FOR THE RECORD: NIGERIA IN GENOCIDE STUDIES

One of the joys of discovering some new knowledge is that sense of liberation, of knowing that which has in fact set him free.

Renaissance man, Dr Jimanze Ego-Alowes insightful new book “Nigeria, the unreported genocide against the Igbo” has torn to shreds the shroud that covered the inner recess of the temple and all that were hidden are now known.

As the Biafran conundrum rages, ancient and new animosities against the Igbo are catalogued, Ego-Alowes with a stroke of genius exposed the best kept secret act of annihilation against the Igbo – not in the battle field, but through a systematic and programmed eco-cultural violence, with a devastating un-abating consequence in a manner that establishes genocide.
Article II and III of the 1948 Convention on the prevention and punishment of Genocide defines Genocide as any act “deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”.

Further, the article describes in accordance with criminal jurisprudence the two elements, mental and physical/actual that must exist in establishing genocide.
Ego-Alowes in a sharp, delicate precision of a forensic examiner, established motives, acts and intendment of genocide against the genocidaires, whom he referred to as the 2GMOs.

Two ex-battle field commanders united in their hatred against the Igbo, who later became Nigeria’s post war leaders devised a most corrosive post war policy of annihilation against the Igbo through economic stripping by excising the oil rich areas of Igbo land from core Igbo states and infusing a retrogressive cultural virus, fundamentally opposed to their values with the intention of institutionalising chaos in Igbo land for their ultimate destruction. The result of this virus – the Traditional rulership as planted in Igboland through the junta's Commission for Local Government unification is self evident in Igbo land, in the disruptions, blood feuds and chaos as a result of Ezeship tussles.

While it can be argued by certain unbelievers of this revelation that the writers conclusion of wilful intent to commit genocide by the 2GMOs is conjectural, however, there is unequivocal certainty that the acts of the 2GMOs brought about systematic and effective destruction of the people belonging to the Igbo ethnic tribe.

Well, the international criminal justice system is not such a nice guy that is very patient and forgiving if you plead ignorance, if it was so Milosovic and Charles Taylor wouldn’t be sitting in their cold lonely cubicles in some anonymous addresses somewhere in Europe rather they would have been holding court in some Hilltop mansions with full complement including a presidential library.

Beyond bringing to public knowledge this genocidal act against the Igbos by the 2GMOs (as referred by the writer), this book serves as an advocacy for Igbo to liberate themselves from the retrogressive idea of monarchism just as they rejected its equally un-illustrious predecessors – the warrant Chieftaincies.

The writer of this book is neither an anarchist nor alarmist, as a historian and economist he sees the contradiction and limiting nature of traditional rulership in Igboland. He is well minded of the fact that when the colonials invented their monarchies in Igbo land through the warrant chieftaincies, the Igbo distrusted, disdained and dismissed it, why should they then now accept new bronze gods to be created for them through one junta report. For a people whose republican spirit flourished its entrepreneurial exploits, why should they burden themselves with the encumbrance of a village prefect? If others know this and kept quiet, Dr Jimanze Ego-Alowes chose not to be quiet.

Or how can one explain how a people with long history of republicanism became subjects and hostages to single individuals in the name of “their Royal Highness”. It is an irreconcilable paradox that while progressive societies in Europe, China etc., have thrown aboard the iron cloak of monarchism inspired by the egalitarianism and success of the United States of America, the Igbo born natural republicans are shackling themselves with it.

For Jimanze, the Igbo must rediscover their republicanism and recalibrate the concept of “OHA”, the organisational structure that knit them together and provide the context in which they flourish and thrive.

No doubt this book is a vicious body punch to the traditional rulership institution in Igboland and will certainly jolt all those whose imaginary “Ancient kingdoms” are at risk of crashing, but for the discerning it defines the future of the Igbo. If Igbo ever wish to compete in this 21st century, certainly they must raise their own cry of down with the king! History will be kind to the author of this book for giving life to this idea.

Besides Dr Jimanze Ego-Alowes’ radical advocacy to throw over board the vestigial of warrant chieftaincy in the form of traditional rulership in Igbo land being a destructive contaminant planted for genocidal intents by the 2GMOs, he also provided a debatable construction of the Igbo patriarch whom he variously referred to as ESHI/EHI/ERI.

This book is a must-read and challenge to lawyers, historians, cultural activists and in fact persons interested in the advancement of the Igbo society. Barrister Jude Nnamdi Nwakanma. nwakanma is an Owerri based attorney.

are you a book reader? have you read our Nigeria: the unreported genocide...? let's please have your review. god bless.