Fredrick Nwabufo Who offended Buhari – Twitter or Nigerians

 

Government is a relationship – between the leadership and the governed. A democratic government, in particular, should not operate in vacancy of citizens’ imprimatur. A government needs the trust, support and goodwill of its citizens. Legitimacy is the reward for good governance. Any government, which by intransigence severs the funiculus that links it with the citizens, is taking the highroad to oblivion.

Really, most people will not remember the infrastructure and extraordinary projects executed by an administration. But they will remember how secure they felt and the freedom they enjoyed under that government. General Abacha is reputed to have executed some of the sterling infrastructure projects in Nigeria. In fact, some of the roads his regime through PTF built are still sturdy to date. But how is he remembered today? He is remembered as a murderer and a violator of human rights.

Our leaders should learn from the ruins of others before them. Power is situational. What we do with it when we possess it will live with us, and even with our relics and generations to come. At this point, what I believe should be elemental for President Buhari is his legacy. He should not let ‘’power hawks’’ carnivorise what is left of his substance.

The suspension of Twitter by the Nigerian government is a jackboot experiment. It cannot be defended, rationalised or excused in anyway. Internet freedom is as basic as the right to life and the right to freedom of expression.

Naturally, some notable Nigerians and organisations have condemned this insidious attempt at absolutism. The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) led by Kabiru Yusuf said lucidly ‘’the suspension of Twitter’s operation by Nigeria is wrong and an overreaction’’. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, and member of the APC – the president’s party – is of the opinion that the federal government should have managed the situation better.

“The federal government can handle this a lot better — because of the number of ecommerce; the number of youths doing digital stuff on the internet, and we cannot throw that away and say it’s not happening. I believe there could be a lot of restraint and better management from both sides,” the governor said.

Nigeria is said to lose N2.18 billion per day owing to the Twitter shutdown — according to NetBlocks, a data-driven online service. We do not need an Okonjo-Iweala to divine for us the cost of this folly. Many youths and businesses rely on Twitter for oxygen. And the federal government just pulled the plug — in a country with 40 million unemployed people, blistering inflation and insecurity.

Toiling Nigerians lose more in this dogfight between the Nigerian government and Twitter. Twitter loses nothing in the short and in the long run. So, who offended Buhari and who should be writing from the economic perils of his ban? Well, if the government is deploying this as a gambit to asphyxiate dissenting voices on social media it will be a futile performance. Only good governance can silence the noise on social media.

Citizens from all strata have been giving the government a dressing down in the past few days. As expected, the US, the UK, Canada and EU did not equivocate in expressing disappointment at this punitive approach to an issue that could have been resolved through other channels. The condemnations are in order.

What is very annoying is the threat by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, to arrest and prosecute anyone circumventing the ban to gain access to Twitter. This is farcical. Why is this man making a spectacle of Nigeria in the public square? I think we have enough comedians in the country already.

However, there is the pesky issue of hate speech, fake news, misinformation and disinformation on social media — particularly on Twitter and Facebook? How do we address this problem? We cannot look away and pretend that this creeping monster does not portend enormous danger for Nigeria.

Some countries like India, even the US and the UK, have set these tech leviathans to task regarding sanitising their social media space. We cannot suspend our hands and watch Nigeria burn.

As Kadaria Ahmed, top journalist, said while reacting to the ‘’decree’’ of the National Broadcasting Commission to broadcast stations to deactivate their Twitter accounts, ‘’the government (must) go back and engage with experts many of whom abound in the country on how to fight hate speech, misinformation and disinformation while respecting and upholding the rights that are fundamental in a democracy’’.

The Buhari government must redeem itself. Nigeria is still a democracy.

By Fredrick ‘Mr OneNigeria’ Nwabufo

Twitter @FredrickNwabufo
#Keepiton

BIAFRA NEWS : Police dislodge ESN camp in Imo, set buildings ablaze [photo]

 

The Nigerian Police have dislodged the camp of Eastern Security Network, ESN, in Akabo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State. THE RESTORATION OF BIAFRA NATION

The operation was carried out on Tuesday by the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team led by DCP Abba Kyari and other security forces.

