaw-controlled Rivers State confiscated all Igbo-owned assets, tagged
them abandoned property and refused to hand them back or compensate the owners. They even took the unprecedented step of banning the Igbo language in the print and electronic media in the Rivers state. Under Diette-Spiff, the Rivers State attempted to collude with hostile geo-political forces elsewhere to force a
permanent closure of the University of Nigeria Nsukka immediately after the war.

Resourse Control or Survivalist Posturing: A Reflective conclusion.

This sort of examples discussed above can be extended indefinitely. Recently, quite a few mumbling have been heard from the area about the MASSOB Saga. Fair enough, for even the Igbo have been loudly proclaiming their disapproval. However one Ijaw group went to the extreme of claiming that they have no affinity whatsoever with the Igbo! Of course the Igbo crave no affinity with the Ijaw either but the
extremity of the anti- Igbo language in the Ijaw release was quite astonishing, unwarranted if not outrightly provocative.

It is interesting that while the Ijaw attempt to undermine Igbo interests, they mouth their desire for resource control and self-determination over the roof-top. This contradictory posturing reflects the lack of strategic thinking in the area. Thus while Ijaw youths are mowed down by Hausa-Fulani controlled army and navy, Ijaw elders like Melford Okilo proundly announce that they brought the North ie Hausa-Fulani to Ijawland.
Who, if we may ask, are the Ijaw struggle for resource control directed at if not the very same Hausa-Fulani and their allies who control the apparatus of the Nigerian state and its resources?

We are therefore lead to conclude that what we now see as the Ijaw struggle, stripped of all the militant posturing is no more than the survivalist positioning of some individuals. When the Ijaw wake up to genuinely and fundamentally wish for a change in the status quo, they will discover that the revenue
allocation formula presently in force is an imposition reflecting the balance of forces on the ground after the Biafran war. To overturn that system requires a fundamental shake up and there is no way the Ijaw can on their own conceivably defeat the alliance of Hausa and Yoruba forces that currently benefit from the
anachronistic system. On the contrary, the later have shown their willingness to defend their loot by force if necessary as demonstrated at Odi. Someone somewhere ought to advice Ijaw people to ditch the malicious
hatred of the Igbo and start building workable alliances with geographically contiguous groups that will genuinely liberate them. The need for such a strategic alliance is what Ken Saro-Wiwa discovered at last. He ultimately went to Enugu with that message, but it was too late for him.

Mz Ani.

