THE TALE OF THE INDOMITABLE ULI
BIAFRAN AIRPORT!!!
Uli Airport is a symbolic shrine, which remains the height of Blackman's greatest technological achievement to date.
The wonder of Uli Airport is yet to be matched by Blackman anywhere in the world.
The Airport and its structures have been deliberately left to decay, so as to attempt to obliterate the memory of an Igbo symbol of technological advancement, military superiority, resistance and survival. Had Igbo Day been held at Uli as scheduled earlier, its significance would have been almost impossible to express in words, in terms of its symbolicness and what Uli Airport represented and represents to Ndi Igbo.
Uli Airport,
The story as it goes was completely built from scratch by mostly Igbos. It was a military cum civil Airport. While supply aircrafts hovered overhead, the Airport was said to be in pitch darkness and at the right moment the runway lights would come on momentarily as aircrafts come in and land.
The aircrafts were said, according to legend, to taxi along runways, which terminated underground or into the trees, thus shielding them from enemy air-to-ground fire.
Meanwhile, federal airforce jets hovered overhead strafing at every and anything in the pitch darkness below.
It was said that any of the several run ways hit by a bomb or rocket was repaired immediately within minutes to enable the next supply aircraft hovering low overhead to land.
The supply aircrafts often had to circle flying low above the trees for hours, evading federal airforce Migs and jets.
Uli Airport became the Igbo lifeline during the economic blockade, Biafra having become landlocked and surrounded.
Uli Airport was of such importance or indeed of the most singular importance to Biafra and to Nigeria, so much so that the federalists landed a marine-borne invasion force at "Oguta II", which was only about 20 - 30 odd kilometers to Uli, so as to bring the Airport within artillery range.
Uli was so indispensable to the survival of Ndi Igbo, so much so that His Excellency General Ojukwu personally commanded the Biafran forces that defended "Oguta I" and liberated "Oguta II" within three days of the landing of federal forces in the area.
I was a kid then and I vividly recollect seeing General Ojukwu and his convoy drive past towards Oguta.
We were waving, cheering him and the troops being rushed to Oguta as they filed along, singing, some on foot, others on vehicles and tractors.
...
Not a single federal soldier who set foot on Oguta went home alive. They all perished - including some who came with family, livestock and supplies in several supply ships in the armada that invaded Oguta.
Many perished where their ships were sunk. The federal side risked and lost so much in that operation because they wanted Uli Airport at all costs.
Ndi Igbo threw everything at them because then, Uli was our lifeline and last hope. The defeat of the federalists at Oguta left a monument which remains at the Oguta lagoon until today - the carcasses of the sunk federal ships are still there.
Anyone who visits home should try, go and see for him/herself. General Ojukwu himself led the operation - that was how important and strategic Uli was and is to Igbos.
Then the federal airforce came with a new method. They would drop a round fluorescent light and suspend it in mid air.
This light shone like a moon. It was midnight and sometimes the first hours of the morning but you could pick up a pin or needle over a fifty or more kilometers radius from the almost daylight generated by this artificial moon.
You would be in pitch darkness, either sleeping or simply because the oil lamps had to be put out to avoid federal jets that fired at any trace of light, and suddenly it was daylight from this strange moon hanging over from the sky in the direction of Uli.
The first time it happened it was share panic and every one, old and young scurried into the bushes and the trenches.
I say panic because we as children could sense the disquiet amongst the adults and the share confusion and pandemonium that reigned at the first appearance of this strange moon.
Then the bombs, rockets and buffers (buffer was the Biafran anti aircraft guns used at Uli) would start to boom for what seemed like eternity and slowly the moon would die.
Within minutes of the silence of the guns, the supply aircrafts hovering low all across the horizon would again begin to land at Uli.
I heard the roar of every aircraft that landed at and took off from Uli and the deafening and terrifying boom and bang of every aircraft that crashed into the woods.
I was only a child, living a few kilometers away from Uli. Most nights you would come out and watch these huge metal birds with large wings hovering so low over the roof you had to think it would uproot the house with it like an eagle would lift a prey.
