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IGBOS WERE. FOOLED ONCE, TWICE, AND THEY STILLL FOOL THEMSELVES
Dr. Sunny Oby Maduka (DSM) Ph.D
“When you are bitten by a snake, the tendency for you to avoid even the head of an Agama Lizard will be highly recognised as a wisdomic experience.” — DSM.
I anticipated a wave of disapproval regarding this caption, but I firmly believe it’s crucial for the Igbo people to critically examine their historical trajectory and current societal dynamics. It’s time for a period of reflection and strategic reassessment.
Before the devastating Nigerian-Biafran Civil War, the Igbo people held prominent positions across various Nigerian institutions, significantly influencing the nation’s security apparatus, economic landscape, and social fabric. Their presence was ubiquitous, with Igbo communities thriving in nearly every corner of the country. This widespread integration fostered economic prosperity, with numerous Igbo individuals achieving significant financial success in diverse industries and corporate sectors. The Igbo community was widely admired, even envied, by other ethnic groups for their entrepreneurial spirit, adaptability, and economic achievements. There was a popular saying at the time that suggested if an area lacked Igbo presence, it was likely underdeveloped and not worth inhabiting. This speaks volumes about the perceived industriousness and economic impact of the Igbo people throughout Nigeria.
The Igbo people carried themselves with a sense of pride and accomplishment, not just within their ancestral homeland, but across the nation.
This widespread success, however, came at a cost. While Igbos prospered in various parts of Nigeria, building homes, establishing businesses, and contributing to the development of these adopted communities, there was a noticeable neglect of their ancestral land. Resources and energy were channeled outwards, leading to a disparity in development between Igbo settlements elsewhere and their historical homeland. This outward focus contributed to a sense of disconnect from their roots. The establishment of industries in other regions, often driven by short-sighted economic considerations, further exacerbated this imbalance.
While these ventures generated wealth for some, they simultaneously deprived the Igbo ancestral land of crucial investment and development opportunities, leaving it comparatively underdeveloped.
Furthermore, the emphasis on assimilation and integration into the broader Nigerian society had cultural ramifications. Igbo children, while often fluent in English, the official language of Nigeria, sometimes struggled with their native Igbo dialects. This linguistic shift, while facilitating communication and integration within the larger Nigerian context, also represented a potential erosion of cultural heritage and identity.
The sudden eruption of the May 30th 1967 conflict forced all stranged Igbos to flee, much like rabbits startled from their burrows, seeking refuge in the very Ancestral Land they had disregarded for so long. This desperate return raises a critical question: have the Igbo people learned anything from the mistakes of their predecessors? The answer, unfortunately, appears clear and disheartening. The Igbo of today seem to exhibit a similar lack of foresight as their ancestors, repeating the same pattern that displaced and disposed their ancestors of their properties and lives.
Currently, the Igbo people hold significant economic power in various regions, owning prominent businesses and impressive residences. Ironically, this prosperity is concentrated in the same lands where their forefathers’ properties were declared abandoned after the civil war. This echoes a painful history, suggesting a failure to prioritise securing and developing their ancestral homeland. The Igbo have become integral to the economic fabric of places like Lagos, Kano, Sokoto States, including FCT, where their entrepreneurial spirit has driven the establishment and growth of major markets.
Despite facing discriminatory laws and regulations, they continue to invest heavily in these foreign lands, seemingly neglecting the potential of what happened in their historical evidences before, during and after the civil war.
This persistent pattern raises concerns about a disconnect between economic success and cultural preservation. While the Igbo demonstrate remarkable resilience and business acumen, their continued investment in external regions, even in the face of adversity and hostility suggests a lack of prioritisation for their ancestral land. One might expect such adversity to galvanise a people towards reclaiming their heritage and investing in their ancestral land, but the Igbo, despite their entrepreneurial drive, appear to remain focused on external economic pursuits.
This raises questions about the long-term implications of this strategy, particularly in terms of cultural preservation and the potential for future disagreement and displacement. The historical precedent of property abandonment should have served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with neglecting one’s own territory, even while achieving economic success elsewhere.
