Fireworks As CKN Nigeria Readers Take On Chinua Achebe On Comments Against Awo

byCKN NEWS -
2

Chris Kehinde Nwandu Ckn
5 hours ago
Chinua Achebe in his new book titled "There Was A Country " said that Late Chief Obafemi Awolow was responsible for the death of several Igbos during the civil war..Is this correct..Do you agree with Chinua Achebe?..CKN
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  • Ify Kema Obianwu likes this.
  • Ugoh Ikem what facts do you have to disqualify his claim?
  • 'Niyi Fatogbe What is the benefit of sowing the seed of discord among Nigerians by this statement? We should have leaders who should be making efforts to heal the wounds of the past rather than always remind us and even unborn children of our ugly past
    5 hours ago · Like · 7
  • Dammy Njoku Are you contesting this fact by Prof. Chinua Achebe or you don't believe him, thus your post - CKN?
  • Adekunle Luqman Adeyemo CKN...i have deliberately refused to respond to it becos of how i feel about that unfortunate statement.Baba Chinua Achebe is ano elderstateman n shouldnt ve made such an uncharitable statement that was clearly borne our of malice.May d great soul of Chief Obafemi Awolowo continue to rest in piece and long live Chinua Achebe..VIVA NIGERIA!!!
    5 hours ago · Like · 1
  • Dammy Njoku @ Niyi Fatogbe: Considering the current situations of Nigeria and all, every fact is important and should be opened up now, to enable us all decide and them our future and that our unborn children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. This fact very timely and important now. If you got any, please release it now either through FB page or through your own book. Thx.
    5 hours ago · Like · 1
  • Chibuzor Sleekcheese Onyegesi Is ds reason, he neva got d chance 2 rule NIGERIA
    5 hours ago via mobile · Like
  • Chris Kehinde Nwandu Ckn Ugoh Ikem and Dammy Njoku you ve both said nothing..The question is straight,do you agree with him or not?
  • Dammy Njoku @ Adekunle Adeyemo: Are u sure? Well, experience is the best teacher! You or the Yoruba people need to taste it to understand it. For now, you wouldn't understand the content of that Prof's utterances until you know it, despite all your life experience so far. Thx.
  • Dammy Njoku Please read the book!
  • Lexy Uyi Osunde The documentation of history doesn't permit one to be economical with the truth. If Achebe accounts is actually as it happened, why should anyone accuse him of trying to whip up sentiments? Does it mean the truth should be silenced because it reveals the ugly side of some we term our heroes? If what is written is truth, then I commend Chinua Achebe for daring to bring it to the fore, but if some think it is propagation of falsehood, they should furnish us with a counter account.
    5 hours ago · Like · 3
  • Sunday Jolayemi If it is true I will need to read the book cos I want to know how that will improve the lives of the present people who are alive.
  • Law Mefor awo betrayed the igbos no doubt and nigeria betrayed awo
    4 hours ago · Like · 3
  • Chioma Ugboma Mr controversial, why don't tell us your own view first or are u afraid? For the records, and for peace sake, why don't we let sleeping dogs lie? Remember all is fair in WAR!
    4 hours ago · Like · 2
  • Dammy Njoku Law Mefor: Part of the revelations by Prof Achebe
  • Alhaji Oshine Oyedeji Logically yes. Awo strategy of starvation won d war for Nigeria and for sure the consequence of starvation is death! So, I guess the man is right.
    4 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
  • At Joel He is saying the truth.... During my undergraduate days i discovered alot of things which led to what prof.. said
    4 hours ago via mobile · Like
  • Jessica Oladunni Onadipe Tijani No more than what the UN are doing to Syria right now. Pls let sleeping dogs lie. The past is the past for a reason. If we keep looking back we will not be able to move forward.