On Sat, 17 Jun 2000 23:58:12 + + wrote:
>Chief Dewari,
>
>It is your prerogative to choose what discussion you join, when and how. I leave it up to you. However when you make that seminal, earth-shaking decision, don't come out with
>the old wife's tale about Igbo domination. The Eastern Region lasted between 1960-1967. Can you point out any single worthwhile project in Ijaw areas in the three decades between 1967 and 1997?
>
>Rather, Yenogua the Ijaw capital remained frozen in time the way Okpara left it in the 1960s while zillions of dollars in oil revenues were extracted to develop Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and sundry places in the North and West of Nigeriam where the Ijaw are now butchered by OPC and shariarists.
>
>It is a real shame that some among you still have the audacity to talk about Ibo this Ibo that today, citing a decrepit Igbo-Ijaw ogogoro trade and schorship awards of the 1960s as evidence! Lets see you rant and rave about the stollen petro-dollars, the destruction of Odi, the masacre of Ijaw at Ajegunle and , Arogbo-Ilaje and Kaduna with the same gusto as you squawk about the Igbo-Ijaw ogogoro trade.
>
>Enjoy yourself also.
>
>Mz Ani
>
>
>On Fri, 16 Jun 2000 16:10:12 longjohn wrote:
>>Mz. Ani,
>> Thanks for your generosity but I will exercise my choice, and not
>>participate in your discussions when they are brought up in this manner.
>>Have a nice weekend.
>>enjoy
>>Dawari
>>
>>ps: addressing me as Sir Longjohn is unnecessary, Dawari is more than
>>adequate.
>>
>>
>>
>>"+ +" <ebony...@my-deja.com>@siue.edu on 06/16/2000 02:58:56 PM
>>
>>Please respond to ebony...@my-deja.com
>>
>>Sent by: owner-...@siue.edu
>>
>>
>>To: ebony...@my-deja.com, Dawari Longjohn/Jericho/IBM@IBMUS
>>cc: ans...@hotmail.com, riv...@siue.edu, OKO...@aol.com,
>> igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu, edo-co...@egroups.com,
>> INC...@aol.com, ijawn...@topica.com, naij...@egroups.com
>>Subject: Re: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations
>>
>>
>>
>>Sir Longjohn,
>>
>>You have not addressed any of the fundamental issues raised in the mail you
>>responded to. Just answer the simple question: will "King" Alfred
>>Diette-Spiff now abandon his properties in Port Harcourt to the Rivers
>>indigenes now that he (Spiff) is no longer a citizen of the Rivers State?
>>
>>I will advise that you moderate your language and stick to the substantive
>>issue under discussion.
>>
>>Mz Ani.
>>--
>>
>>On Fri, 16 Jun 2000 10:53:59 longjohn wrote:
>>>My Friend Mz. Ani,
>>> We the Mz. Ik Ochia's branded "...so backward and primitive ",
>>"Ijaw
>>>River people" , don't need any self-styled authority on rights to freedom
>>>of expression and the number of responses from Ijaws will constitute a
>>>"...pack of wild dogs". Mz. Statue of Liberty, do yourself a favor and
>>>respect yourself. You and your "so advanced and civilized" Patrick Henry
>>>friend should take this your type of free expression to a different
>>>church, you are knocking on the wrong door.
>>>
>>>enjoy
>>>Dawari
>>>
>>>
>>>"+ +" <ebony...@my-deja.com>@siue.edu on 06/15/2000 01:13:55 PM
>>>
>>>Please respond to ebony...@my-deja.com
>>>
>>>Sent by: owner-...@siue.edu
>>>
>>>
>>>To: ans...@hotmail.com, riv...@siue.edu, OKO...@aol.com
>>>cc: igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu, edo-co...@egroups.com,
>>> INC...@aol.com, ijawn...@topica.com, naij...@egroups.com
>>>Subject: Re: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>My Dear Friends,
>>>
>>>Mz Ochia has merely exercised his rights to free expression. Why descend
>>>upon him like a pack of wild dogs? Still why attempt to drag the Igbo and
>>>Ojukwu into the fray? Why not stick to the issues raised by Mz Ochia?
>>>
>>>1. Isaac Boro alleged that the Igbo exploited him. His reason was that
>>some
>>>Igbo engaged in Ogogoro trade with the Ijaw. By Boro s own admission in
>>the
>>>book twelve-day revolution, he organised a band of bandits to dispossess
>>>Igbo traders. At the time of this allegation there was no oil revenue as
>>>such, so whither Igbo
>>>exploitation? If the profit of Igbo traders in the Ogogoro trade with Ijaw
>>>was supper
>>>exploitation, what do you call the zillions of petroleum money now taken
>>by
>>>your
>>>erstwhile liberators and hidden in coded accounts in Swiss banks for over
>>>30 years
>>>now? Beyond this Ogogoro thing can anyone define this much vaunted Igbo
>>>exploitation?
>>>
>>>2. Isaac Boro as a second year student was overwhelmingly voted by Igbo
>>>and eastern youths as their leader, the president of the student union at
>>>University of Nigeria Nsukka. Rather than utilising this powerful position
>>>to achieve progressive goals for the whole oppressed peasants of eastern
>>>Nigeria, Boro astonishingly alleged that he failed to be elected first
>>time
>>>in his first year because he was a minority. Thereafter, he turned against
>>>the students and their parents, the same students that elected him as
>>their
>>>leader in pursuit of parochial goals..
>>>
