Abiakwala ha ozo

[Maurice O Ene]

>>> org ndm <ndm...@cldc.howard.edu> 04/21/98 10:59pm >>>
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>Unless the world wants to see General Abacha destroy Nigeria; unless
the world wants pictures of starving children strewn across their
television sets before acting; unless the world is indirectly telling
Nigerians to resort to any means they can mobilise to resolve fully and
finally the scourge of militarism in their country, this is not the time for
hemming and hawing while Nigeria burns. It is the time to act decisively.
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Umuibe:

The cycle of calumny is negotiating the last bend. Shall we say we did
not see it coming? "Agha akaluaka, o na-eli ngwuro?" [Does a declared
war consume the lame.] "Ukpana okpoko gburu" is stone deaf.

We have been there before. I pray everyday we don't ever relive the
physical experiences. If there is any time ndi Igbo in diaspora need to
come together and develop contingency plans, this is it. There may not
be any crisis beyond a replay of the early years of Mobutu's Zaire, but
these things don't ring bells. Let the WICs and WIL and other socially and
politically active groups begin today to establish contacts and a possible
anchor person for the sharing of info and coordination of activities. "O
lukwenu n'omume."

Let's forget our different nationalities all we want, but "agbacha egwu, o
naa n'ukwu." [Mgbe a na-egbu anyi n'Ugwu Awusa, ONE NIGERIA
dikwa.] Call me whatever name you like, but NDI IGBO must be careful at
this stage. Very careful. "Jaw-jaw" must give way to "do-do"; "a na-
ekwu ekwu, a na-eme" (talk the talk and walk the walk) should apply to
bothe west and east, Jews and gentiles. This rain must not catch us
unprepared -- umbrellas are not too expensive.

"Siddon Look" is a GREAT policy, but you don't completely "siddon dey
look" while someone plots the rape of your mothers, wives, sisters and
daughters -- and then cut off your manhood. If he says it, he might do it.
You may not attack, but you don't just "siddon dey look" just like that: You
think, you prepare for eventualities and you make sure the entire family is
safe and together. It is about the survival of the species; you adapt, you
talk and you call on "ndi ogo" and "ndi ibenne" -- in case the threat is
actualized. It's only a common tree that does not react when hewers
sharpen their sword or chainsaws are cranked.

I read the African Power Equation piece and I smile. Great piece.
Interesting data. I recall the "Third Force" movement and I look up. I see
many Igbophobes in the power equation. Someone will eventually win.
And what will be there for us? We have to begin to weigh our choices --
even as we "siddon dey look." I don't have the answers-- and I know we
cannot predict the future, but there is strength in unity, "igwe bu ike."

Things are happening, and something is bound to snap sooner than later.
May it not explode. And may we not be caught napping again. Then
again, may we not sharpen our knives and step out across the great
river, again; the family would be left unguarded and the rapist shall have
his "harem" functioning -- as was the case in September, 1967.

Ekenekwe m unu.

MOE