    4 hours ago · Like · 1
  • Chioma Ugboma The issue at this point in the nation's political history is not whether Achebe lied or not. The big question now is!...of what purpose is dat revelation! Why now? Is it geared towards revenge? What do we and him or the igbos stand to gain now by a truth that has always been known? It has become a folklore passed down generations but coming afresh from a man like Prof makes me wanna holla! We need to move forward and to do so the civil war and its evil wind should remain buried in the archives! Long live Nigeria!
    4 hours ago · Like · 1
  • Dammy Njoku @Chioma Ugboma: Well, Nigeria is there for you and your children; and children children but the fact remains that the truth of all matters must be told, not just for us but for our children unborn. This is called 'History'. Without your past your future is definitely slim. I just don't understand why Nigerians don't believe in the truth or want to work with the truths but with falsehoods and fabrications, the latter bring us to our current situations and Conditions. A professional author had just written or revealed the truth that he knows and witnessed in his life in another of his many works like other before now, and 'Nigerians' are just there making out nothing out of it all. Prof Achebe hadn't made any proposal to any of you. Thx, just a contribution!
  • Daramola Henry Tosin At dammy njoku, I always laugh at igbos wheneva they r pointn acusn fingers at d yorubas for thier failure in d civil war, what a shame! Ojujwu b4 he died also made a revalatn of how he was betrayed by israel and uk.
    Today d igbos c d ijaws n d south-south ppu as thier brothers n political allies, (dis was revealed during d last presidential electn in which dey killed the idea of igbo presidency n massievly 4lo ijaw gej) questns 4 igbos in d house- is it not d same elders of south-south who told Gowon to release ISAAC BORO? (OR U VE NEVA HEARD OF D NAME B4? Lol) dey said d biafrians are after their oil. Many biafra soldiers were killed by boro n his millitants after he was release from prison by Gowon, igbos would neva mentn is name o, or r dey stil after d oil? May b thats y dey r forming a compulsory alliance wit them til date (i dey laugh o) not even our prof could rememba how boro killed d biafran soldiers then like goats but he can rememba awo's advice. 
    Some of them would even blame thier defeat on Gen. Adekunle's role at ore, ofcouse they succeded in killn d yoruba man who vulontear to kead thier troop to war, but my questn is y does it ve to b a yoruba general that wil even lead biafra army? where was ojukwu then? Didnt they ve thier own General? Didnt our prof mention d role of chief martins elechi (present gov of ebonyi) during d war? Lets wait n c d future of igbo in dis Nigeria. Instead of dem coming tngether n c what has been puling dem down in d political terrain of nigeria, they r baming thier woes on awo whose achievements in yorubaland is always remarkabu.
    what did azikiwe contribute to d war den? Did he support it or against it? (i dey laugh o)
    3 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
  • Jolaosho Taofeek Tfk @Dammy, so where do we go from here? I am compelled to contribute cos of Chioma's position & her 'name'. By & large, a man of Chinua Achebe's status is xpected to use his remaining years fostering unity & not d other way round, mind u, d Nigerian civil war ended wt a 'no victor, no vanquished'! Kindly lets av peace in d world via Naija for d sake of generation yet unborn. Nice wkend anywayz.
    3 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
  • Jessica Oladunni Onadipe Tijani Some serious history lesson.
  • Dammy Njoku @ Daramola Tosin: Please, read that book from cover to cover. Am sure you haven't even seen it not to talk of reading the same. Thank you!
  • Chris Kehinde Nwandu Ckn I can't wait to read this book
  • Dammy Njoku @Jolaosho TFK: You still believe in that phrase 'No victor no vanquished'! Too bad, I refused to be fooled repeatedly at my present age. Well, I definitely wish u and ur Nigeria well. FYI, no peace of the world could ever emanate from Nigeria bcos there's definitely none there, don't just mention justice in any context, please!
  • Siti Biobaku Abiola hmmmmm.....@Tosin, u raised some salient points and my question is ds: was Awolowo a soldier? how could he av bn responsible for such deaths? What led to d war? One thing i av noticed is no one wants to talk about what led to d war, they r eager though to talk about d war. 
    Just curious.