>>>3. When Isaac Boro declared a republic, was captured and sentenced to
>>>death, Gen. Ironsi an Igbo kept him and his followers from harms way. None
>>>was touchedunder Ironsi. Compare Abacha s treatment of Ken Saro-Wiwa and
>>>Obasanjo s
>>>destruction of Odi. Had an Igbo done any of the above...my oh my!..As Odi
>>>was destroyed, Ijaw refugees flooded into Igboland underlying the
>>>integrated nature of the Igbo-Ijaw homeland. Why did Odi refugees not run
>>>to Sokoto and
>>>Ijebu-Remo?
>>>
>>>As we write, five more Ijaw youths have been mowed down by the so-called
>>>Nigerian
>>>navy led and commanded by non-Igbo Nigerians. What have you done about it?
>>>Nothing! Nothing except scanning the internet to attack Ik Ochia and other
>>>freeborn
>>>Igbo people who express their opinions in a free world. The alleged Igbo
>>>domination
>>>occured between 1960 and 1966, how many Ijaw youths did the Igbo shoot,
>>how
>>>many
>>>Ijaw towns did the Igbo destroy, how many trillions did the Igbo steal?
>>>Where the hell
>>>are Morris Akobo, Marshal Harry, Opubo Daminabo and other decrepit
>>>theoreticians
>>>of Igbo domination?
>>>
>>>4. Alfred Diette Spiff was the chief architect of the neo-fascist
>>abandoned
>>>property
>>>crime. Is that the man you want to celebrate? What happens to his own
>>>property now
>>>that he is no longer an indigene of the Rivers State? Should his assets
>>and
>>>those of his
>>>kinsmen in Port Harcourt now also be declared abandoned property and
>>>confiscated
>>>by the indigenous Ikwerre who own Port Harcourt? Can t you see how the
>>>myopic
>>>action of Mr Spiff has scared away investors from Yenogua and other Ijaw
>>>areas? Please note that governments do not build petrol stations,
>>>individuals do but they will not do it in Yeneogua for fear of being
>>>dispossessed, spiff style.
>>>
>>>5. Under Mr Spiff or is it now king Spiff, Igbo language was banned in
>>>the print and
>>>electronic media in the Rivers State. This is a clear case of the minority
>>>oppressing the
>>>majority! Imagine the outcry if an Igbo had banned Ijaw language in
>>eastern
>>>Nigeria as
>>>Mr Spiff did to Igbo.
>>>
>>>So please leave Mz Ochia alone and address the substantive issues.
>>>
>>>Mz Ani.
>>>________________________________________________
>>>
>>>On Thu, 15 Jun 2000 11:52:32 OKOROG wrote:
>>>>From: lab...@aol.com
>>>>Reply-To: Ijawn...@topica.com
>>>>To: Ijawn...@topica.com
>>>>CC: ans...@hotmail.com
>>>>Subject: Re: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations
>>>>Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 04:31:45 -0700
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>June 15, 2000
>>>>
>>>>Dear Ik Ochia:
>>>>
>>>>I decided to write you in response to the piece you wrote about Isaac
>>>Boroh.
>>>>First, I see confusion, instability, hatred, and sadness in you from just
>>>>reading your post. If you can boldly give your intended audience an
>>>account
>>>>of your life, we shall surely make out an interesting reading of a person
>>>>saddled with burden and woes of life. I challenge you to sincerely post
>>>your
>>>>life's story, and my insight into your confused life will be exposed.
>>>>
>>>>I dare you to do it, if you can proof me wrong. I shall not even bother
>>to
>>>>address details of your uneducated post. Write me through my personal
>>>e-mail
>>>>address below if you wish.
>>>>
>>>>Thank you,
>>>>
>>>>Lawrence Daria
>>>>lab...@hotmail.com
>>>>----------------------------------------------
>>>>From: "Sikpi,Matthew O." <si...@nso2.uchc.edu>
>>>>Reply-To: Ijawn...@topica.com
>>>>To: "'Ijawn...@topica.com'" <Ijawn...@topica.com>
>>>>Subject: RE: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations
>>>>Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 06:41:35 -0700
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Dear Lawrence,
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for your response to IK Ochia. Ochia's response is not totally
>>>>surprising. Unfortunately, there are many like him who condemns
>>>recognition
>>>>of anyone that he perceives as anti-Ibo. I am sure Ochia jubilated at the
>>>>hanging of Ken Sarowiwa by Abacha. If only Ochia had taken a moment to
>>>>reflect on the basis of Boro's revolution, he would understand why Isaac
>>>>Adaka Boro is considered a hero by the Ijaws almost 35 years after his
>>>>revolution. Ochia should be reminded that Ojukwu who is a hero to the
>>Ibos
>>>>is a criminal to other Nigerians.
>>>>
>>>>It's very unfortunate that Nigerians from various ethnic groups don't
>>even
>>>>try to understand each other's concerns. Perhaps, this is due to the
>>>unique
>>>>problems of the various groups. However, unity will remain elusive if
>>>>Nigerians do not reach out to one another.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Matthew Sikpi
>>>>--------------------------------------
>>>>From: Jenkins Ebiware <ebiw...@ameritech.net> Save Address - Block
>>Sender
>>>> Reply-To: Ijawn...@topica.com
>>>> To: Ijawn...@topica.com