The 2023 general elections should have equally served as an ugly reminder of the precarious position of the Igbo people within the present Nigerian political landscape. Yet, and despite clear signals of hate and envy against them, a significant portion of the Igbo population continues to invest heavily in landed properties and development projects in major metropolitan areas across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and other numerous cities.
What can be said of a people who prioritise the development of other regions while their own homeland remains in a state of relative neglect? This question speaks to the complex dynamics of identity, belonging, and strategic investment in a nation grappling with deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions. Is it wise to pour resources into the development of regions where one’s position remains tenuous, while neglecting the very foundation of one’s heritage and identity? The situation becomes even more perplexing when considering the historical context of the Igbo experience in Nigeria, particularly the events leading up to and including the Biafran War.
“When a man is fooled in the first instance, it can be referred as an honest mistake, but when fooled twice, it becomes a combination of psychiatric stupidity and rehabilitated foolishness.”-DSM.
The ugly trajectory of the present Igbos who have forgotten about what happened to their Ancestors by intentionally building up a bridge of stupidity in their quest for economic growth in other places while refusing to reflect back on their histories is the reason why Igbos are not talking with one voice, culminating into many saboteurs within their bravery Ancestral heritage.
The most troubling aspect of this investment strategy is the underlying assumption that their contributions and economic integration will guarantee acceptance and security within these host communities. The belief that economic investment will translate into political influence and protection against potential hostility is a dangerous gamble. History is replete with examples of minority groups facing persecution and displacement despite their economic contributions to the larger society.
The current socio-political climate in Nigeria, characterised by increasing ethnic and religious polarisation, further amplifies the risks associated with this approach. The nation is increasingly fragmented along these lines, with a growing emphasis on individual ethnic and religious identities over a shared sense of national citizenship. This fragmentation creates an environment of uncertainty and potential volatility, making the Igbo investment strategy appear even more precarious.
The current situation bears an unsettling resemblance to the pre-war era, with rising tensions and a growing sense of mistrust between different ethnic and religious groups.
The storm clouds of conflict are gathering on the horizon, and the potential for a repeat of past tragedies is a real and present danger. Yet, despite these warning signs, many within the Igbo community seem oblivious to the precariousness of their position. They continue to invest heavily in regions where their long-term security is not guaranteed, seemingly blind to the potential consequences of their actions.
To butress my point, let us ask ourselves this pertinent question: ‘How many Hausas, Fulanis and Yorubas have large industrues, businesses, properties, companies, factories, schools and hospitals in Ala Igbo as at present?
Recently, there is an underground plans to rename all streets bearing any semblance of igbo names in Lagos state. Charlie Boy bus stop was a test case to ascertain the efficacy of the new trend. Many Yoruba opinion leaders, excluding H. E. Fashola were hailing Governor Sanwo Olu, and sadly, reciting an erroneous epic story of, ‘Lagos Is A No Man’s Land’ as justification. Unfortunately, these ethnic bigots are not true Lagosians. They are all strangers in Lagos State except being Yorubas. In fact, some may have been strangers from Benin Republic and neighbouring States, and they are the most noisy people in the saga of Lagos State ownership. It’s even an aberration for a citizen to be branded as a stranger in his own country, simply because of his or her state of origin. An advocacy that must be expunged from the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The next move is to pass a bill that will invalidate any property held by an igbo man, and the purpose is to ensure the forfeiture of landed properties at any slightest chance, and irrespective of the status of the land owner.
A stitch in time will save many Igbos a future of ugly consequences, and without being an alarmist, Igbos must be thinking home bound, and don’t fall victims for the second time.
Nigeria has never forgotten, neither have Igbos been forgiven since after the civil war. It’s time to look inwards and be proud by investing in their Ancestral home. The enemies within and enemies outside are against the unity, peace, justice and economic value of the Igbos, and sadly, history is about to be repeated, only this time, the wise sons and daughters of Nd’Igbo must change course by refusing to be fooled twice, and while you ponder, don’t forget that I come in PEACE.