A police woman who was allegedly kidnapped and held captive was also freed during the operation.

IPOB reacts to allegations ESN attacked Imo prison

ESN is a security outfit established by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, 

IPOB.

DAILY POST recalls that the security outfit had been accused of attacking security operatives and formations in the Southeast.

However, the IPOB leader had insisted that ESN was established to fight insecurity in the region.

Herdsmen: ESN will invade North soon – IPOB threatens Miyetti Allah

Twitter Announces New Office in Ghana to Expand Global Footprint

 

CEO Jack Dorsey's passion for the African region, and the expanding opportunities in the local market, this comes as little surprise.

Today, Twitter has announced that it's opening a new office in Ghana to help expand its presence in the growing African tech sector.

"Whenever we enter new markets, we work hard to ensure that we are not just investing in the talent that we hire, but also investing in local communities and the social fabric that supports them. We have already laid foundations through partnerships with Amref Health Africa in Kenya, Afrochella in Ghana, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) in Nigeria, and The HackLab Foundation in Ghana. As part of our long-term commitment to the region, we’ll continue to explore compelling ways we can use the positive power of Twitter to strengthen our communities through employee engagement, platform activation, and corporate giving."

 

That, ideally, will help Twitter establish stronger roots in the local market, as it continues to expand and provide new opportunities.

Digital adoption in Africa is at a critical stage. Right now, the continent is the least connected region, globally, with just over a quarter of its 1.3 billion citizens connected to the internet. That will change quickly - in May last year, Facebook committed more than $1 billion to the development of a new sub-sea cable link designed to improve connectivity in the region. 

 

Increased internet access will open up a range of new opportunities, and Twitter's looking to get in on the ground floor of this new shift, which could see it become a more critical connective tool for African users moving forward, especially if it can form partnerships with local users and become more culturally aligned to the needs of the region.

Analyst Day, Twitter noted that it saw 84% growth in mDAUs in Nigeria over the past year.

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has welcomed the announcement:

The choice of Ghana as HQ for Twitter’s Africa operations is EXCELLENT news. Gov’t and Ghanaians welcome very much this announcement and the confidence reposed in our country. 1/3 #TwitterInGhana #TwitterGhana https://t.co/HdCqFgXK0x

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) April 12, 2021

 

As noted, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has a strong affinity for Africa. Back in 2019, Dorsey actually announced plans to move to Africa full time, but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed his eventual shift. Dorsey's announcement had also unsettled Twitter shareholders, who raised concerns about his capacity to act as CEO from another continent - but clearly, Dorsey sees this as an area of great potential, both for Twitter and for his digital payments company Square, as tech adoption in the region expands.

There's no word yet as to whether Dorsey will head-up the new Twitter Ghana branch, but you can bet that he'll be keen to visit as soon as international travel re-opens.

Follow Andrew Hutchinson on Twitter

The continent has always been near and dear to our hearts.

And now, Africa is officially HOME. We’re pulling up to Ghana.

Have the Jollof ready, abeg. #TwitterInGhana

— Twitter Blackbirds (@Blackbirds) April 12, 2021

As explained by Twitter:

"We’re excited to announce that we are now actively building a team in Ghana. To truly serve the public conversation, we must be more immersed in the rich and vibrant communities that drive the conversations taking place every day across the African continent."

Twitter is looking to hire local designers, engineers, marketers and more as part of this new expansion.

BIAFRA NEWS : Security agents plotting to attack Southeast starting with Anambra – IPOB

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Tuesday, alleged a plot by security agents to attack the Southeast.

IPOB alleged that security agents have concluded plans to launch attacks across the Southeast, starting with Anambra State. WHAT IS KEYWORD RESEARCH? HOW TO SEARCH FOR KEYWORDS?

A statement by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful urged people of the region to be vigilant and careful as they carry out their activities.

Emma Powerful said “We wish to place Ndigbo on alert of a pending genocidal attack by terrorists of the Nigeria security on different states in the South East.

“We gathered through intelligence that these vampires have concluded arrangement to launch attacks on Igbo communities beginning with Anambra State in the days ahead.