>>>> Subject: Re: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations
>>>> Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 07:22:16 -0700
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I can do nothing but laugh at Mr Ochia's ignorance.What else ,that is
>>what
>>>>his name implies Ochia in igbo means laugh.Think before you open your
>>>mouth
>>>>next time Mr Ochia, its unreasonable people like you that have put
>>Nigeria
>>>>in its present position.I before others.we can not go forward with I
>>>before
>>>>others.Wake up and smell the ogili.
>>>>
>>>>Jenkins E.Ebiware MCP,Network +
>>>>NT Systems/Network Engineer
>>>>----------------------------------
>>>>From: long...@us.ibm.com
>>>> Reply-To: Ijawn...@topica.com
>>>> To: Ik Ochia <ans...@hotmail.com>
>>>> CC: igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu, edo-co...@egroups.com,
>>>inc...@aol.com,
>>>> Ijawn...@topica.com, naij...@egroups.com, riv...@siue.edu Save
>>>>Address
>>>> Subject: Re: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations
>>>> Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 07:27:50 -0700
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Nwoken Ik Ochia,
>>>>I, a Bonny indigene and one of your so called "... so backward and
>>>>primitive.", "...Ijaw River people..." recalls Clint Eastwood's famous
>>>>line; "opinion is like an asshole, everyone has got one"
>>>>
>>>>The Ijaw will choose whom to honor, and if it does not meet your approval
>>>>tough luck.
>>>>Enjoy
>>>>Dawari
>>>>
>>>>"Ik Ochia" <ans...@hotmail.com>@siue.edu on 06/14/2000 03:19:02 PM
>>>>
>>>>Sent by: owner-...@siue.edu
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>To: riv...@siue.edu
>>>>cc: igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu, edo-co...@egroups.com,
>>>> inc...@aol.com, ijawn...@topica.com, naij...@egroups.com
>>>>Subject: Re: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 13:38:09 -0400
>>>>>>From: Sepribo Lawson-Jack <slaws...@lucent.com>
>>>>>>To: riv...@siue.edu, igbo...@lists.cc.utexas.edu,
>>>>>> akwa-cr...@lists.stanford.edu, edo-co...@egroups.com,
>>>>>> inc...@aol.com, ijawn...@topica.com
>>>>>>Cc: in...@att.net
>>>>>>Subject: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations
>>>>
>>>>Someone should please advice these Ijaws to move on with their lives.
>>>>There are many fishes to catch before the Delta is all polluted. All
>>>>this nonsense about heroing Adaka Boro is a song for the birds. The point
>>>>is, Boro was a criminal, the first rebel that Nigeria ever had. He was
>>>>lucky
>>>>that Ironsi did not execute him for treason.Unfortunately for him, the
>>>>"Black Scorpion" did. If the Ijaws want to mourn a worthless criminal,
>>>they
>>>>are free to do so, but they should not bother us anymore with all this
>>>>laugahable posting about an Ijaw nation that never existed and will never
>>>>exist. Rather than honoring a traitor to his country, the Ijaws should be
>>>>finding ways to fulfill this their Kiama self-determination agenda. So,
>>>>Alfred Diete-Spiff, the abandoned-property military administrator is now
>>>>"his royal highness?" This Ijaw river people have a lot of time on their
>>>>hands. No wonder they have remained so backward and primitive. What a
>>>waste
>>>>!
>>>>Ik.
>>>>>>ALL:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Please, find attached a copy of the statement that was read by the
>>>>>>Ijaw National Alliance of the Americas (INAA) at its
>>>>>>"Service and Devotion Award" during the 2000 Boro-Day celebrations held
>>>>>>in Kaiama, Bayelsa state on May 20, 2000.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>As stated in an earlier press release, the honoree for this year's
>>award
>>>>>>was His Royal Highness King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Amanaowei of Twon
>>>>>>Brass.
>>>>>>Special guests at the presentation included Chief D. S. P. Alamieseigha
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>Governor of Bayelsa state, Senators Emma Diffa and David Brigidi,
>>>>>>Representative Tonye Longjohn, former second republic Senator Amataru
>>>>>>Zuofa.
>>>>>>Others were Dr. Sam Ebiye the national co-ordinator of the Odi
>>>>>>Rehabilitation and Reconstruction committee and chairman of the INAA
>>>>>>conference,
>>>>>>Chief Capt. Owonaru (retired) who was second-in-command in Boro's
>>>>>>revolutionary
>>>>>>army, traditional chiefs, and representatives of several Ijaw and Niger
>>>>>>Delta
>>>>>>organizations.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Dr. Sepribo Lawson-Jack
>>>>>>Publicity Secretary, INAA
>>>>>>============================================================================
>>
>>>
>>>>===
>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>KAIAMA, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
>>>>>>
>>>>>>2000 BORO-DAY CELEBRATIONS, SATURDAY MAY 20, 2000:
>>>>>>PRESENTATION OF INAA SERVICE AND DEVOTION AWARDS
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The Ijaw National Alliance of the Americas (INAA) is pleased to take
>>>>part,
