Monuments & Recognitions: The Nigerian Way , the Wrong Way !

By

Ndubueze Godson III

biafraalways@yahoo.com

You damn right I just refused to go away I refuse to die not for the cassava nation, Nigeria anyway unless there are things yet unknown about that dysfunctional entity.  

Ah ha! As my Igbo forebears would say; “where a crying child points there you would either find that child’s mother or father” thus all the numerous articles on the evils of Nigeria cannot be discounted because they point out the facts as it exists. The time has come for Nigerians to demand that all the monuments that honor THIEVES, KILLERS, HOODLUMS and the poster boys for corruption with immediacy be expunged from that nation. Often times we hear that one who ignores history is bound to repeat history’s fallacies therefore Obasanjo should have learned a thing or two from what happened to Saddam Hussein in Iraq or to his uncle Abacha since the day of reckoning is just seconds away and around the bend. As an advocate of common sense and good governance the encumbrance of putting out information that highlights the follies of this twisted regime falls on writers with good conscience whose overriding interests are the general happiness and well being of the people not the ethnicity of a crooked president, governor, contractor, minister, so on and so forth.

“If you’re not ready to die for Nigeria then you’re not fit to answer a Nigerian.” – Obasanjo.

 

History is replete with people who have died and continue to in defense of their countries from external aggression or democratic goals. In order for one to pay the ultimate sacrifice the cause should be worth the final outcome. And I don’t believe Obasanjo or anyone in his illegitimate government has established beyond the rhetorical sense of civic the logic behind this stupid call. Isn’t it pure madness for a government not driven by the general welfare of its population to call on them to die for her? Nigerians are yet to experience governance imbued by the fundamental tenet of a true egalitarian system based on government of, by and for the people that pursues ideals that is in the overall interest of the common man but this does not stop Nigerian Nebuchadnazzer from insulting their sense of worth with his mean spirited and unintelligent atrocious call for them to lay their lives. Conversely Obasanjo’s preoccupation is the protection of the Abuja bandits erroneously known as politicians and their cabals in other areas of the sad entity negatively known around the globe as Nigeria but the sane ones know it as a “palmy” nation. Wouldn’t it have been much easier if he had identified the country (if he could find it) first before the premature call for his dazed followers to surrender their lives for something that does not exist? The physical landmass believed to be Nigeria by any stretch does not register in peoples’ hearts even the self acclaimed lovers of Nigeria are not willing and ready to terminate their lives for her. And let’s not forget that Obasanjo chickened out when it was necessary in 1995 to take one on the chin for Nigeria ’s sake. A real coward indeed! Who with Oladipo Diya prostrated to a major with teary eyes soliciting Al Mustapha’s intervention to sway “oga” to spare their lives. National disgrace!

 

Since Obasanjo has made the identification process easy I wonder out of curiosity how many of our Hausa, Yoruba and Bini friends are willing to die for their Nigeria . None so far have publicly volunteered to die for the same dump they screech their daily holy cow about, who is fooling whom? I am more gratified today by the confirmation of my belief that I was never a Nigerian even when the wicked British Lords jammed people who do not look, act, speak, dress and worship alike together. Americans are able to die in a heartbeat for her based on the good governance they enjoy to them it is a thing of pride and joy to wear their flag anyhow they deem whereas in the dummy of a nation, a banana republic the British call Nigeria her citizens get roughed up for hanging, displaying, flying etc the colors of the flag yet they should die for what again? Sorry I forgot! If only the stealing political class is allowed to fly or display the flag of a so-called nation, what sense is there to ask someone who have no clue how the damned crap look like to die for it? Another stupid and ancient behavior is the humiliating treatment meted out to someone whose crime is his unfortunate ownership of an automobile that has a slight green coloration. What precisely the hell is going on, folks? Does the bogus document they call constitution specify certain colors for their militia more like guerillas even at that does the word amendment mean a thing and if it does then I submit they start without much ado to do just that. What in the world is a civilian administration still doing with a document orchestrated by the militia boys? What the hell is “army color?” What army for crying out loud? The one that has never experienced any external wars or did they replace the familiar tired one we know with one that missed a ripe opportunity to show what stuff they are made of in defense of Bakassi Peninsula . During their encounter with the Serria Leonean rebels, which by the way should qualify for a National Shame Award they buckled and ran like a wounded month old puppy when cornered. But for the grace and gallantry of CNN news staffs that rescued them by offering some type of bribe to the ill equipped Serria Leonean militias the so-called Nigerian army would have been toast. Given the foregoing are Nigerians still bound to heed the stupid ill-advised call to die?