Insecurity: Buhari issues new directive to security agents
“We, therefore advise especially Igbo youths who are the target of these evil agenda to be circumspect. They should be careful of their movements and be vigilant.”

The Southeast has witnessed some measure of insecurity lately with attacks on government facilities.

Government establishments like police stations and offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have been razed.

Even the resident of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma in Owerri was not spared the mayhem by unknown gunmen.

The gunmen had burnt down the place after killing some security operatives stationed there.

Nnamdi Kanu reacts to claims by police that IPOB is planning to attack Lagos

BIAFRA NEWS : Fleeing Igangan killer herdsmen relocate to Ogun, kill three in Imeko

 

Three persons have been reportedly killed in Ogun State by herdsmen said to be among those behind killings in Igangan, Oyo State, on Sunday. “You know there was a crisis in Igangan yesterday, those herdsmen who escaped to Imeko through our forest reserves killed three men on Sunday night. “The victims were riding on a motorcycle, coming from Ologede around 11 o’clock last (Sunday) night. They ran into these fleeing herdsmen, who killed them. They even took the victim’s new motorcycle away, leaving their old one behind,” he said. “We saw empty AK-47 cartridges at the scene of the incident. A formal report has been made at the police station in Imeko and the police have gone there to take the bodies. Makinde reacts as gunmen invade Igangan, kill scores “This is getting too much. We can no longer sleep in our houses. The herdsmen are everywhere. Government should come to our rescue. The Amotekun operatives in Imeko are too few. We need help.” The Balogun raised the alarm that the Igangan killers had relocated to a village called Sagada in Imeko/Afon. “Those herdsmen who escaped after killing people in Igangan are now in Ogun State. They camp in a village called Sagada, under Oke Agbede in Ward 2. “There is a river, (Oyan) in-between Sagada and Igangan. They are there as we speak. We have informed the appropriate authorities, but no positive steps have been taken so far,” the community leader said. Contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said, “I will find out.” DAILY POST earlier reported that scores of Igangan residents were gruesomely murdered by suspected herdsmen on Sunday. Ogun: Passengers reportedly kidnapped along Imeko road [VIDEO]

The victims were identified by an impeccable source as: Femi Bara, John Taiwo and Tunde Taiwo.

They were said to have been murdered at Amule Kanji village, via Imeko, Imeko/Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State.

 learnt that the three men were on a bike, coming from Ologede village when they ran into the killer herdsmen, “who killed them and took away their motorbike.”

The Balogun of Imeko Isale, Chief Ganiu Akinleye, confirmed that the incident happened around 11 pm on Sunday.

Chief Akinloye told  that the police had gone to the village to evacuate the corpses.

“You know there was a crisis in Igangan yesterday, those herdsmen who escaped to Imeko through our forest reserves killed three men on Sunday night.

“The victims were riding on a motorcycle, coming from Ologede around 11 o’clock last (Sunday) night. They ran into these fleeing herdsmen, who killed them. They even took the victim’s new motorcycle away, leaving their old one behind,” he said.

“We saw empty AK-47 cartridges at the scene of the incident. A formal report has been made at the police station in Imeko and the police have gone there to take the bodies.

Makinde reacts as gunmen invade Igangan, kill scores

“This is getting too much. We can no longer sleep in our houses. The herdsmen are everywhere. Government should come to our rescue. The Amotekun operatives in Imeko are too few. We need help.”

The Balogun raised the alarm that the Igangan killers had relocated to a village called Sagada in Imeko/Afon.

“Those herdsmen who escaped after killing people in Igangan are now in Ogun State. They camp in a village called Sagada, under Oke Agbede in Ward 2.

“There is a river, (Oyan) in-between Sagada and Igangan. They are there as we speak. We have informed the appropriate authorities, but no positive steps have been taken so far,” the community leader said.

Contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said, “I will find out.”

 earlier reported that scores of Igangan residents were gruesomely murdered by suspected herdsmen on Sunday.

