Ndigbo, Let's Excise this Cancerous Lesion "Violence" before it Consumes Us
Ndigbo, Let's Excise this Cancerous Lesion "Violence" before it Consumes Us
By Dr. Laz Ude Eze
Ụtụtụ ọma Ụmụ Igbo ibe m.
My heart felt condolence to families who may have lost loved ones due to the Lekki Massacre and destructions in various parts of the country including Alaigbo. I also empathise with persons whose properties may have been destroyed.
The events of the past few days got me very worried and concerned about Alaigbo.
The #EndSARS protests in the South-East was the most peaceful in the country.
To my knowledge, there was no reports of skirmishes all round. No reported killing by security operatives and no destruction of properties.
But hell was let loose after Nnamdi Kanu's broadcast inciting attacks on the police.
Boom....destructions began everywhere, from Asaba to Port Harcourt, Aba, Enugu, Abakaliki, Owerri, Okposi, Awkuzu, etc. Policemen reportedly killed, police stations and public utilities were destroyed. Is it a mere coincidence? Or is it a case of owl crying at night and a child dies in the morning?
My community was not spared, the old police station in my home town (Okposi) and LGA (Ohaozara) were completely destroyed and burnt, the newly built Okposi Police Station was also burnt. My people believe the attackers were IPOB Members who came from other locations. Whether they're right or wrong, that the perception.
As Ndigbo, we are builders. But the reality is that we now have some destroyers among us. Nobody is born a destroyer, it's the environment that shapes what people eventually become. Before now, I used to defend IPOB as a non-violent organisation. But my view has changed. In July 2015, I tweeted that the hate messages on Radio Biafra as a time bomb that must be neutralised before it explodes. Inciting hate and violence under any guise is absolutely unacceptable, and that's what Nnamdi Kanu has been doing for over 6 years now. Hate is a societal cancer that will grow if not excised and we are all potential victims including their cheerleaders. He started with preaching hate against Hausa, Fulani and Yorubas, now he has turned to fellow Igbos. They deploy mob action against anyone who dares to criticise them publicly, so I expect their vicious attacks. But keeping mum at a time like this is like enabling evil.
The earlier we rise as a people and neutralise any form of toxicity among us, the better for us. Nnamdi Kanu and his gang must be cured of their narcissistic personality disorder, maniac attacks and megalomania. The dominant religion in Alaigbo is Christianity and Jesus Christ's greatest commandment is LOVE. Omenala Igbo also promotes love. That's why everywhere we go, we build and help to develop the land. That's who we are and we must retain that identity. Haters don't do that.
All the destructions that happened in Alaigbo this week were not done by foreigners, but mainly by ndị ibe anyị. I've not seen or read about this kind of destruction across Alaigbo in my adult life. Are they trying to live up to the "terrorist" tag placed on them by the Federal authorities?
In fact, if we as a people don't do a surgical excision of this cancerous lesion now, it may consume us. Boko Haram started with attacking security personnel, police stations and public utilities, we all know the rest of the story. We haven't fully recovered from the impact of the civil war, we cannot tolerate any form of threat to peace in Alaigbo, whether internal or external.
The state governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Town Unions, elders, the youth, men and women of goodwill and all lovers of Alaigbo must work together, using akọ na uche to address this problem NOW.
Ndigbo, taa bụ gbo. Awọ anaghị agba ọsọ ehihie n'efu. Ka anyị wepụ aka enwe n'ofe tupu ọ ghọọ aka mmadụ. E mee ngwa ngwa e meghara ọdachi.
Today is the United Nations Day, I preach peace. Ka udo chịa na mba ụwa.
Ya gaziere Igbo niile.
Dr. Laz Ude Eze (Ichie)
24th October 2020.
Say Something about Ndigbo, Let's Excise this Cancerous Lesion "Violence" before it Consumes Us