 

Obasanjo’s simplistic definition of who’s qualified to bear this unfortunate appellation disqualified a great many who by the way see no sense in associating with his Nigeria nonetheless, wasn’t General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Agoinyi-Ironsi, who surrounded himself with a bunch of Awusa thugs; Yakubu Gowon, Theophilus Danjuma, William Welbe, Hassan Katsina, Murtalla Mohammed and many, many more of these untrustworthy killers the first to die for your Nigeria? Even as a youngster I wondered what Ironsi was thinking or was he practicing Obasanjo’s “One Nigeria” joke when he encircled himself with “Murder, Inc.,” didn’t his mother taught him better? Could you then tell us sir, in your usual embarrassingly heavily accented broken/pidgin English what this true detribalized first son and his family (Igbo) got from your Nigeria with the exclusion of the insults and more insults, please? My ears are itching to hear the junk that might spill from you and your handlers, as there exists no foreseeable intelligent extenuation point. Ironsi neither participated nor supported any coup in fact it’s on record that he followed the military’s code of conduct when he ordered the arrest of the plotters. So tell us about his crimes again, liar! A man who was the first African to have had the honors of commanding a U.N peacekeeping mission in the Congo , a feat yet unmatched by any was murdered in cold blood yet a mediocre had the nerve to explain it away in such a phantom fashion. He was equally the first indigenous military adjutant of a country the Awusa in connivance with their Yoroba and Bini helpers turned upside down, inside out that metamorphosed into an unripe plantain republic. Someone said it better when he heard Obasanjo’s quoted insanity, said he, “Nigerians are already dead men walking what else does Obasanjo want from them?” What else?

 

How many monuments bear this gallant soldiers’ soldier’s image in honor of his memory, history and death; tell us how many of you still remember this hero? Please don’t count the withholding of his entitlements as something worth noting, I thought I let you know in advance considering your numerous follies in the past a fumble is expected hence my caution. Check you guys out when the question relating to Abacha’s military entitlements was asked, “He is not to be paid pensions but if the family applies by writing to me, we will pay.” In the same breathe the man charged with overseeing the pension of ex-military men and women responded when asked about General Ironsi’s entitlements; “I am not quite sure of that since that took place long ago, but if their families apply, we will process.” - Director of Military Pensions, Group Captain Adamu Bargo Kachiro; Thisdayonline June 30, 2004 . The use of two distinct languages (pay & process) to describe or explain the reason behind the delay of entitlements to these ex-military heads buttresses the general discrimination the Igbo nation has undergone in a country they want us to believe is “one.” Really? What a foolish and irresponsible public statement by an officio of the illegitimate government was Ironsi if we must get to the nitty-gritty not better placed to receive the pittance they call “benefits” than Abacha? Ok, let me not use Ironsi’s military superiority as a yardstick how many times in the past have this junta’s state run censored TV mentioned the name of the first Nigerian soccer legend talk less his image? Guys, I am talking about Dan Anyiam, from Nkwerre in Eastern Region, who was a star player in the annals of Nigerian soccer.