Ogun: Passengers reportedly kidnapped along Imeko road [VIDEO]

 

BIAFRA NEWS : APC behind Twitter ban, planning to regulate social media – PDP alleges

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the National Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday by Kola Ologbondiyan, the National Publicity Secretary of the party. BIAFRA NEWS : Twitter ban, Group expresses reservation against government’s decision

“The PDP says revelations available to it showed how APC leaders at one of their party’s national caucus meeting recommended the regulation of social media in Nigeria and how they have been plotting to obliterate internet-based interaction platforms such as Twitter.

“The PDP recalls how the APC Caucus has been pushing bills in the National Assembly, particularly in November 2020, seeking to enforce a draconian regulation of social media, so as to gag Nigerians from exposing its atrocities, including human right abuses, treasury looting, nepotism and sectional marginalization by the APC administration.” The statement said

“Nigerians can also recall how the APC administration in carrying out the agenda using the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to suffocate the media space with humongous fines and threats of suspension of operating license on broadcast stations.

“The PDP wants the APC to know that their plot against Nigerians have been exposed and cannot stand. https://saviournicodemus.blogspot.com/2021/06/biafra-news-twitter-ban-group-expresses.html

“Our nation is known for her resilient citizenry and no leader or political party has been able to suppress the wishes of Nigerians.

“The APC, in spite of its machinations, cannot vanquish Nigerians in their determination for a free and democratic nation where sovereignty belongs to the people.” The statement further added

BIAFRA NEWS : Serena Williams dumps out of 2021 French Open

 

Serena Williams has been sent packing from this year’s French Open by Elena Rybakina.

Rybakina won the three-time champion in straight sets 6-3 7-5 on Sunday.

This means Williams’ quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title continues.

The American superstar was one of just three top-10 players left in the women’s draw but has now been denied a first quarter-final since 2015. BIAFRA NEWS : Twitter ban in Nigeria, Whoever advised Buhari is his biggest enemy – Fani-Kayode

The 21-year-old Rybakina’s victory guarantees a new Grand Slam finalist from the bottom half of the draw.

Rybakina will now play Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who advanced to the French Open quarter-finals for the first time in a decade after coming from behind to defeat 15th seed Victoria Azarenka.

BIAFRA NEWS : TB Joshua’s death, huge loss to prophetic ministry – Primate Ayodele

 

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has reacted to the death of Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly known as TB Joshua. BIAFRA NEWS : Twitter ban, “We won’t vote for any politician above 65 in 2023” – Banky W fumes

Primate Ayodele described the death of Prophet TB Joshua, who is the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, as a great loss to the prophetic ministry and the body of Christ.

In a statement he personally signed and forwarded to , on Sunday, the clergyman vowed to fast and pray to avert another occurrence in Christendom in Nigeria.

According to Primate Ayodele: “I condole with the SCOAN Family on the demise of the general overseer, Prophet TB Joshua who died yesterday.

Details of how Prophet TB Joshua died emerge

“His death is a huge loss to the body of Christ and the prophetic ministry.

“Prophet TB Joshua was a God’s general, a true philanthropist and a servant of God, I’m shocked at the news of his demise.

“I pray that the Lord God be with the family he left behind, and give them the fortitude to bear this great loss.

“Personally, I will mourn the great Prophet TB Joshua for seven days, and continue praying for Christendom against such occurrences in our midst.

“May His perfect soul rest in the bosom of the Lord where Peace can be found.”

SCOAN Church confirms TB Joshua’s death, last words

 

BIAFRA NEWS : Twitter ban in Nigeria, Whoever advised Buhari is his biggest enemy – Fani-Kayode

 

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kaydoe, has said whoever advised President Muhammadu Buhari to ban Twitter in Nigeria, is “his biggest enemy”. THE RESTORATION OF BIAFRA NATION

In a tweet, hours after the news broke out, Fani-Kayode said the decision “is the most absurd and counterproductive thing” the federal government could make.

He wrote: “Suspending @Twitter from Nigeria simply because they removed a dangerous, irresponsible & insensitive tweet by @MBuhari is the most absurd and counterproductive move that the FG could have made.

Imo, Uzodinma under attack by enemies – APC

“Whoever advised Mr. President to make this indefensible move is his biggest enemy.”