>>>>>>once again, in this year's events to commemorate the life and legacy of
>>>a
>>>>>>remarkable Ijaw son, Isaac Adaka Boro. Today's conference is in
>>>>>>fulfillment
>>>>>>of INAA's commitment to sponsor a conference every year during the
>>>>>>Boro-Day
>>>>>>celebrations to remember and rekindle Isaac Adaka Boro's vision for the
>>>>>>Ijaw nation. The organization believes that a conference like this is
>>>>>>necessary, particularly during this democratic political dispensation,
>>>>for
>>>>>>all Ijaws to meet and discuss ways and means to advance the Ijaw
>>nation.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>In his book, The Twelve-Day Revolution, Isaac Adaka Boro described the
>>>>>>social conditions of the Niger Delta and Ijaw nation as follows:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>"For the area concerned, covering a territory of 10,000 square miles
>>and
>>>>>>about two million inhabitants, there are just a few hospitals of
>>>ordinary
>>>>>>health center status."
>>>>>>
>>>>>>"Economic development of the area is certainly the most appalling
>>>aspect.
>>>>>>There is not even a single industry."
>>>>>>
>>>>>>"Of all parts of the country, the Niger Delta is the richest in water
>>>and
>>>>>>(yet) so the governments have not found it necessary to give the
>>>>>>inhabitants pipe borne water."
>>>>>>
>>>>>>"If Nigerian governments refuse to do something to drastically improve
>>>>the
>>>>>>lot of the people, inevitably a point of no return will be reached;
>>then
>>>>>>evil is afoot."
>>>>>>
>>>>>>These inhumane conditions at the time compelled Isaac Adaka Boro to
>>>>revolt
>>>>>>against the Nigerian Government in 1966 and declared the Republic of
>>the
>>>>>>Niger Delta. Boro's dream at the time was economic emancipation and
>>>>>>improved social condition for the Ijaw and other ethnic nationalities
>>in
>>>>>>the Niger Delta. More than three decades later, the social and economic
>>>>>>conditions in the Niger Delta remain the same. As a matter of fact,
>>some
>>>>>>areas such as the environment and the ecology, the conditions in the
>>>Niger
>>>>>>Delta are much worse than Boro's time.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>It behooves us, therefore, to continue the struggle to accomplish
>>Boro's
>>>>>>dreams and aspirations for a vibrant Ijaw nation and a consolidate
>>delta
>>>>>>region relentless in the quest for justice and equity. INAA calls on
>>all
>>>>>>Ijaws --elected leaders, traditional leaders, civil servants, and
>>>>others--
>>>>>>to renew their commitment to the noble ideals that will ultimately lead
>>>>to
>>>>>>enhanced quality of life for the Ijaw.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>To that extent, the Ijaw must put at the very top of his/her list the
>>>>>>development of a set of personal values which will form the basis or
>>>>>>reference point for personal decision-making. This set of values should
>>>>>>constitute our (Ijaw) inner compass. Items for consideration from which
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>Ijaw should never stray include humility, integrity, accountability and
>>>a
>>>>>>sense of balance between the personal "me" and the community of "us".
>>At
>>>>>>this point, INAA urges governor Alamieseigha, his cabinet, as well as
>>>>>>other
>>>>>>Governors and their cabinets in the Niger Delta states, to take the
>>>lead.
>>>>>>You, the elected officials, are the 'pilots' and whether or not the
>>Ijaw
>>>>>>(or the Niger Delta region for that matter) would drift is a function
>>of
>>>>>>how you utilize your inner compass to guide and govern. You have a
>>>unique
>>>>>>opportunity to create an enabling environment for selfless service,
>>>>>>sacrifice and humility. This is imperative if we are to leave behind a
>>>>>>better place for our children and grandchildren.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The Ijaw National Alliance of the Americas is comprised of indigenes
>>>from
>>>>>>Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States committed to the socioeconomic and
>>>>>>cultural development of our homeland. We will, therefore, keep our
>>>pledge
>>>>>>to honor Ijaws, who by their actions, have impacted positively on the
>>>>>>quality of life for the Ijaw. In addition to carrying out projects such
>>>>as
>>>>>>today's conference, INAA, either on its own or in collaboration with
>>>>other
>>>>>>Ijaw organizations in the Council of Ijaw Associations Abroad (CIAA),
>>>>>>worked to enlighten the international community about the Ijaw and the
>>>>>>problems that beset the Ijaw nation. Several initiatives to promote
>>>>unity,
>>>>>>selfless service, economic emancipation and cultural awareness of Ijaws
>>>>>>since its inauguration five years ago.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The "Service and Devotion Award", which will be presented momentarily
>>is
>>>>>>to
>>>>>>acknowledge the positive impact recipient(s) have directly or
>>indirectly
>>>>>>made in the lives of Ijaws. INAA believes that individual(s) or
