By: Mike Daniel Okaba
What Unites Us is Greater than What Divides Us.
Lifting from the historic lines of former American president John. F Kennedy but which Is well on its way to becoming a cliché and that is: “What unites us is greater than what divides us!” Late John F. Kennedy used it in his 1961 address to Canadian Parliament: “Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder. What unites us is far better and greater than what divides us.”
In the same Vein to my fellow countrymen From the east and particularly to the agitators of the Sovereign state of Biafra, Geography has made Us One , History has made Us One. Economics has made Us One . And necessity has made Use One. Thus; Those whom divine providence hath bought together let no Man put asunder. (Nnamdi Kanu please take note) Its high time we realized that Nigeria Is not a function of a British experimentation but rather a function of divine providence, the more reason It remains and will always remain an Indivisible entity.
I say Kedu to you all let me first of all State clearly and Unapologetically that I truly admire your tenacity and resilience in what seems to me like a Wasted and fruitless struggle of 40 Years plus, Alas! If the same Vigour and relentless strength were used In the Concept of one Nigeria, (albeit the lgbos are known for their business acumen and technological prowess and dexterity) at least we would have Moved farther towards the threshold of greatness as a nation because nothing brings stunted growth and retardedness to a nation like disunity and discord because It would always breed crises and endless Struggle on the Journey to greatness .
Dear Easterners let us not be so quick In forgetting the lessons of history, can we forget about what divides us and discover what Unites us? Can we not just promise our children a brighter tomorrow but a better day? can we forget about our differences that Makes us a laughing stock among the Committee of Nations and claim our rightful place in the Committee of nations as the Giant of Africa? Let us see ourselves, Yorubas, Hausas and other ethnic groups in this country as one indivisible Nigeria. Together we can fulfill our founding fathers’ dreams.
The Biafra movement emerged as a result of serious urgency. It came up to save the Easterners from the genocide developing in the North. That’s why when the late General Ojukwu moved the motion of Biafra to the Igbo elders, there was a unanimous approval. But today, throw up the issue of Biafra to the Igbo elites, and you are sure to get a different response. It means the people are divided on the Biafra issue, and it will never enjoy such massive support it had in 1967. I don’t support the Biafran call. The agitation General Gowon thought was going to end soon turned into a full-blown war that lasted for 3 years, and was fought by farmers and blacksmiths with no technical support.
Nevertheless, the lgbos showed resilience and held on for a unanimously shared belief. It is that very Igbo persistent spirit I urge us to always remember. Whatever life endeavour we find ourselves in, be it in business, in academics or in spiritual life, the spirit of the Igbo nation will always see the Nigerian entity through. The Igbos are conquerors; they never say “never”. Today, they are first-class entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Now imagine there is a country called Biafra. Where are they going to start from? How much will Biafra pound be to a dollar? Do you think the