On Friday, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, announced the ban on the micro-blogging website.

Mohammed cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence as reason for the suspension.

BIAFRA NEWS : Controversy as Navy chopper is found in South-West forest [VIDEO]

 

Questions are being raised after a Nigerian Navy chopper (NNJI3) was found in a forest in the South-West region.

 could not ascertain the exact state but an informant disclosed that locals saw and recorded the helicopter on Thursday June 3. THE RESTORATION OF BIAFRA NATION

The accuracy of the date is yet to be verified. The footage is generating comments and conspiracies on social media.

There are speculations as to whether the aircraft was on an official mission amid the security challenges in the country.

Apart from full military operations, the Navy collaborates with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The Navy provides regular patrol and escort support for NIMASA in line with the mandate of their partnership.

A source close to military chiefs said the chopper might have been on a trip legally assigned.

“If the number starts with NN, it belongs to the Navy. My guess is there are pipelines in the area. The Navy conducts aerial surveillance too.

“If intelligence had indicated a situation that needed to be monitored, pilots would be dispatched immediately to carry out an assessment”, he explained.

Director of Naval Information, Commodore Suleman Dahun told that the chopper was not on an illegal mission.

“It is not true that the helicopter was carrying arms to anybody. They were on a routine training exercise. A formal statement will follow”, the spokesman said.

 

BIAFRA NEWS : IPOB, Kawu Sumaila tells southern elites to speak up

 

Elders in the Southeast have been urged to publicly denounce the ongoing attacks by the suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the region or be counted among people responsible for the dastardly acts.  THE RESTORATION OF BIAFRA NATION

Former Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Assembly Matters, Alhaji Abdurrahman Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila, gave the warning in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday.

According to him, “Until the southern elites make their positions known, Nigerians would consider them part of the attacks being carried out in the region by some armed militia.”

Attacks on President Buhari in London, barbaric – Kawu Sumaila

Sumaila added that southern elites should be mindful of their reputations by not only condemning the attacks, but also distance themselves from it, affirming that “it is only when they do this with sincerity that Nigerians will believe their innocence.”

“The elites in the southeast should borrow a leaf from their northern counterparts such as Arewa Consultative Forum and Northern Elders Forum, who have been persistently condemning the activities of Boko Haram fighters and bandits in the north.

“You must clear your names or else, Nigerians will consider you culprits of all the killings and destructions in some southern states.

“We have no country other than Nigeria, therefore, we must do everything possible to make it peaceful.”

BIAFRA NEWS : Falz slams Buhari over threat to deal with Nigerians ‘destroying’ his govt, THE RESTORATION OF BIAFRA NATION

 

Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, AKA Falz has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari over his threat to deal with Nigerians that want to destroy his government.

Recall that President Buhari, had on Tuesday after a security briefing threatened to deal with those who, according to him, want to destroy his government.

Buhari had said such individuals or groups will receive the shock of their lives, adding that they will be treated in a language they will understand.

Reacting, Falz who expressed concern over the President’s recent threat, wondered if Buhari has treated Boko Haram terrorists in a language they understand.

He wrote on Twitter, ”What is this? Have you treated Boko Haram with the “language they understand?” What about the kidnappers & bandits?

”Today you go to London, tomorrow Paris. You are now coming here to tweet rubbish.”

1967 Biafra’s Declaration of Independence

 

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

Declaration of Biafra

Fellow countrymen and women, you, the people of Eastern Nigeria:

Conscious of the supreme authority of Almighty God over all mankind, of your duty to yourselves and posterity;

Aware that you can no longer be protected in your lives and in your property by any Government based outside Eastern Nigeria;

Believing that you are born free and have certain inalienable rights which can best be preserved by yourselves;

Unwilling to be unfree partners in any association of a political or economical nature;

Rejecting the authority of any person or persons other than the Military Government of Eastern Nigeria to make any imposition of whatever kind or nature upon you;

Determined to dissolve all political and other ties between you and the former Federal Republic of Nigeria;

Prepared to enter into such association, treaty or alliance with any sovereign state within the former Federal Republic of Nigeria and elsewhere on such terms and conditions as best to subserve your common good;

