SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH GLOBAL STAR
NEWS PAPER
PAGE 4, VOL 1, NO 35, 2004
GRANTED BY NNAMDI OBODOECHI
BY ISAAC UMUNNA, TITLED BIAFRA COMES ALIVE IN
EUROPE
‘’Unknown to many people back home in
Nigeria, Biafra is alive and well in Europe following the campaign of
Pro-Biafra groups and individuals over there. One of such Biafran activists is
Senior Elder Nnamdi Obodoechi who was a chieftain of the Movement for the
Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in Nigeria until last
April when he fled to Europe, claiming persecution by the Nigerian authorities
in this exclusive online interview which he granted GLOBAL STAR, Obodoechi,
variously known as Nwa Biafra (Child of Biafra) and Biafran Ambassador, gives
an idea of what’s happening in Europe the Biafra Struggle.’’ Excerpts.
Q: GLOBAL STAR: Sir; can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Answer: Obodoechi: Well, I am Senior Elder
Nnamdi Obodoechi, also known as NwaBiafra. I hail from Ihiala in Ihiala local
government area, Anambra State, Biafra.
Q: We understand that you were involved in
the activities of MASSOB before you traveled to Europe. How true is this and
what was the extent of your involvement?
Answer: Yes before I left Lagos, Nigeria, for
Europe, I was full fledged member of MASSOB and I got my full share of police
and government brutality. For, example, on Tuesday, April 18, 2000, by 11am to
12noon, men of the Nigeria mobile Police got 66 members of MASSOB arrested at
Agboju Festac second gate Lagos State, Nigeria, and I happened to be one of
them. As usual, we were having our normal peaceful rally, all crying for the
independence or freedom of the oppressed Easterners, especially NdiIgbo in
Nigeria. Nigeria as a country should not have been one nation bound in love and
unity because they are of different ethnicities, religions, languages, and
different cultures. As for the extent of my involvement, I was the Supervisor
for welfare and later was promoted to commissioner for welfare, Surulere
Province “A” under the leadership of Mr. Valentine Ohakposim, the Provincial
Administrator.
Q: When exactly did you join MASSOB and what
motivated you?
Answer: I joined MASSOB on December 10, 1999,
under the divine revelation of Yahweh, the true leader of Biafra. Another
reason that motivated me was the Igbo Massacre at Asaba during the war of
genocide against Easterners by the Northerners / Nigeria, during which 500 men
were buried alive, even as their parents watched helplessly. Another reason was
the massacre of Easterners especially the Igbo, in the Northern parts of
Nigeria and it worried my mind a lot.
Q: What has been your experience as a member
of MASSOB? Do you have any regret, and why?
Answer:
Despite what I have suffered in the hands of the intolerant Nigerian
security agents, I don’t have any regret, because our struggle for freedom is a
divine one. As Moses fought for the freedom of the Israelites, so I am out to
live and die for the redemption of the Biafrans citizens in Nigeria. I would
rather die for Biafra than abandoning the good fight for freedom through
non-violence and non-exodus, which is our motto.
Q: When did you leave for Europe and under
what circumstances?
Answer: I left Nigeria for Europe in the
Month of March 2004. I left because I’ve encountered many persecutions and
tribulations in the campaign for Biafra’s autonomy. I’ve been arrested and
thrown into prison several times and I was declared wanted by the recent regime.
Q: We understand that you’re regarded as one
of Biafra’s ambassadors in Europe. Where exactly are you based in Europe?
Answer: My base in Europe has nothing to do
with your question. Europe is not like Nigeria, where truth does not see the light
of the day, while falsehood reigns and where citizens don’t have right to
express their feelings. The important thing is that I am helping to keep
agitation for Biafra’s autonomy alive here in Europe.
Q: What is the level of awareness of Biafra
in Europe and how do people generally react to the Biafra struggle?
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