 

His performances without the luxury of boots against the English teams helped polish the image of this dying nation yet no acknowledgements is forthcoming ever. Moving right along, the last time I heard about the Yoruba soccer power house of the past Thunder Balogun, was in junior high which should be long, long time ago yet he too did not meet your requirements to be honored I guess. People, there are things inherently wrong with a system that honors crooks, the vile and killers while relegating to the background of history those eminently qualified to be so recognized. This shit, oops I mean Arithmetic does not add up it is not translating as long as folks like the very venerable Tai Solarin and Philip Imoudu and great many like them from all areas of that monkey republic are not immortalized with some monuments and the like. I hereby propose that Lagos International Airport be renamed in honor of these men. And the mosque they call House of Assembly Complex named after men like Philip Imoudu. Aren’t Obasanjo really wickedly ungrateful to have ignored those that truly made his new found Nigeria great but let a little loudmouth loose to insult the same folks who helped him in the not distant past? This newfound wide mouth (literally) praise singing Fani Kayode whom Obasanjo hired as attack bulldog is on everyone’s lips where he was during Obasanjo’s close call with death? We would like to read statements credited to him to really ascertain his sincerity, how many articles/comments against his master’s incarceration was authored by him yet Col. Umar, Wole Soyinka and others who stuck their necks for Obasanjo’s selfish and wicked self are his sworn enemies as you read this. What an ungracious moron. Sorry I thought his Yoruba folks would realize that one’s geography makes no difference as long as his performance and record is concerned deserves condemnation from well-intentioned people. Obasanjo’s abysmal performance is way too far below expectations therefore merits condemnation by all who value good democratic governance where individual freedom of expression, association, movement and pursuit to happiness are respected and guaranteed. But no they think it’s a case of we against them doesn’t this in and of itself sound and look ridiculously childish a very primitive and irresponsible way of giving a critical analysis of someone who does not merit to be Chief Warder in a real society talk more a president. This you can at least appreciate Mr. Obusonjo and indeed you are “njo njo” as in ugly dude!

 

What is the reason for the glamour to plaster Abiola’s image all over the nation for, didn’t our late ebullient vocal and honest musician/activist affectionately known as Fela tell us about the corrupt corporation (ITT) Abiola founded? This corrupt company was heavily patronized by all the equally corrupt military dictators until they couldn’t take anymore of Abiola’s bullshit. “ITT! International Thief, Thief; International thief; International thief, thief; we go fight dem well, well; welu, welu, welu welu welu wey.” – Fela sang and bellowed as he informed the populace how they were being ripped off by ITT and Abiola.  

If one’s death should propel him to national prominence regardless of his evil crafts we wonder why deceased men who brought positive recognitions to Nigeria are not being catapulted to this height? Continuing on reminding this Obasanjo dude of what became of Saddam Hussein’s edifices in Iraq and his “ Saddam International Airport ” the crap was renamed to “ Baghdad International Airport ” in a blink. I bet I am not the only one who sees how history can repeat in the not so distant outlook in your Nigeria . Shame on Nigerians for allowing the only real International airport (International?) they have to bear the name of a war criminal. Confession, I used to have a soft spot for this mass murderer until the role he played during the attempted annihilation of my people became known then my admiration turned to anger. At the time of national search for Col. Buka Suka Dimka I sincerely and genuinely rooted for the young and rascal Colonel I wished they never caught him due to his audacious impressive daylight operation. A daring attempt only a gallant soldier like him would have the balls to contrive and execute. After staying underground for a few weeks he was like forget this bull jive he turned himself in unlike the turkey they have now I stand to be corrected. Something Obasanjo wouldn’t have had the guts to do I mean turn himself in, “o’serious” as his people would say. Let me stretch it by giving Obasanjo a little credit by stating that he would have denied his identity had he been part of the Dimka or Okar group, he would deny them faster than the biblical Peter did Jesus the Christ. He would in this manner “Ah, oba bi o, em oga Murtala/Babangida ah I begi o! Me no know any bodi call am for eh, eh” Lying, deceitful corny ass is how I see him. Nigeria became a haven for corruption the moment the cowardly friendly handover was introduced by a bunch of wimps who hoped that by so doing the next guy that snatches the reigns of power would spare their miserable lives. Somewhere in that republic of rotten banana exists I am sure a dusty alley way in Abuja or elsewhere with “Yakubu Gowon” as the signage. And if this is so I’ll like to know what serious countries honor war criminals as rampantly done in their Nigeria ? Didn’t Gowon with the help of Theophilus Danjuma planned and murdered General Ironsi a man whose trusting naivety caused him to surround himself with northern thugs. Danjuma should avail himself with his genealogy to really understand his true family tree and his Igbo roots before further damage to his kin in Diaspora is done.