Affirming your trust and confidence in me;

Having mandated me to proclaim on your behalf, and in your name, that Eastern Nigeria be a sovereign independent Republic,

Now, therefore, I, Lieutenant-Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, by virtue of the authority, and pursuant to the principles, recited above, do hereby solemnly proclaim that the territory and region known as and called Eastern Nigeria together with her continental shelf and territorial waters shall henceforth be an independent sovereign state of the name and title of “The Republic of Biafra”. And I do declare that-

i. all political ties between us and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are hereby totally dissolved;

ii. all subsisting contractual obligations entered into by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or by any person, authority or organization or government acting on its behalf, with any person, authority or organization operating, or relating to any matter or thing, within the Republic of Biafra, shall henceforth be deemed to be entered into with the Military Governor of the Republic of Biafra for and on behalf of the Government and people of the republic of
Biafra, and the covenants thereof shall, subject to this Declaration, be performed by the parties according to their tenor;

iii. all subsisting international treaties and obligations made on behalf of eastern Nigeria by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, shall be honored and respected;

iv. Eastern Nigeria’s due share of all subsisting international debits and obligations entered into by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on behalf of the Federation of Nigeria shall be honored and respected;

v. steps will be taken to open discussions of the question of Eastern Nigeria’s due share of the assets of the Federation of Nigeria and personal properties of the citizens of Biafra throughout the Federation of Nigeria;

vi. the rights, privileges, pensions, etc. of all personnel of the Public Services, the Armed Forces and the Police now serving in any capacity within the Republic of Biafra, are hereby guaranteed;

vii. we shall keep the door open for association with, and would welcome, any sovereign unit or units in the former Federation of Nigeria or in any other parts of Africa desirous of association with us for the purposes of running a common services organization and for the establishment of economic ties;

viii. we shall protect the lives and property of all foreigners residing in Biafra; we shall extend the hand of friendship to those nations who respect our sovereignty, and shall repel any interference in our internal affairs;

ix. we shall faithfully adhere to the charter of the Organization of African Unity and of the United Nations Organization;

x. It is our intention to remain a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations in our right as a sovereign, independent nation.

Long live the Republic of Biafra! And may God protect all who live in her!

Sources:

“Ojukwu’s Declaration of Biafra Speech” in Citizens for Nigeria, http://www.citizensfornigeria.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=63 (accessed June 3, 2009).

Subjects: Primary Documents, Global African HistoryTerms: 20th Century (1900-1999), Africa - Nigeria, Africa-Biafra, Military Conflict - Nigerian Civil War

BIAFRA NEWS : The Nigerian Civil War and ‘Humanitarian Intervention’

 

The 1967–70 Nigerian Civil War (also known as the ‘Biafran War’) was notorious for the prolonged 

suffering of the civilian population in the secessionist enclave of ‘Biafra’ and the failure of repeated international attempts to bring about an early end to the conflict. At the time the term ‘humanitarian intervention’ was used to denote the international emergency relief operation, rather than a military 

intervention — which is how the term has subsequently come to be used. Ironically this humanitarian relief operation may have contributed to the prolongation of the war and thereby added to the human suffering. In this chapter, based partly on my experience working on the ground in this conflict, I argue 

that other forms of intervention, which could just as reasonably be described as ‘humanitarian’, were neglected by the principal international actors engaged with the conflict. I compare this state of affairs with subsequent approaches to intervention in Africa and elsewhere and conclude by suggesting that the lessons from ‘Biafra’ could be used to inform a more enlightened approach to ‘humanitarian intervention’ in present-day crises.

Keywords

The Nigerian Civil War and‘Humanitarian Intervention’

 Michael AaronsonIntroductionThe 1967–70 Nigerian Civil War (also known as the ‘Biafran War’) wasnotorious for the prolonged suffering of the civilian population in thesecessionist enclave of ‘Biafra’ and the failure of repeated internationalattempts to bring about an early end to the conflict. At the time the 

term‘humanitarian intervention’ was used to denote the international emer-gency relief operation, rather than a military intervention – which ishow the term has subsequently come to be used. Ironically this human-itarian

 relief operation may have contributed to the prolongation ofthe war and thereby added to the human suffering.

