C. Kingston Ekeke, Ph.D Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Listen to the Word of the LORD - As a prophet of the Most High God, I warn that
Gowon and Obasanjo should be barred from Ojukwu's funeral and committal
services. I bring the Word of the LORD to the family of late Dim Ojukwu and to
the organizing committee planning the burial arrangements in honor of late Dim
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to exclude Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo from participating in the burial rites and ceremonies of late Ojuwku.
Ojukwu's spirit will be provoked and the Wrath of the LORD will be poured out if
Gowon and Obasanjo were to participate in any way during the funeral services of
late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Also the spirits of our ancestors and the
3.1 million souls that perished during the civil war will be infuriated.
I also want to applaud the chairman of World Youth Council, Mr. Chuks Ibegbu for
his wisdom and the courage to caution former Nigerian heads of state, Gen.
Yakubu Gowon and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for their unwise and irresponsible
comments on the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. I agree with Mr. Ibegbu
that their comments were insulting and unpardonable. I could not believe that
so-called statesmen and elders could utter such statements. Generally, people
don't speak ill of those who have passed on – even if they were not friendly or
an enemy. Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo have shown that they are very
unwise and unintelligent elderly statesmen. They were former Heads of State and
President, who had benefited so much from Nigeria and continues to reap the
benefits of a chaotic and confused Nigerian State. Gowon and Obasanjo were
presumed to have accurate history of Nigeria as former heads of state and
leaders during the tumultuous period of Nigeria-Biafra civil war, yet they are
unable to speak the truth even in the death of their archenemy. It is sad,
hypocritical and cowardice act on their part.
Why would Ojuwku tender an apology or ask for forgiveness as some have foolishly
uttered in the past – including the former governor of Abia State, Governor Orji
Kalu, who cowardly called Ndi-igbo to apologize for fighting the civil war. This
is the same sentiment in the Northern and Western regions that Easterners – in
fact Ndi-igbo should apologize for defending themselves against the evil empires
of Britain and others. Why would Ndi-igbo apologize for defending themselves
against genocide? Why would Ojukwu or any true Igbo man or woman apologize to
Nigeria for the 1965/66 massacre of their sons and daughters in Northern
Nigeria? Why would Ndi-igbo apologize for waging a war against an international
conspiracy and orchestrated plan to exterminate them from their land? Why would
any Easterner today apologize to Nigeria, Britain, Egypt, and major Arab
countries for their ill-conceived, evil, wicked and satanic plan to kill all
Christians and make Nigeria an Islamic State?
Gowon is a coward and a hypocrite. It is only in Nigeria that people like him
could govern and continues to walk around freely. In a civilized and sane
society, Gowon should have been imprisoned for war crimes - atrocities and
genocide, he, Britain and others committed against innocent civilians – women
and children. If Gowon is a genuine and an honest leader, he should have
implemented the end of war slogan before he was booted out of office. If he is a
true statesman, as presumed, he should have been influencing the Boko Haram sect
leaders and their sponsors to lay their weapons and engage in dialogue rather
than senseless bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians – mostly Igbos and
Christians in the North. Today, the North is labeled a terrorist region – the
Somalia state of Nigeria.
This idea of apology comes from a warped teaching and misunderstanding of the
basic biblical teaching on forgiveness. The Bible never taught that the offended
one should apologize or ask for forgiveness – but to forgive those who offended
or sinned against him. In Luke 23: 34a, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for
they do not know what they are doing." The Jews and Roman authorities crucified
Jesus because he claimed to be the Son of God, which is tantamount to being God
(Matthew 26:63-65). In that short prayer, Jesus was not asking his brutal
murders for forgiveness, instead Jesus was asking the Father (God) himself to
forgive those who were killing him because he knew the extent of God's wrath
upon evil men. Jesus was innocent of the charges against him, but he also knew
that those who crucified him were ignorant men. They were not really bad people
but blind people. They were not wicked people but people without the wisdom of
God. Those who crucified Jesus were humanly wise and self-righteous religious
elite of the day who knew the law and religious ceremonies better than anyone
yet; they did not know the God of the Scriptures. They were ignorant, misguided
and stupid people who thought that they were doing God a favor. That is exactly
what Nigeria, Britain, USSR, Egypt and most Arab countries did to Biafra and
continue to do it today.
Another passage was in the Gospel of Matthew 18:21-22, the Apostle Peter asked
Jesus, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?
Up to seven times! Peter was being generous here, because according to rabbinic
traditional teaching, an offended person needed to forgive a brother only three
times. Jesus' reply to Peter's question was that forgiveness needs to be
exercised to a much greater extent. Not just seven times, but seventy times
seven, that 490 times. Here Jesus meant that no limits should be set. To
complete the teaching on forgiveness, Jesus went on to tell them the parable of
the Unmerciful Servant in verses 23-35 of that same chapter. The Lord's teaching
on forgiveness simply means that God has forgiven all of our sins by faith in
Jesus Christ and therefore, when someone offends or sins against us, we should
be willing to forgive them no matter how many times or grave the offense might
be – whether or not the offender offers an apology or asked for forgiveness.