 

A very high number (99.999%) of all the so-called national awards go to people whose characters are not worth discussing talk of emulating. All awards disbursed to coupists, embezzlers, forgers, mass murderers, contract deserters, sycophants and other worthless idiots in essence convey a very negative and dangerous message to the younger generations and posterity at large. This much these half baked half cooked leaders ought to have known with their tacky and desperate self-recognitions bestowed on one another in the order of who stole or killed the most? I guess so. A troubling number of these useless awardees are military boys who at best deserve forfeiture of the stolen wealth they acquired and at worst a combination of long hard prison sentences and confiscation of the ill-gotten wealth and properties. Didn’t a good number of them commit one criminal act or another by defiling her with their countless coups, embezzlements, murders, you name it yet shamelessly accept ‘recognitions’ from her.  Who says crime does not pay? Their mischievous criminal activities on society are constantly rewarded with one title or the other yet we wonder why the moral decadence in that society screeched out of control. Given that it makes no absolute sense whatsoever where are the self-professed defenders of evil deeds who see no shred of wrong in these blatant acts. A tradition that suffered a setback or slow down until Abdulsalami Abubakar who did not see the embarrassment in his self-nomination for recognition resuscitated it. This nonsense cherished by only crooks and murderers was also given to the same Ishak Bamayi that has made Kirikiri prison his abode for the last five years. One thing that can be said about Sani Abacha is that at least he had great wisdom in allowing the stupid awards to rest in dustbin of history during his tyranny. This writer does not and will not extend courtesy to anyone based on his stolen wealth or phony appellation since my unalloyed respect and admiration goes to affable people who are scrupulous in their everyday dealings, folks whose integrity is unquestionable, period. Why are Nigerian monuments and recognitions reserved mostly for Fela Anikulapo’s defined VIPs? That is Vagabonds In Power, for the JJCs, did it again I mean Johnny Just Comes. The list below does not by any means reflect all who received these National Shame Awards.

 

1998 National Awards Recipients:

 

General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar, General Yakubu Gowon, OFR, General Muhammadu Buhari, V/ADM O. M. Akhigbe, General I.B. Babangida, Ernest. O. Shonekan (too?)

 

Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)

V/ADM O. M. Akhigbe, A.M. Daggash, Lt. General IR Bamaiyi, V/ADM J.O Ayinla

Alhaji I. A. Coomassie, ADM A. Aikhomu, V/ADM P. S. Koshoni, V/ADM Mah Nyako, Air Marshal A.C. Dada, Major General B. J. Oteri, Major General S. I. Momah, Major General O. Popoola, Major General I. D. Gumel, Major General R. Kale, R/ADM P. A. Jerome, AVM G. Y. Kontagora, Major General M.M. Bamaiyi, Major General L. A. Onoja and so on, folks.

 