But these were no birds of prey, they brought us food, medical, military supplies and life, but you were scared all the same, least they crashed onto the roof. After all, they flew in pitch darkness, low, almost hugging the trees, with federal jets ruling the heights, strafing, and rocketing any trace of light.
They also had to keep away from ground fire from the buffer guns. I still wonder how those pilots flew those planes then.
Uli Airport was such a fortress that at a stage, the federal airforce jets and their pilots contrived to jettison their rockets, bombs and cannons at targets and bushes as far away as possible from Uli Airport.
And all the neighbouring communities, including mine paid dearly in loss of lives and damaged buildings, farms and economic trees. That was how powerful Uli Airport was.
Almost every Igbo who survived as a refugee, every child who was rescued from kwashiorkor and many who lived to tell the tale and to continue the procreation of the Igbo race today, towards its destiny, owed their survival to Uli Airport.
Every grain of rice or corn meal or garri gabon, every drip drop or tablet, every stick of stockfish or other nutrients, every and each single bullet or gun fired by NdiIgbo in self preservation and survival, at a stage was landed at Uli Airport.
His Excellency, General Ojukwu left the embattled Biafran enclave through Uli so he may live to fight another day, hence he is with us today.
In the last days and hours of Biafra in January 1970, even when the expedition force sent out probably from Uli Airport to blow up the Njiaba bridge at Awo-Omamma so as to hold the advancing federal troops there that had been destroyed by federal troops who had crossed the bridge much earlier than the Biafran forces could arrive and hold it, and the whole of Awo-Omama and environs had been taken by the rampaging federal forces, Uli Airport continued to fire mortars and shells in the direction of Awo-Omamma where they thought the federal troops were located.
In this respect, Uli Airport is symbolic for firing the first shot in defense of Igboland since the demise of Biafra. In a sense, Uli Airport remained undefeated and unsurrendered.
The airport smoked even after the very last moment of Biafra and the federals could not venture into its precincts until General Effiong and other officers had ensured and guaranteed their safety.
There could be no better place and symbol of Igbo resistance and survival than the vicinity of Uli Airport.
Igbo detractors hate the place, they would rather take the stand that it is wiped off the maps, never to be mentioned again. It was one place that was impenetrable and undefeated, defiant to the last, firing shells and mortars even after Biafra had formally seized to exist.
Egyptian pilots, Russian Migs and British jets firing and military advisers could not stop Uli Airport - the most sophisticated piece of engineering designed and constructed by a Blackman anywhere, and which surpassed what many a Whiteman can ever design or construct.
Any other country that had proper values would have turned Uli into a monument - tourist, spiritual or otherwise. The Igbo Nation will ensure that Uli Airport lives forever.
What about the courageous pilots who continued to fly to Uli Airport against all odds? They were not Igbo, but many of them perished trying to save Ndi Igbo, either shot down by federal airforce jets or ran out of fuel or crashed into the trees flying too low for hours waiting for the federal jets to run out of ammunition.
Part of the reason many of those pilots kept coming, notwithstanding the risks, was not only because they loved Igbos, but also because they had confidence in Uli Airport.
We have to rebury those pilots too.
Denying Igbos the use of such an edifice and symbol as Uli Airport as a place to celebrate the remembrance of their war dead is the most treacherous act that can ever be perpetrated against Ndi Igbo.
It is an act that appeases those who fail to appreciate the values of Ndi Igbo and it is an act that diminishes the Igbo spirit and a celebration of their survival and their triumph over adversity.
That singular act is sacrilegious and deserves appropriate punishment in accordance with Igbo traditions and custom as laid down by our ancestors, deities and gods.
~Francis Nnonso
''REMEMBERING NWAYEREUWA,
NWANNEDIA, IKONNIA & NWUGO.
I’m sure 90% of Africans, Nigerians and mainly people of Igbo origin who read the headline of this post will be like who the hell are these people?
Yes we wouldn’t know them because we’ve been busy learning about their Mother Theresa and the fraudulent story of Mary Slessor.