>>>>>>organization(s) that have made stellar contributions to the development
>>>>of
>>>>>>the Ijaw nation are qualified to receive this award. The organization
>>is
>>>>>>extremely gratified that Isaac Adaka Boro was the first recipient of
>>>this
>>>>>>award which was given posthumously in 1998.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Today, the Ijaw National Alliance of the Americas is presenting the
>>1999
>>>>>>and 2000 Awards. The 1999 "Service and devotion" award is for victims
>>of
>>>>>>the 1998/1999 Yenagoa/Kaiama crisis. These courageous Ijaw sons and
>>>>>>daughters were unyielding in resistance to tyranny and oppression; they
>>>>>>put
>>>>>>their lives on the line; many of them made the supreme sacrifice. It is
>>>>>>befitting, therefore, that their efforts are immortalized. We
>>perpetuate
>>>>>>their heroic efforts as another symbol of the unbowed and unyielding
>>>Ijaw
>>>>>>spirit, always determined to seek and defend the truth. Determination,
>>>>>>selfless service and devotion are among the fundamental tenets of the
>>>>Ijaw
>>>>>>National Alliance of the Americas.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>INAA is also proud to recognize His Royal Highness, King Alfred
>>>>>>Diete-Spiff as the recipient of the 2000 Award. As the first governor
>>of
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>old Rivers State, the vision of Governor Diete-Spiff's administration,
>>>>>>particularly in the area of education, was unmatched in the entire
>>>>nation.
>>>>>>Many of INAA members (and perhaps some of you in this audience today)
>>>>>>benefited from the famous Rivers State scholarship program at the
>>>>>>secondary
>>>>>>or university levels. King Diete-Spiff's record of achievements sets an
>>>>>>enviable example unmatched by any administration at the time. His
>>>>>>highness,
>>>>>>Diete-Spiff gave us a peek at those inner values which guide our
>>>>thoughts.
>>>>>>He showed us his compass.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Individuals like His Royal Highness and the other honorees are an
>>>>>>inspiration to join hands in the efforts to realize our aspirations for
>>>a
>>>>>>united and progressive Ijaw nation. The Ijaw National Alliance of the
>>>>>>Americas, therefore, calls on Ijaws everywhere for a renewed spirit of
>>>>>>service and dedication to the advancement of the Ijaw peoples.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>As the Ijaw National Alliance of the Americas presents these Awards,
>>the
>>>>>>organization would also like to pay tribute to all those who have
>>fought
>>>>>>or
>>>>>>are still fighting to defend fairness, justice and equity. INAA as well
>>>>as
>>>>>>people around the world cherish their efforts because ideals like
>>>>service,
>>>>>>devotion, justice and equality are universal. The Ijaw National
>>Alliance
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>the Americas commend their selfless service in the quest for Ijaw
>>rights
>>>>>>and self-determination. Their steadfastness stimulates us all.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Also on an occasion such as this, it is important to remember the
>>>tragedy
>>>>>>at Odi in November 1999. The many hardworking and innocent men and
>>women
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>Odi who have been rendered desolate and destitute, INAA shares your
>>>>grief.
>>>>>>And in keeping with its pledge to support the noble initiative to
>>>>>>reconstruct Odi and rehabilitate its indigenes, INAA is donating the
>>sum
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>one hundred thousand naira (N100,000.00) towards the effort.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>On behalf of my fellow Ijaws that constitute the Ijaw National Alliance
>>>>of
>>>>>>the Americas, I thank the dignitaries and other guests for coming to
>>>take
>>>>>>part in this remarkable and historic event. May God bless you and bless
>>>>>>peoples of our Greater Ijaw ethnic nationality. Long live a just and
>>>>>>equitable Nigeria
>>>>>>
>>>>>>IJAW NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THE AMERICAS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Immediate Past President: Dr. Joseph Ebiware
>>>>>>President: Dr. Matthew O. Sikpi
>>>>>>Vice-President: Dawari LongJohn
>>>>>>General Secretary: Tonye Whyte
>>>>>>Treasurer: Grace Amaso (Mrs.)
>>>>>>Publicity Secretary: Dr. Sepribo Lawson-Jack
>>>>>>Financial Secretary: Ugebai Poweigha (Mrs.)
>>>>>>Deputy General Secretary: Andy Belle
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>________________________________________________________________________
>>>>Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>--== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==--
>>>Before you buy.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>--== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==--
>>Before you buy.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>--== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==--
>Before you buy.
>
>

--== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==--
Before you buy.

OKO...@aol.com

unread,

Jun 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/20/00

Subj: Re: The Igbo-Ijaw Paradox (1)
Date: 6/19/00 7:47:49 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From: tro...@aol.com
Reply-to: Ijawn...@topica.com
To: Ijawn...@topica.com

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The continuing exchange of negative views shows everyone around the world why
it
is difficult to unite Nigerians as one. Nigeria's more than 200 ethnic
communities have developed a unique talent of speaking without communicating,
and also of being in contact without interacting. The divergent cultural
experiences, issues tend to be
sensitive that leads to disagreements and hostility. Nigerians should learn
to respect the different cultures in the country. Nigerians abroad who are
exposed to the international community should use their learned experiences
to bring Nigerians together as brothers and sisters and not as who is less
primitive. It's enough of the debates, insults and derogatory remarks.
Develop a cordial forum to intelligently discus matters affecting Nigeria.
Ochia, Ani, Dawari and all others, make better use of what you've learned and
turn it to a positive forum.

Timi
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OKO...@aol.com

unread,

Jun 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/20/00

Subj: The Almighty God bless Mr. IK Ochia
Date: 6/19/00 11:41:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From: niwe...@us.ibm.com
Reply-to: Ijawn...@topica.com
To: Ijawn...@topica.com

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Dear All,

I wish to change the subject title from " Re: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations "
to " The Almighty God bless Mr. IK Ochia ".
I will propose that we all take time and pray for Mr. IK Ochia. May the
Almighty God bless, protect and set him free from the
evil side of the spirit of discontent for I am convince that there a good
side of the spirit discontent. I believe that " Discontent
is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation" . I am convince
that Mr. IK Ochia is about something that only
himself really understand. Wish is a positive thing and it seem he is
reaching out for help. Thus, we all need to help him and
pray for him.

I pray that the Almighty God should bless him so that he can blessings to
his immediate family and Nigeria as a whole. His present in America today
is not his making but that of the Almighty God. I wish offer and read
Psalms 23 for Mr. Ochia.

Psalms 23.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in fields of green
grass
and leads me to quiet pools of
fresh water.
He gives me new strength.
He guides me in right paths,
as he has promised.
Even if I go through the deepest
darkness,
I will not be afraid, LORD,
for you are with me.
Your shepherd's rod and staff
protect me.

You prepare a banquet for me,
where all my enemies can see
me;
you welcome me as an honored
guest
and fill my cup to the brim.
I know that your goodness and
love will be with me all my
life;
and your house will be my
home as long as I live.

Thank you all.

Tiefa Kingsley Niweigha ( Odi, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, based in San
Jose, California )

TELEPHONE : (408) 256-6205 , FAX : (408) 256-6408, INTERNET : Niweigha
@us.ibm.com
"You are guilty of war when you believe the God you conceive is the one
other must accept"

mam...@aol.com on 06/17/2000 07:46:23 AM

Please respond to Ijawn...@topica.com

To: Ijawn...@topica.com
cc:

Subject: Re: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations

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Ik Ochia:

One man's criminal is another's revolutionist, ala Isaac Adaka Boro, Nelson
Mandela, Malcolm X, etc. When you spew such hatred, and insult a whole
ethnic
group where do you think resolution will come from? While the Internet has
made it really easy for us to stay in touch, this ease is no excuse for
conduct that is otherwise unacceptable.