So, Gowon, Obasanjo, the Nigeria State, Britain, former Soviet Union, Egypt, and
Arab countries should ask for forgiveness. It is ironic for them to expect
Ojukwu to tender an apology. They can forgive themselves. They don't need any
apology from Ojukwu, Biafra or Ndi-igbo. After mankind sinned against God in
Garden of Eden in Genesis 3, God did not ask Adam, Eve or the serpent for an
apology or for forgiveness, instead God grieved and regretted that he made man
(Genesis 6:6). Even though God had the power to wipe mankind from the face o f
earth, he chose to forgive himself and then provided a ransom for the sins and
salvation of mankind. That's why the Bible says, "Because of the Lord's great
love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails." – Lamentations 3:22
A person can receive forgiveness whether or not the offended party tenders an
apology. When someone wrongs me, I don't ask for his or her apology, whether he
apologizes or not, it is his prerogative. However, I must ask God for
forgiveness. I must ask God to forgive him or her for the wrong done to me. I
don't need that person to tender an apology before I can receive forgiveness
from God. It is God who requires our apology and our forgiveness not any human
being. It is therefore ridiculous that Gowon and Obasanjo - men who claim to be
Christians are waiting all these years for Ojukwu and Ndi-igbo to apologize to
them. It is absolutely insane for anyone to expect an apology from Ndi-igbo. It
is tantamount to tendering an apology or asking forgiveness to a man who raped
your wife or daughter.
Gowon is leading an international prayer ministry and Chief Olusegun probably
still studying to obtain his doctorate in Theology, yet these men do not
understand the biblical message of forgiveness. They are the ones who should ask
God for forgiveness and tender an apology to Biafra and Ndi-igbo for their
atrocities and massacre of innocent Igbo people, for using punitive measures to
starve innocent Igbo children and women and for creating the marginalization and
hopelessness that exist today in Igbo land. The Nigerian State should repent and
ask God for forgiveness – not Ojukwu, Biafra or Ndi-igbo. The Nigerian State
should tender an apology for her atrocities against innocent children and
defenseless women.
Forgiveness is tended by repentant sinners and apology is made to those an
offence is committed against. Is the Nigerian State the offended party or
Biafra? Isn't it the Nigerian State the one that should apologize to Biafra, a
group that was merely defending themselves? To be candid, I expected Gowon,
Obasanjo and all the accomplices of the genocide war against Ndi-igbo to
apologize and ask for forgiveness so that Nigeria can move forward peacefully.
Gen. Yakubu Gowon, in particular, should use the occasion of the passing of
Ojukwu to confess his war atrocities and apologize to Ndi-igbo instead of making
such false comments about Aburi peace talks, which he reneged. Gowon and
Obasanjo are not compassionate leaders. They lack wisdom and discernment as
leaders. And leaders without compassion are unfit to lead anyone and nation.
Gowon and Obasanjo are also unmerciful and evil men. They need to repent and ask
God for forgiveness. Their comments on late Ojukwu are unwise, unintelligent,
and loathsome. Their comments are loaded with hateful tone and prejudice against
Ndi-igbo. As long as this kind of anger, bitterness, hatred, resentment, and
animosity persist among Nigerians, the nation cannot make any genuine progress.
I have written many times that without genuine forgiveness and reconciliation,
there cannot be order, unity and peace in Nigeria. Nigeria cannot move forward
as a nation and fulfill her common purpose and destiny until she repents and ask
for forgiveness for the souls of those that perished during civil war. Nigeria
truly needs a genuine commission for national reconciliation that addresses the
hurts of our past and recommends solutions for healing, peace, and unity.
Answering hateful comments and commentaries against late Odemegwu Ojukwu and
Ndi-igbo:
Let me begin by answering some critics and hateful comments:
1. The recent outrageous statement by Solicitor & Advocate of the Supreme Court
of Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Adegoke
The recent outrageous statement made by a Solicitor & Advocate of the Supreme
Court of Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, is regrettable. Mr. Kunle Adegoke said I
quote: "If they (Baifra-Ndi-igbo) attempt the same thing again, we shall wipe
them off the surface of the earth. `Ebi loko yin' – meaning "starvation is your
albatross."
First, here is a very learned man working in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Imagine the kinds of decisions this hateful man will be taking against Ndi-igbo.