On this day 89yrs ago, in the morning of November 18th 1929, a man called Emereuwa upon the directive of his boss Okugo the warrant chief, walked into the compound of a widow called Nwanyereuwa, ordered her for a census of all her livestock and household. The widow Nwanyereuwa knowing the census will determined how much she will be taxed by the British colonial government, embittered, shouted on Emereuwa “was your widowed mother at home counted?” An angry exchange ensued. Nwanyereuwa resentfully rushed down to the town and market square, consulted other disgruntled women, They with palm fronds quickly mobilised other women. And that marked the beginning of one of the greatest resistance, rebellion and uprising the British imperial colonial rule ever faced in Nigeria 🇳🇬 and Africa in general, Called “#The_Aba_Womens_Riot” otherwise known as “#The_women_who_went_to_war”
While the men were subdued, while the man died in the men in the face of oppression and tyranny of colonialism. The women stepped up and in. Record has it that over ten thousand women were involved in this revolt, and about 50 women lost their lives in the war/riot. This resistance was orchestrated by ;
4) Wise, Counselling and strategic #Nwanyereuwa these were the women that led the Famous #Aba_Womens_Riot. Women from across Six ethnic groups were involved, the Igbos, Ibibio, Andoni, Ogoni, Bonny and Opobo
Hundreds of British colonial courts were burnt down and destroyed, hundreds of warrant chiefs were ostracised and banished. On the aftermath of the revolt, the British were forced to abandon the proposed plans to impose tax on the market women, powers of the warrant chiefs were considerably curbed and more robust room was created for women’s inclusiveness in the grand scheme of things.
The Aba women’s riot was on the scale never seen before. It prompted, encouraged and inspired subsequent agitations like;
1) The Tax protest of 1938
2) The Owerri & Calabar oil mill protest of the 1940s
3) The Onitsha Aba Tax revolt of 1956
Then consequently the Nigeria 🇳🇬 independence in 1960.
But unfortunately sad, when you drive through Aba today, you will see Faulks road, in owerri you will see Wetheral Road and Douglas road all of them are colonial relics. Imo state government house is called Douglas house, named after Harold Morday Douglas, a brutal British colonial district commissioner who orchestrated the Ahiara expedition of 1905 that saw villages wiped out.
Today one deranged governor of Imo State is busy moulding status of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia 🇱🇷 and Jacob Zuma of South Africa 🇿🇦, that has no connection or historical relevance to the people of Imo State. We’ve seen streets, roads, government buildings and and schools named after strangers, monuments raised for people of little or no importance to our history and future. But the real heroes, heroins and legends have been relegated to obscurity, sent to oblivion in a complete sheer and crass negligence.
I hope that one day, the Igbos, Ibibios, Andonis, Ogonis, Opobos and Bonnis will have a leadership that will remember these women, the fifty that lost their lives and all that paid the ultimate price, immortalise them. I hope one day I shall see Nwanyereuwa road, Ikonnia hospital, Nwannedia secondary school and Nwugo shopping plaza. I hope to see us name our children after these legendary women and mothers and tell them the story.
Today 18th November 2018, I remember the women who didn’t only fight against an oppressive British colonial rule, but also had to fight their own men (Warrant chiefs) who chose the side of the Oppressor because of crumbs that fall from the table of masser.
Aba women’s riot, the women who went to war. We remember.''
Written by Mazi Uba Acho.
The Standpoint!
© Chike Ofilli.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON THE IGBO:
Clearing the Basic Confusions Honestly
*Question: Is Southeast and Igboland the same thing?*
*Answer* : Not at all. Southeast is only about 3/5th of Igboland. Igboland covers the whole of Southeast, parts of Rivers, Delta, Edo, Cross river, Benue, Kogi and Akwa Ibom states.
*Question: Why were we taught in school that Igbo people are easterners?*
*Answer* : It is both an unfortunate parroting by teachers and careless adoption by Igbo educated class. Igbo people come from Southern Nigeria and not Eastern Nigeria. It may be correct to say that the Igbo are found predominantly in eastern Nigeria. However, by saying that the Igbo are easterners, the implication is that the Igbo in western Nigeria, numbering about 2.5 million (Agbor, Ogwashi Ukwu, Ibuzo, Okpanam, Asaba, Orimili, Ndokwa, Anioma, etc) are not Igbos. The best known Igbo anthropologist Professor Mike Onwuejeogwu is from the western part of Nigeria, Chukwuma Nzeogwu, Dennis Osadebe, Okonkwo Adibe (the famous musician), Sony Odogwu, etc. are all from the western part of Nigeria. They are no less Igbo than those who live in the eastern part of Nigeria. The correct answer to your question is “the Igbo come from Southern Nigeria.”
