Igbos Are Not Biafrans

Igbos are not biafrans

Written By Nze Tobe Osigwe(Eze Ikolommụọ)

Igbos are Igbos! Igbos are not Biafrans!

As many Igbos are excited when they hear the word Biafra, there are also many Igbos who get angry when they hear the word. For these people, Biafra evokes nothing but a bitter memory of the past which they do not want to remember.

Mostly, elderly Igbos are seen in this later group. All the elderly Igbos that witnessed or fought the Nigerian Civil War also known as the Biafran war I have had a serious sit down with, either do not want to ever witness war again or do not want to hear the word Biafra again.

Today, many young Igbos who did not witness the war proudly refer to themselves as Biafrans. Some go as far as saying they are prepared to die for Biafra. Ask these people what does the word Biafra means there will be no elucidating answer.

Why are young Igbos so fascinated in having the same experience their parents had and regretted? It shows the vast disconnect between elderly Igbos and younger Igbos.

Perhaps, this vast disconnect is a product of exuberance attendant with youthful age which makes many youth believe they know more than their elders. Consequently, will succeed where those who came before them failed?

Well, till they achieve their aim, I believe it is improper for these young Igbos to refer to Igbo land as Biafra land or refer to Igbos as Biafrans. Insisting on doing so is nothing short of counting your chickens before they are hatched.

If some Igbos refer to themselves as Nigerians, it is understandable because Nigeria is a sovereign political entity which Igbo land is part of the territorial hemisphere that legitimately makes it up.

This is a self evident truth which no sane person can argue on or deny.

If we say Igbos were once Biafrans, it makes logical sense. But referring to Igbos as Biafrans when there is no part of Ala Igbo indigenously known as Biafra is nothing but living in the past or crass delusion.

It is more delusional after referring yourself as Biafrans you travel out of Nigeria with a Nigerian passport.

It is foolish after referring yourself as Biafrans you sing the Nigerian national anthem or support the Nigerian national team.

It is foolish after referring yourself as Biafrans you use the Nigerian police force when you have a case and also depend on the Nigerian judicial system for justice.

It is foolish after referring yourself as Biafrans you travel freely as a Nigerian within the regions and states that make up Nigeria.

Igbos once belonged to a nation known as Biafra does not mean Igbos are Biafrans. Igbos are Nigerians today, if tomorrow Nigeria ceases to exist is it proper to refer to Igbos as Nigerians?

Igbos are Igbos. We are also not Jews. Igbos are Igbos and Igbo land of today is part of Nigeria. The earlier we let this truth and consciousness sink in, the sooner we face the future and what it holds with clarity and sincerity.

No living Igbo person aside respect owes loyalty to Biafra because Biafra no longer exists. Biafra is gone and buried! Stop breathing life into the dead because what is dead is dead!

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