This writer’s civic call made it absolutely necessary to identify the folly of this inane practice in order to abridge their high-five - premature celebratory euphoria on what they mistakenly considered the pinnacle of achievement. Not so fast I say to these man-must-wacks based on the numerous illustrious sons that brought worldwide positive identity and recognition to Obasanjo’s Nigeria . Dick “Tiger” Ihetu, the late boxing mogul from the neighborhood of Amaigbo in Eastern Region would be a great start. Obasanjo remember him the guy that fought the renowned American fighter Gene Fullmer? Believe it oga Obasanjo there’s no monument, awards or title posthumously given to him. None whatsoever! Pardon me I didn’t mean to rub it this deep, my mistake, I almost forgot to include Hogan Bassey, also from Eastern Region, the Calabar born boxing great who brought fame and grace to the same Nigeria of yours. Does your stupid honors, which should belong in the garbage bin only for crooks, killers, embezzlers and shameless sycophants that would abandon you at the speed of wind when you fall out of glory, are you really that slow like in dumb, or plain ignorant? Wouldn’t it have been presidential if men like; Dan Anyiam, Thunder Balogun, Richard “Dick Tiger” Ihetu, Hogan (kid) Bassey were recognized instead of treacherous criminals, corrupt government contractors, killers, foreign criminals, war criminals and all who represent the worst in humanity? I will without equivocating give zillion awards to the likes of the late powerhouses Chief Nwozuzu Nwachukwu (Killwe) from “Ogwa here,” (lol) and Michael Okpala (Power Mike) before extending a handshake to the recipients of your awards, what for? In a heartbeat I will also erect monuments in honor of Victor Olaiya, Ekiti born; Rex “Cardinal” Lawson, Kalabari born; and Victor Uwaifo Bini born all highlife master blasters of the past before I will acknowledge the greetings from one of these guerillas that bear your awards. These impeccable and ebullient men of honor brought happiness to the people with their music their portrayal of that palm wine republic to the world was a good omen therefore more deserving of the damn recognition and monument than any militia boy. In fact Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Fela’s mom) as the first female to have driven a car in the same kaikai nation deserve a monument more than these bandits. The atrocious war against the Igbo notwithstanding what Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam did by renouncing his British induced knighthood was such an immaculate feat none will ever match yet no national monument in his honor. Still “One Nigeria” baa? Folks, our kids are being denied these historical facts by not erecting befitting monuments in honor of those who rightly merit them, thanks to idiots in power whose affronts reek with revolting aura of the highest kind. What exactly did that military stooge identified as Ernest Shonekan do for the freaking country to deserve such honor? This sorry ass militia apologist had the golden opportunity to fire all men in uniform (Abacha too) who were hostile towards the peoples’ mandate and effectively replaced them with those sympathetic to the June 12th stuff but doing the honorable thing was the least of his concerns still you have him as one of the recipients of this bull. Madness?

 

Continuing on monuments and recognitions, holy Jesus what is Murtala Mohammed’s name still doing at that International airport based on his history doesn’t he qualify as a war criminal, a coupist and a murderer? Does his death in the hands of his brothers in crime the sole indicator of the retention of his name as the country’s image ambassador? Wouldn’t visitors to that country want to know who this fella was do you tell them; “oh, em, you mean Murtala?” “He, he was… never mind?” Even your erstwhile crooked minister for Labor and Productivity Husseini Zanwa Akwanga was recognized with a premature award lo and behold his thievery became public within the same period. What a funny joke. How many closet/wardrobe Akwangas exist in your cabinet and ‘honor’ list today, madam Olusegun? Belatedly attempt is being made to void or withdraw Akwanga’s award my advice therefore to him is to wage a vigorous legal battle if they attempt this unbalanced withdrawal without extending the same favor to Obasanjo and his gang of thieves. Listen Akwanga if they attempt this embarrassment with their ill conceived call to de-recognize you call upon me I’ll even represent you pro bono despite the fact that I am not a lawyer after all we’re talking about Nigeria where anything goes. With bunch of Kangaroo Judges and lawyers in that “yeye” land I bet I did do a better job than most of them this would be my little contribution to that society. Thank you, thank you; don’t mention, please sit down what are ‘friends’ for. And you believe? The real outrage that led to the unnecessary recognition of people who were/are supposed to be imprisoned for crimes against humanity and/ or embezzlements of public monies was when Christian North, Christian West and Christian Midwest joined the jihadist North to fight their fellow Christian in Eastern Region some thirty-eight years ago. Sadly the same episode is rearing its ugly head in the Plateau area and not much is being done by the ever sleepy assembly members instead they belatedly and unconstitutionally supported the unnecessary illegal “emergency” declaration maybe out of fear or bribed yet again, who knows.