 In this chapter,based partly on my experience working on the ground in this conflict,I argue that other forms of intervention, which could just as reasonablybe described as ‘humanitarian’, were neglected by the principal inter-national actors engaged with the conflict. I compare this state of affairswith subsequent approaches to

 intervention in Africa and elsewhere andconclude by suggesting that the lessons from ‘Biafra’ could be used toinform a more enlightened approach to ‘humanitarian intervention’ inpresent-day crises.BackgroundAt the time of Biafran secession the Federal Republic of Nigeria consistedof four regions: northern, western, mid-

western and eastern. Since pre-independence days Nigerian politics had been dominated by ethnicrivalries across and within these regional groups. The war began on30 May 1967 when, following a long period of political crisis acrossthe country, including military coup and counter coup and reprisa

 killings of mainly Igbo civilians originating from the Eastern Region, ColOjukwu, the region’s governor, declared secession and the establishmentof the ‘Republic of Biafra’. The Federal Government of Nigeria 

 

(FGN)which had already imposed an economic blockade of ‘Biafra’, respondedby launching an armed attack against ‘the rebels’. Despite a number ofinternationally supported initiatives to bring an end to the conflict,

 itdragged on for 30 months. Although the Nigerian armed forces enjoyedoverwhelming military superiority the Biafrans succeeded in prolong-ing the fighting – as much by political as military means. The resultwas a long, slow, inefficient war of attrition, which the internationalcommunity appeared powerless to end. The most 

salient feature of thewar was a massive and controversial international relief operation tosupport the civilia

n victims of the conflict – on both sides, but mainlyinside Biafra. Despite this, by the time of Biafra’s surrender 

on 12 January1970, an estimated 600,000 people – the vast majority of them civilians –had died.1From August 1969 until October 1971 I worked in Eastern Nigeria asa member of Save the Children UK’s2international 

relief and rehabili-tation programme. I was, therefore, a participant in the ‘humanitarianintervention’ that took place. At the time we were in no doubt what theterm ‘humanitarian’ meant: it signified that we were motivated solelyby a concern to bring relief to the civilian victims of the conflict, asidefrom any political or other 

objectives. As this perception was shared byboth parties to the conflict it meant we were able to act relatively freelyand independently, within the constraints of working in a war zone.We organized food distributions to rural communities that had spentup to two months hiding in the ‘bush’ because they feared genocideby the

 advancing Nigerian Army and who were, when they were even-tually persuaded to emerge, in very poor condition indeed. We ranintensive feeding programmes for the most severely malnourished chil-dren and 

organized emergency sick bays to treat the most seriouslyill.3We could reasonably claim to have saved many lives and, perhapsunsurprisingly, I acquired a passionate belief in humanitarian values andthe importance of neutral, independent, humanitarian action.From 1988 to 2005 I worked again for Save the Children UK, firstas 

overseas director and then as the charity’s chief executive. Duringthis period ‘humanitarianism’ became a more contested concept and‘humanitarians’ lost some of their self-confidence, for a variety of rea-sons that I shall explore later in this chapter. This was reflected in thefact that the term ‘humanitarian intervention’ came to be used by politi-cians and scholars alike to denote military intervention for ostensibly

Notes

1. 1.
   John De St Jorre, The Brothers’ War (London: Faber, 2009), 412.Google Scholar
2. 6.
   John Stremlau, The International Politics of the Nigerian Civil War1967–70, (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press: 1997).Google Scholar
3. 7.
   For example: Chibuike Uche, ‘Oil, British Interests and the Nigerian Civil War’, Journal of African History, 49.1 (2008): 111–35.Google Scholar
4. 12.
   Charles R Nixon, ‘Self-Determination: The Nigeria/Biafra Case’, World Politics 24.4 (1972), 480.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. 13.
   Walter Schwarz, Nigeria (London: Pall Mall Press, 1968), 230.Google Scholar
6. 20.
   K. W. J. Post, ‘Is There a Case for Biafra?’, International Affairs, 44.1 (1968): 26–39;CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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