In a powerful and soul-stirring video message, an Igbo man Chidi Gaddiyel has spoken openly to his people with honesty and deep conviction, laying bare uncomfortable truths about the history, choices, and challenges of the Igbo nation. His words, though piercing, are intended as a wake-up call for renewal and positive change.
A Painful History Revisited
He reminded his people of the devastating consequences of the Biafran War (1967–1970), a conflict that left Nigeria shattered and cost the lives of almost ten million Igbos. While figures of casualties vary, scholars estimate that over two million people perished, largely from starvation, while others argue the toll may have been much higher.
He recalled how Nigeria’s foremost nationalist, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, advised against the war, warning Biafran leader Odumegwu Ojukwu of the futility and danger. Ojukwu pressed on, and the Igbo people were plunged into a war that was both strategically ill-prepared and diplomatically isolated. The result, he lamented, was the loss of a generation — a tragedy from which Igbo society is still struggling to recover.
The speaker drove home a poignant thought: if the millions of Igbo sons and daughters lost during that war had lived, Igboland today could have been a powerhouse of development, innovation, and cultural leadership.
Warning Against Repeating History
Drawing parallels between the past and the present, he cautioned that the agitation led by Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a dangerous replay of history. He argued that Kanu’s rhetoric is misleading, manipulative, and has already claimed many innocent lives.
“Nigeria will remain one and indivisible,” he insisted, urging Igbos to reject any agitation that promises freedom where there is no captivity. He stressed that the idea of secession today is even more unrealistic than it was in 1967, given Nigeria’s military strength, regional interdependence, and global political realities.
A Call for Introspection
The most striking part of his appeal was the emphasis on self-examination. He asserted that the Igbo people often contribute to their own difficulties, citing instances where Igbo actions initiated in the military in Northern Nigeria and act of betrayal worsened tensions and unforgiveness that led to reprisals against their own kin.
He further pointed out that the recurring pattern of rejection Igbos face in parts of Africa — in Gabon, Ghana, South Africa, and even within Nigeria’s Lagos — is not solely the fault of their hosts. Instead, he suggested that arrogance, installing their own King, territorial domination, divisive orientation, disrespect of the indigenes and a failure to integrate respectfully have left lasting scars on their reputation.
The Way Forward
The speaker’s message was not to condemn but to challenge: Igbos must stop seeing themselves as perpetual victims of external oppression and start addressing internal failings. By embracing humility, discipline, unity, and mutual respect, the Igbo people can reinvent themselves as a respected and prosperous part of Nigeria and the global community.
His appeal was simple but profound: Change the mindset. Change the attitude. Stop repeating mistakes of the past. Work with others to build, not to divide.
Analysis
The Igbo nation has historically been among Nigeria’s most industrious and entrepreneurial groups, excelling in commerce, education, and diaspora influence. Yet, unresolved trauma from the civil war and the allure of separatist rhetoric continue to fuel cycles of resentment and agitation.
What this video underscores is that no amount of agitation can replace pragmatic reform, honest leadership, and cultural renewal. To secure a better future, the Igbo nation must choose the harder but wiser path: rejecting divisive rhetoric, learning from history, and cultivating attitudes that foster acceptance, progress, and peace.
Dr. G. Fraser. MFR.
The National Patriots.
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