 

You have what’s that tired old man’s name, um, Anthony Enahoro running around his Bini neighborhood with shouts of Sovereign National Conference just to appear stately yet the Igbo proposed and accepted one in Aburi , Ghana was scuttled by him and his Nigerian evil partners. Someone should please tell this Enahoro to save his cola-nut filled breathe and whine for another day and allow the Igbo and other well-meaning citizens carryon with this call since he lacks the moral grounds to participate. The manipulative noisemakers would like their offspring to believe the Igbo are not important or needed in their twisted Nigeria but we know better and about time they let the Igbo be. If the Igbo are unimportant then tell us why you guys can’t say two words, “see ya?” In our individual homes don’t we feel glad to see an annoying and unimportant company leave especially when that person on his own volition offers to? So if we the Igbo are not an important integral part of a nation you guys turned into a colossal waste why not let my people go, remember Pharaoh? Isn’t it also written “it shall come to pass?” Obasanjo does the bible your shouters read to you mean a thing or are you so invisible? Didn’t your erstwhile benefactor Abacha felt imperceptible too? Look here fella, the Igbo as history would confirm are the ones capable of recovering the sunken elephant you call Nigeria from the ocean depths as we’re not known to condone evil based on “esprit de corps” a slogan meant for authentic military solidarity that was abused by the Hausa and other corrupting entities.

 

Putative excerpt from World Court proceedings in Hague:

 

Obasanjo and company if you didn’t believe the importance of the Igbo nation in Africa speaking generally and Nigeria particularly, how come you guys went out of step to keep them there, example of “out of step,” didn’t you and Gowon cede Bakassi peninsula in the Eastern Region to the Cameroon to win your genocidal war? Let me also remind the courts that the rightly accused and his cabal confiscated the properties of the Igbo and murdered their innocent pregnant women, the elderly, children and the sick that were receiving treatments in the hospitals in northern Nigeria .

 

Obasanjo:

Eh, olori maje oooo, abi na, em, em wetin I go call am? Are we still in a democracy or what? Why is that governor running around and speaking all over the country and blah blah blah.

 

Judge: (cuts in)

Sir, answer the question and stop wasting the court’s time you are in the World Court

not Aso Rock and the year is 2008 not 2004. Counsel you may proceed.

 

Thank you your Honor however, with Obasanjo’s sudden stuttering, I rest. The defense for this bruised “efulefu”…

 

Judge: (cuts in)

Watch your language counsel don’t you have a better word?

 

Sorry your Honor I meant the “criminal” might ask for continuance if he wishes but his guilt is obvious as such I have no further cross-examination for this whacked, disoriented and drooling defendant.

 

Judge:

The courts will continue to hold Obusonjo in its basement until a maximum-security prison that would accommodate him and his family in sin is completed somewhere in

the Rwandan rainforest.

 

At this point I requested to approach the bench based on the threat to Obasanjo’s life.

 

I believe it is in the defendant’s best interest your Honor to hold him as you said since the Igbo nation do not want anything to do with this death moreover, we now have a functioning country we proudly call ours, which was made so by the U.S. led resolution in the U.N. If it pleases the court to also know your Honor, the Hausa uncles of the defendant are calling for nothing but his head for leading them asunder tenfold. All diplomatic pleas by the Igbo to spare Obasanjo’s life so far have fallen on deaf ears. The new  “Communist Republic of Arewa” according to them claimed that as a member of Islamic countries who are strictly guided by Sharia, death is the only thing it sanctioned with no option of Abuja Hilton type imprisonment.

 

Thank you counsel for that privileged information it has been noted.

 

You’re welcome your Honor; all we wanted all along is a place to call home and now that it has been actualized we’re not interested in any frivolity we wish to move on with our lives. I have to catch a connecting flight in America to BIAFRA your Honor, may I?

 

You certainly may counsel of course, have a nice trip.

 

Thank you, your Honor!

 

All riseeeeeeeeeee!