*Question: Why do some Igbo refer to themselves as “core Igbo?”*
*Answer:* That is clearly arrant nonsense. Nobody is core and others peripheral. All Igbo are the same. It is both arrogant, thoughtless and insensitive for anybody to regard others as marginal.
*Question: Is Igboland landlocked?*
*Answer:* Not at all. Igboland stretches from Port Harcourt to Agbor. The Atlantic ocean washes the shores of Igboland at the islands Opobo and Bonny, Africa’s second largest river – River Niger, traverses Igboland with one part of Igboland in the east and another part in the west of Nigeria. Oguta Lake has the potential of accommodating large ships and could be made a navigable port. If Igboland is landlocked, then all Nigeria is landlocked.
*Question: Is there oil in Igboland?*
*Answer:* Yes, indeed. There is a lot of Oil & Gas in Imo, Abia and currently in Anambra states, and Igbo areas in Rivers and Delta States. Besides, Igboland has many other natural resources, including Coal, Iron ore, Limestone, Lead, Zinc, Brine, Glass etc.
*Question: Are the Igbo a nation or a tribe?*
*Answer:* The Igbo are a nation, and a very large one. There are many dialects or tribes in Igbo nation, just like you have many tribes within Israel.
*Question: Why do some Ikwerre people and other non southeastern Igbo say they are not Igbo?*
*Answer:* First, it is not up to them to say what they are and what they are not. When God created them, He did not ask them who they wanted to be. He just created them Igbo. The only way you’ll know who belongs to what ethnic group in Nigeria is the name and what language the name comes from. Anybody whose name is Amadi or Onyeri, or Eke, or Odili, Wanodi (Nwanodi) does not need to tell you who he is. He is Igbo, notwithstanding their politics.
*Question: But they claim that their language is Ikwerre, not Igbo.*
*Answer:* That is politics. Ikwerre is a dialect of Igbo language. Just like an Ngwa man speaks Ngwa Igbo, Arochukwu speaks Arochukwu Igbo, Ika speaks Ika Igbo, Ibani speaks Ibani Igbo etc.
*Question: Some people say that Igbo language is not complete, is it true?*
*Answer:* No language is complete. All languages borrow from each other. Igbo language is very rich. It has inexhaustible and rich linguistic features like idioms, proverbs, aphorisms, sayings, anecdotes, riddles, folklores, etc. Igbo language is one of the major languages of the world, being spoken by millions of people.
*Question: How many are the Igbo?*
*Answer:* The Igbo are very numerous. There is educated guess that if Nigeria’s census is properly enumerated, the Igbo could easily be the largest ethnic group in the country. They may number up to 40 million. Everything right now, is speculation. Nobody knows the true stratification or ethnic populations in Nigeria. The Igbo are the only ethnic group found in large numbers everywhere in Nigeria, and foreign countries more than any other ethnic group in Africa.
*Question: Do the Igbo have a culture of their own?*
*Answer:* Yes, indeed. Igbo culture is perhaps, one of the richest and all-encompassing cultures in this world. Igbo culture always observes the temporal and the spiritual aspects of cosmology. The study of Igbo culture reveals that it is extremely deep and original.
*Question: Why do the Igbo wear Yoruba Agbada and Hausa babban riga but the Yoruba and the Hausa do not ever wear Igbo national dress?*
*Answer* : Unfortunately this is the case. The Igbo have very attractive and resplendent national dresses. And they come in assortments that are extremely dignifying. The Igbo take up foreign cultures more readily than other Nigerians, and they seem not to care that nobody reciprocates their carefree attitude to life. Most ethnics promote their cultures and show off what makes them unique. Actually, it is still the same so-called educated Igbo class who behave in such disgraceful and the devil-may-care attitude.