Second, has Mr. Adegoke read Nigeria history – especially the Nigeria – Biafra
civil war? Even if he was unborn then or a toddler such as many of us,
nevertheless, there are good number of books on Nigeria –Biafra civil war which
he can read. Third, do our barrister and solicitor–general not see the injustice
in the Federal System? He is a legal luminary and should know better that there
is gross injustice in Nigeria against Ndi-igbo, the minorities, poor, and women
and so on. Fourth and finally, debased minds like him should be not working in
the Supreme Court. Mr. Kunle Adegoke should resign or be fired for his hateful
comments and innuendos against Ndi-igbo.
2. Who released Chief Obafemi Awolowo from Calabar prison
Chief Awolowo was and still a revered political leader and elder in Yoruba land.
We all have respect for a visionary man like him. The political history of
Nigeria cannot be written without his name being mentioned. He was a great
political figure and icon, who fought for the welfare of Yoruba people. The high
level of enlightenment and educated Yourbas today can be attributed to his
vision and importance of free education in the Western region. However, the
question of who – Ojukwu or Gowon released him from Calabar prison should be the
ultimate question. The ultimate question that should be asked is this, why did
such a respected leader renege on his promise to pullout Southwest region from
Nigeria once the Eastern region secedes? That's the real question that needs to
be answered. If Gowon, who was then the head of state, had promised to appoint
him as Finance Minister, it means that Chief Awo sold out and preferred bread
and butter rather standing on his word and promise. The second question is why
Chief Awolowo introduced monetary policies that were purely punitive and
spiteful treatment of the Igbos, whom he had already defeated in war. His
monetary policies such as – change of currency, twenty pounds policy, starvation
measures, abandoned property and so on, was detrimental to the Igbos. It was a
nine years of spiteful and pernicious treatment of people who had already lost
everything. That was evil and mischievous.
3. Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu referred as a warlord
Late OJUKWU was not a warlord but a courageous and visionary leader. A man who
defended himself and his beloved Ndi-igbo against genocide and international
conspiracy cannot be referred as a warlord. He was a brave and courageous man,
who abhorred injustice and was willing to pay the ultimate price for it. H e was
a brave man and a courageous leader. Late Emeka Ojukwu, according to my
estimate, remains one of the greatest Nigerian leader and visionaries.
4. The notion that Ojukwu was arrogant.
He may have sounded arrogant to his elders, who were more of saboteurs and
traitors than genuinely trying to help him to wage the war against the greedy
North and hypocrite British Empire that wanted to take control of the oil
wealth, which unfortunately they still control today. Do I blame Ojukwu who
returned to Nigeria with first class honors in History from Oxford University,
UK, only to be subordinate and take orders from an illiterate and junior army
officer Yakubu Gowon, who could not speak English then, more or less understand
the complex world history, economics and international politics? But the
shameless British people empowered him and the North to kill the Igbos because
they were afraid of Ojukwu, who was by the way, their product. Ojukwu was well
known in United Kingdom than in the United States of America. He was their
product, yet they conspired against him. If Ojukwu killed any Igbo, first, it
was because they were saboteurs and traitors; second, it was because of his love
for Ndi-igbo. Such saboteurs do not need to remain in the group or stay alive
anyway.
Ojukwu ran away to Ivory Coast.
That was the plan of surrender – they wanted him to leave and let Effiong
Phillip surrender to the Nigerian army. The president of Ivory Coast offered him
asylum. Former president Olusegun Obasanjo offered Asylum to former Liberian
president, Charles Tyalor. It is one of the established rules of engagement in
peace negotiations and accords.
Ojukwu should have asked for forgiveness
For those insinuating or even suggesting that Ojukwu should ask for forgiveness
are completely ignorant and stupid. How can someone ask for forgiveness when he
did not offend anyone? How can someone ask for forgiveness when he was defending
his life, family and people? I was disappointed and still remain disappointed
when former governor of Abia State, Chief Uzo Orji kalu, called on Ndi-igbo to
apologize for fighting a war of self-defense. How myopic and ignorant can anyone
be, even to suggest that? I don't even know what Gowon and Obasanjo are talking
about. They have been beneficiaries of all that is wrong in Nigeria.
Igbo presidency in 2015 will make Ojukwu's heart merry
I disagree with IBB that Igbo presidency in 2015 will placate the Igbos and make
Ojukwu happy in his grave. Ojukwu had already liberated and freed a people and
now the power and their destiny is in their hands. Really what Igbos need is not
the presidency – even though it's long overdue. What Ndi-igbo needs is unity,
good leaders and innovative ways to woo Igbos in Diaspora to create wealth in
Igboland. Frankly, Ndi-igbo are their own worst enemies. There is no unity but
envy and jealousy. Unity is essential and a powerful tool for achieving
greatness and fulfilling God plans and purposes. No group or race of people will
be able to achieve greatness without unity. Unity is strength and a vital
ingredient for any meaningful success in life. Ndi-igbo must pursue unity and
peace. Ndi-igbo must learn how to create, instill, and appreciate unity.
