The Second Colonisation Of The Igbo People.

You must realise that Ndi Igbo are undergoing their second phase of colonisation. The first phase started in 1856, when the first set of missionaries docked at Onicha-Ahaba area. This first phase of colonisation ended in 1960.

The second phase of colonisation which is not as explicit or overt like the first phase started in January 1970 when General Olusegun Obasanjo received the instrument of surrender from Phillip Effiong.

The second phase of colonisation of Ndi Igbo is being done by our brothers, The Yorubas, who received the instrument of surrender. Remember, during the Nigerian civil war, there were three command battalions. The first Battalion led by a Northerner, came into Ala Igbo from Kogi-Nsukka area. The Second Battalion led by Murtala Mohammed, came into Ala Igbo from, Ahaba-Onicha area. Finally, the dreaded Third Battalion, led by the Black Scorpion, Adekunle.

This unit came into Ala Igbo from Cross-River- Portharcourt area. The Third Battalion was the most successful and the most ravaging of the units. The first two led by two Northern commanders didn’t make much progress. It was Adekunles unit that did the most. And when Adekunle was replaced by Obasanjo, it was this successful unit that was in the heart of Ala Igbo to receive the instrument of surrender. And, consequently, fly the rebellious Igbo leaders to Dodan Barracks to meet with Gowon.

Some mystics believe when Obasanjo received the instrument of surrender, something significant happened. Well, this may be a conspiracy theory, but all physical indices show our Yoruba neighbours are actually our new colonisers.

They control and checkmate their Igbo kins in the finance sector, the media sector, the entertainment sector and the religious sector. As for the political sector which is divided on North and South basis, they firmly control the Southern end of the stick.

All top Igbo politicians are Aremu’s loyalists or errand boys. Even some of the present Biafran agitators receive their mobilisation from the West. Obasanjo as of today, remains the one true King of Southern Nigeria. And to an extent, Generalissimo of Nigeria.

Few weeks back, OBJ was the Keynote speaker of Chinua Achebe’s memorial lecture held in America. The same Obasanjo that Achebe refused to receive a national award from when he was the president. This same Obasanjo is believed to have a tremendous influence over Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, the supposed official mouthpiece of Ndi Igbo.

Are you still in doubt about this second phase of colonisation?

Think about it;

Why is it that any Igbo leader that wants to have a national position must seek for Baba’s blessing?

Any Igbo entertainer, media practitioner, professional, that wants to be taken seriously must relocate to Eko?

Why do Igbo Christians readily adopt Yoruba pastors as their father in the Lord more than Igbo Pastors?

Why do many Igbo Dibias travel down to the west to energise their Okuku?

Why are many Igbo professionals falling over themselves to be members of Ogboni?

Additionally, many Ndi Igbo have adopted Yoruba language and culture over theirs. They have no problem with Yoruba tradition, but they despise their own tradition which they see as demonic.

One may argue that many Ndi Igbo in the North have also adopted Hausa language, that it is in the nature of Ndi Igbo to adopt the language and culture of their host community. I agree! But the facts on ground show the only people the competitive spirit of Ndi Igbo pose a challenge to are their Yoruba brothers. Thus, they have a legitimate reason to colonise and seriously checkmate them.

With these few points of mine, I hope I have been able to convince you that Ndi Igbo are in their second phase of colonisation. Meanwhile, there is nothing wrong with being colonised. It only becomes a problem when you do not know you are being colonised or checkmated.

Ezeikolomuo.