Your freedom to speak ends exactly where my freedom from insults begin. I
am
an Ijaw woman (and damned proud of it) whose mother is Ibo (and equally
proud
of it). And I assure you that nothing you write about the Ijaw people
matters
in the big scheme of things. I pleaded earlier for us to cool the rhetoric.
I
am making that plea again. COOL the rhetoric already.

Loretta Mabinton

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--

Subj: The Almighty God bless Mr. IK Ochia
Date: 6/19/00 12:11:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: niwe...@us.ibm.com
Reply-to: Ijawn...@topica.com
To: Ijawn...@topica.com

--- Support our Sponsor ------------------------------------
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------------------------------------------------------------

Dear All,

I wish to change the subject title from " Re: 2000 Boro-Day Celebrations "
to " The Almighty God bless
Mr. IK Ochia ".I will propose that we all take time and pray for Mr. IK
Ochia. May the Almighty God bless, protect and set him free from the evil
side of the spirit of discontent. I am convince that there is a good
side of the spirit of discontent. I believe that " Discontent is the first
step in the progress of a man or a nation" . I am convince that Mr. IK
Ochia is " Discontent " about something that only himself really
understand. That is positive and he is reaching out for help. Thus, we all
need to help him and pray for him.

I pray that the Almighty God bless him so that he can be blessings to his
immediate family and Nigeria as a whole. His presence in America today is
not his making but that of the Almighty God. I wish to offer and read
Psalms 23 for Mr. IK Ochia.

Thank you all.

Tiefa Kingsley Niweigha ( Odi, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, based in San
Jose, California )

TELEPHONE : (408) 256-6205 , FAX : (408) 256-6408, INTERNET : Niweigha
@us.ibm.com
"You are guilty of war when you believe the God you conceive is the one
other must accept"

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------------------------------------------------------------
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eb...@erols.com

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Jun 21, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/21/00

I do not think that Mazi Ani should waste his time answering any questions
just becasue anybody has them. I think what he wrote is agreeable to many
Ijaws and Ndiigbo alike... those who are not affronted by the truth.

Anyone should feel free to write their own understanding of the Ijaw-Igbo
bellyache. or on any other of the zillion Nigerian inter-ethnic tussles. Do
not forget to offer solutions too. Only by doing so can progress be made.
Tearing apart what other people write is not the way to originality and
progress.

Ebube

OKO...@aol.com wrote:

> Subj: Re: The Igbo-Ijaw Paradox (1)

> Date: 6/19/00 2:42:36 PM Pacific Daylight Time
> From: lab...@aol.com

> Reply-to: Ijawn...@topica.com
> To: Ijawn...@topica.com
>
> --- Support our Sponsor ------------------------------------
> The more you like sports, the more you like GoBigMo.com
> http://click.topica.com/aaaapqb1ddzAb1opQra/GoBigMo4
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>

> June 19, 2000
>
> Mr. Ani:
>
> I have a few questions for you:
>
> 1. What Ibo group do you represent?
> 2. Are you the spokesperson of the Ibo group or nation?
> 3. Which audience are your write-ups directed at?
> 4. What are the objectives of these write-ups?
> 5. In your mind, can these write-ups educate anybody?
> 6. Is this the very best way, you perceive these problems can be resolved?
>
> Please, reply me comprehensively without getting infuriated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> L. Daria

+ +

unread,

Jun 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/23/00

Agu Nnaa,

Make you no mind the chap. His own Izon Ibe people are answering him. Here is a sample of what they are saying:

1. "I wonder for example why we could not systematically pursue our enlightened self- interest during the Civil War...It is ironic that it was instead during this period and its following years that we lost everything. As if to add insult to injury, the Petroleum Decree was promulgated in 1969 in the thick of the Civil War. Were our leaders slumbering then or were they, perhaps unwittingly, fifth columnists content with dazzling our simple folks...whilst turning a blind eye to the domino principle...?

(Nigerian Bar Asociation, Yenogua Branch as revealed to us by Ijaw National Congress)

2. "I am an Ijaw woman (and damned proud of it) whose mother is Ibo (and equally proud of it..."
(Loretta Mabinton)

What more can I say?

Mz Ani.

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