Saying Sorry for Biafra

I (not so) recently had an interesting conversation with a former colleague of mine. She is Igbo. I have known her for a very long while and we always banter about Igbo business prowess and Yoruba show-offiness but we never really talked about what her experiences are regarding the war of her parents’ generation. One particular day, probably set off by a hashtag or rant or twitter, I asked her what she thought she knew and any stories passed on to her about Biafra. Before I get in to that, I have to say I’m a bit of a scholar of that time. I obviously am too young to have lived it but I have earnestly tried to read up on any piece of writing about that particularly horrid time in our collective history. I have read Obasanjo’s books, I have read Achebe’s book, read Alabi-Isama’s book and heard him give his personal account, I have read accounts, and analysis from various sources. I have listened and listened to both my parents, my grandparents and other various adults on their experiences about the time. So when I asked my friend about Biafra on this particular day, it was entirely coming from a place of learning. I feel very strongly that it is our responsibility, this generation, to learn everytime about that time, and truly honor that episode.

Back to our conversation on this faithful day. My friend narrated to me that the horrors of Biafra are not so distant to her and her family. In fact, the little known story was that her mother was kept essentially as a sex slave by Nigerian soldiers, and she bore children for these soldiers. I asked her if her mother knew who her rapists were and she said she can’t really remember but that she was in camp with a few prominent soldiers — well known names today. Just let that sink in for a moment. Imagine what it must have felt like, imagine how difficult it is to be trusting after that? Imagine what it must feel like after all that, to hear derogatory comments about your tribe in this very nation that you have personally suffered to keep alive. That afternoon I felt the atrocities of that time and in those moments her story became my own.

Some people feel strongly that we need to have a truth and reconciliation committee in the mold of our South African brothers after apartheid. An avenue for accusers to come forward and tell their story, to give voice to the pain and suffering of that time. I used to think we would need something like that as well. Even if the particular logistics of it all was a little fuzzy. However, reading about some cases where governments after decades resorted to making a big deal of acknowledging wrongs of previous decades and apologizing for atrocities. America has done it (countless times), the UK have done it, Japan has done it. I think this is more of what would be extremely helpful for us all in Nigeria. It would be great if a Nigerian president one day stood up, and with great publicity, publicly apologize for the atrocities and genocide of the Biafra war. To announce that it has been far too long living with the rift of the war. To go out of his or her way to acknowledge grievances and to declare that we are moving forward as one country with no party left behind. That would be a great thing wouldn’t it?

Recently we have had very insulting and incendiary comments made by APC stalwarts — Akiolu and the lagoongate saga, Buhari and his who is marginalizing them comment — which only serve to pull the rift apart stronger. We need to stop making these ridiculous comments. I surely do hope that we have a young leader waiting in the wings these days who is courageous and principled enough to make this kind of a stance. We need healing. It is important, whether we think there’s a more comprehensive story to be told, to acknowledge that many Igbos feel disregarded, maligned, & unwelcome. The only way to start healing our country is to simply get on a podium and start by apologizing. That would be a glorious day indeed and I pray to see it soon!