*Question: Why do the Igbo call themselves Biafrans?*
*Answer:* Great question. Some people have the idea that Biafra originates from the Bight of Biafra. But that is wrong. Biafra was the National name of Igboland given to Igbo by the Portuguese, just as Nigeria was named by the English of Britain. There was the Kingdom of Biafra that ruled most of the ancient subtropical Africa about 50,000 years ago. Unfortunately, nobody talks about it, for whatever reason (maybe because Portugal lost the colony right of Biafra to Britain who buried it, in other to promote Nigeria amalgamation), "I do not know". But, it is in the ancient maps of the world. If you wish search it in Google.
*Question: Were the Igbo also taken into slavery during the slave trade?*
*Answer:* Yes. The Igbo slaves themselves gave account of their travails in slavery. Olauda Ekwuano an Igbo ex-slave who bought his freedom in Britain was the first slave to write about his experience in slavery. His book has become a classic. You ought to find it and read it. Also, other Igbos who were brought to America revolted and some walked back on water and were said to have returned to Africa. Several books have been written about them. One of such books is “Ibo Landing.” It is available in bookstores like Barnes & Noble. In Haiti, the Igbo settled there and refused to be colonized by anybody. There are many places where the Igbo left their mark or their signature.
*Question: How did the Igbo know days and years?*
*Answer:* The Igbo invented an accurate, if not the most accurate calendar called “Iguafo Igbo (Igbo Calendar).” In Igbo calendar, there are four market days – Eke, Afor, Nkwo, Orie that make one week. Four days make one week, seven weeks make one month, and thirteen months make one year. There are 28 days for each month, with the last month having 29 days. Each month starts the same day as the previous. Igbo calendar forms the perfect astronomical alignment with the cosmos, and regulates the seasons, agriculture, navigation, astrology, geography, mathematics, travel, etc.
*Question: Did the Igbo have their own alphabet?*
*Answer:* Yes, indeed. It is called “Nsibidi.”
*Question: How about mathematics; did the Igbo know mathematics?*
*Answer:* Yes, indeed. There are such inventions as “Okwe” and “Mkpisi” which the Igbo used to resolve figures.
*Question: Did the Igbo know anything about banking?*
*Answer:* Yes. Igbo banking was more in the nature of Savings and Loans. The authentic Igbo savings and loans invention called “Isusu’ in which contributions are pooled each week and one person, who has the need, collects, is still in practice. Igbo slaves took this invention to the Caribbean Islands where they still practise it and call it “Sue Sue.”
*Question: Some people say that Igboland is too small for the Igbo, that they have no alternative than to live as Nigerians: is this true?*
*Answer:* False. Igboland is a large country. Do every Igbo need to stay and work in Igboland? No. Everywhere in the world, some will stay home while others venture abroad in search of opportunities. Igboland is large enough for the Igbo. And it is a very rich and hospitable part of the world. It has rich soil for agriculture, abundant rainfall, good sunshine, and table land in many parts. Its land space and population are more than that of over half of the present countries in the world.
*Question: Where did the Igbo come from?*
*Answer:* That question is still being asked. There are very intriguing theories or histories now being studied. You may have heard of the Jewish angle & the Egypt angle which are connected, and the Origin of man angle. This twenty-first century, hopefully, will resolve the mystery.
Share to educate others if you love Igbo.
About 30% Of Biafra Army
Were Ibibio
By Victor Wilberforce
General Effiong Was Deputy Head
of State and later Head of State of
the
Republic of Biafra. His brilliant
Declaration of Armistice and his
Surrender Maneuvers are still discussed in elite Military and
diplomatic institutions around the World. He was Ibibio.
NU Akpan was Biafra Secretary of State. He was the author of the
Declaration of Biafra. The brilliant Chief was Proudly Ibibio.
Colonel Archibong was the most decorated Biafra Commander. He was
Ibibio.
MT Mbu was Biafra Minister of Foreign Affairs and from Cross River
Dr SI Imoke was Biafra Minister of Refugee Affairs, he was from Cross
River
Okoko Ndem the golden voice of Radio Biafra who kept up the Spirit of
Biafra was Ibibio
Justice Udo Udoma, the legal luminary who used his immense stature
to argue Biafra case around the world was Ibibio.