Ndi-igbo must put-out the sycophants and those who create disunity among them. A
wise group of people do all they can to build unity. Unity means so much for the
development and progress of any nation or group of people. It is a pre-requisite
to progress and sustained success. Unity is essential. It has to be sought and
taught. Jesus said, "A house dividend against it couldn't stand." He spoke a
truth that is applicable to every human endeavors and situations. Ndi-igbo
should not be afraid to standup against agents of disunity in their midst and
within their land. Seeking unity is an absolute responsibility of truly genuine
and authentic leaders. Ndi-Igbo leaders – political, business, religious, and
traditional leaders have failed the Igbo people in that area.
Immortalize Ojukwu
I respectfully disagree with the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh,
who said that there is no need to immortalize Ojukwu because he had already
immortalized in people hearts and minds. I believe that immortalizing Ojukwu is
of paramount importance. I agree that he had already been immortalized in the
hearts and minds of those who knew him. What about 30, 50, or 100 years from
now– when a whole new generation will be born that will only read about him in
the history books – and most of that history may be distorted. Naming certain
institutions in Igboland or renaming certain streets, universities, state
buildings, monuments, etc., would be the appropriate thing to do to immortalize
this great and courageous man. Ndi-igbo should be working to immortalizing
Ikemba of Nnewi period!
Let me conclude by repudiating those who call me an Igbo bigot, Zionist and
every hellish and curse words under heaven. First of all, I still love you no
matter what you call me, think of me, or perceive me to be. Second, I know my
history and origin very well. I'm proud to be identified with one of the largest
ethnic groups of Nigeria - Ndi-igbo. In fact, I'll argue that all the
ethnicities in the former Eastern region are part of the ethnic group called
"Ndi-Igbo." – It does not matter whether you are Igbo, Ibibio, Annang, Oron,
Mbe, Okobo, Izon, Efik, Eket, Niger Delta, Kalabari, Andoni, Ijaw, Opobo, Bonny,
Ikwere, or even Ndoki – where I am from. We are all part and parcel of the Igbo
stock. Thirdly, I love justice, fairness and righteousness and hate with passion
- injustice. I do not dislike any Nigerian – no matter where they come from. In
fact, my few and best friends are from Northern and Western Nigeria. I have
Yorubas, who are members of my extended family as result of marriage. I have
beautiful relatives, who were married by Northerners and others taken by force
as wives during the war. Frankly speaking, dividing Nigeria will be like
dividing one big multi-ethnic family. It will not be easy and many will be hurt
if that happens. However, that does not negate the fact that there is so much
injustice, bitterness, resentment, and hatred toward Ndi-igbo. That's not right,
it is not fair and it should stop now. We can work out our differences and seek
ways to co-exist without this prolonged rancor and resentment. It's not going to
help the nation flourish.
I will not waste my time to respond to other jealous critics about my
educational qualifications, quality and length of my articles. I'll suffice to
say, that I do not claim to be Prof. Chinua Achebe, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof.
Okey Ndibe, and many other excellent Nigerian writers and poets. I am not a
trained journalist and I'm not a poet. I can't write your 2-3 page articles to
appease your mind and thinking. I pour my heart in my essays. By the way, my
articles are prophetic messages to a nation that God has assigned me to live in.
I'll not let it go under. I must preach justice and righteousness. I must do the
work of God. It is just one of my dearest ministries. So, don't read my articles
if it does not meet your standard or expectation of me. I am not writing to
appease your gullible mind but to un-clutter it and empower you to change. I
have my audience and I'm very satisfied by the positive feedback and generous
comments I receive from them.
For years, I have offered solutions in my essays on religious, moral, social
issues and especially on leadership, which is the subject of my passion. What
some of you are doing is taking the ideas to make money – organize seminars,
workshops and conferences and write books without giving credit to anyone. I am
not claiming all the ideas are mine but when you use someone else writings, you
should be able to give him or her credit. I have even seen my articles
republished in Nigerian newspapers – 100 % verbatim. I have bought your books on
leadership, where I read almost verbatim my essays on leadership. Nevertheless,
as a public theologian, social critic and mostly importantly messenger of God,
as long as I have breath in me, I will continue to passionately address the
political, religious, moral, social and leadership challenges of our nation –
Nigeria. So, your threats are empty threats and you can't do me anything unless
God Almighty permits it. By the way, I'm not writing for your government job. I
care less really about your government position. God is my provider and my
source.
Chima Kingston Ekeke, Ph.D., is a theologian, author, consultant and leadership
scholar. He is the president of Leadership Wisdom Institute.
No comments:
Post a Comment