Margaret Ekpo who organized Biafra women to meet the challenges of
the times was Efik from Cross River. Today the Calabar International
Airport is named after her. i Joe Wayas was Biafra Student Union
President. He was involved in many marches, protests and
fundraisings
around the World for Biafra. Joe Wayas is better remembered as
Senate
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was from Cross Rivers
The Akwa Ibom and Cross River people were the punching arm of
Biafra. Their contributions to the Biafra course cannot be
overemphasized.
May the unity of purpose that binds the SS and SE to the progress of
mankind never die
Amen.
(Victor Wilberforce is a critical thinker and a Social Engineer
The Republican News
IJAW BROTHERS AND SISTERS WERE DECEIVED
BY FAKE NIG ARMY
Most times you see some Ijaw brothers demanding that they did be removed from the map of Biafra. Some said no one consulted them, while some others simply detest the Igbo.
The Biafra we seek is completely different from Nigeria. In Biafra we continuously say that no one will be forced into Biafra. And we mean everything of it. I think that is why IPOB maintain and stand on referendum, both internal and external referendum.
I did my NYSC in Bayelsa, the heart of Ijaw nation. During my stay, I queried one teacher on Biafra question. I asked him if he supports Biafra. He told me he preferred Niger Delta. He told me about Isaac Boro and his revolution.
I also noticed that my students have this negative notion about the Igbo. Most of them have been fed with tons of lies and myths about the Igbo, such that most of them hardly freely relate to Igbo people.
What must have caused this? I mean the bad blood. Igbo and Ijaw have never had histories of war. They lived together and traded together. My grandmother told me about their long distance trade expedition in the olden days. He told me about walking on foot to Oron and Igwenga. I think Oron is around Cross River, while Igwenga is in today's Rivers. Opobo to be precise. If these interactions happened, then why the misunderstanding? I think the civil war played a major part here. Many Ijaw families believed Biafra soldiers killed their people. That's exactly what Nigeria side made them understand.
During Biafra war, Nigeria government needed to break ranks between Igbo and their riverine brothers, so they staged a show to that effect. They used Biafra military uniform to attack villages in the riverine Biafra and also staged a rescue with military men wearing Nigeria military uniform. These became the game changer.
Biafra military isn't made of only Igbo people. They are made up of Igbo, Ijaw, Efik, Oron etc. Even the second in command was an Efik man, by name Philip Efiong. How then did Biafra soldiers attack their own?
Another thing to point out is that during the civil war of 1966/70, Biafrans have limited ammunition. According to Madiebo, it reached a time they had to use sports equipments to make sounds of gunshots as to keep the enemy off them, till they get supply or ambush the enemy to capture weapons. They most times forced their enemies into free for all dual. Such unequipped military can't waste their little ammunition on their fellow defenseless country men. I think it's time to kill this Nigeria propaganda.
Yes, some were forced into becoming soldiers, but the truth is that it happened everywhere.
It is certain that Nigeria offers us no alternative other than Biafra freedom. And we all need each other if we must free ourselves from Nigeria. This is the time to open up our eyes and see what Biafra offers us all. I believe that an Ogoni man needs freedom. He needs to be in charge of his natural resources and make decisions on how to rebuild Ogoni land. Biafra got you covered. Biafra cannot offer Ijaw man amnesty nor 13% derivation. It hands over your resources to you. It allows you govern your people and make your own laws. Something Nigeria can't give. Instead of fighting against Biafra, while not present how you want things to be in Biafra so that we can forge a common unity.
But the truth is, in as much as we advocate for Biafra, we can't force unwilling people into Biafra as not to have another Nigeria in Biafra. We should understand that the current division in Nigeria is a product of the caliphate. It was simply done to divide us all the more. South East and South South is a nonsense creation. That's because South South still houses lots of Ndi Igbo. So you have to understand that even if we must divide further, the division pattern can never go the way of the caliphate.
Every part of Biafra is richly blessed. Both humanly and naturally. The only enemy standing on the door of our progress is ONE NIGERIA.
Jettison all you were told and think about this.