    2 hours ago via mobile · Like
  • Eliashib Ime-James I don't know what Achebe wants to achieve with this misrepresentation of facts. This is what the igbo political elite sole to us in the days of yore to stop Awolowo from gaining any political relevance in the east. I was a young boy before the war, I suffered in that war. What I know is that the Nigerian Military were importing heavy weapon of war to destroyed the igbos because people like Muritala Muhammed hated the igbo with a passion. But Awolowo felt otherwise, he preffered an action that will force us to surrender instead of being anihilated. He asked for the supply of food to be cut off by sea. This same Awolow was slapped in the federal cabinet meeting for insisting igbos should not be anihilated. I knew so $uch and I am waiting to see the book before making further comments but when the story is told, you will see the hypocrisy of the average Nigerian across the regions. Awolowo remains an icon you cannot demystify. Awo Awo Awo the best president Nigeria never had.
    2 hours ago via mobile · Like
  • Innocent Marcel My problem with many Nigerians is that we have short memory and are tribalistical (permit my english) aligned in everything , we want to cover up everything in the name of peace and collective co-existence. Why are we not talking of bringing people to justice for their actions or inactions for ALL the lives lost in this country from inception. is anything wrong in an apology for one's action and then face the consequences. its done world wide....it still happening. We shield them once our own is involved. Prof. Achebe has spoken. As an icon, he owes the world the truth and that he has done. should he lie in the name of reconciliation. NO. has the killing stopped? NO. Why do countries setup truth and reconciliation commissions after any bitter conflict? for us, Biafra and those children and wives killed should be buried and buried for life. No one must say anything about it. So also will be the case of Boko Haram....
    2 hours ago · Like · 1
  • Chioma Ugboma Ucle Chris, I bet u are enjoying dis debate! Anyhows, try and read dat book or u should have read it first! Dis is bcos it will make it easier for you to answer some questions emanating from dis debate or should I say tribal exchange! I see the viewpoint of many of the contributors and I weep for the way dis country has been so polarised. You have an Ibo father, a Yoruba mum, an Edo wife! Whether we accept it or not, it is one indivisible Nigeria and on unity I stand not on Aburi accord again o.
  • Innocent Marcel @Chioma Ugboma Aburi accord now rears its head through the cries for true federalism and sovereign national conference. weather you call it Aburi Accord or True federalism, it is something we are waking up to in 2012 while someone canvassed for this over 40yrs ago. Please give credit where its due.... some are born visionaries and others are born reactionaries.
    about an hour ago · Edited · Like · 1
  • Kachi Amuneke Innocent Marcel, God will continue to bless you and your household for your wonderful comment.
  • Ernest Irabor It was a war, what do u expect from a war when Awo was on the federal side? who is responsible for other Nigerians that died during the war. The war is over let us concentrate on what will move us forward either as a Country or as a Federated unit
  • Sanya Ademiluyi I thought Pa Chinua Achebe would continue to enjoy his status as one of the fathers of modern African literature.But am disaapointed that he has in recent times not risen above his achievements of the past.
  • Ogbonna Onyekwena Awo said"starvatn is a legitimate weapon of war",then igbos were starved to death.
  • Innocent Marcel Lets all educate ourselves a little bit, at least be at par with international standards. @ Ernest Irabor, .... Why are Generals and Politicians tried for War Crimes after War. Its simply because in a war situation, there are what they called international law of war or international rules of engagement. according to dictionary "A directive issued by competent military authority that delineates the limitations and circumstances under which forces will initiate and prosecute combat engagement with other forces encountered". You don't shoot an unarmed civilians etc. You fight to minimise civilian casualties not maximise it. Awolowo and Gowon should be facing war crimes in a sane society for their actions. sentiments apart, but alas, they are our heroes....
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Blaming Awolowo is gibberish.Awo alone canot take a decision at a federal exec council meeting.He can be overruled by the Military head of state and military brass.Talk of Awo responsible for policy is nonsense.Gowon and Military take responsibility for any decision of Military govt.Why didnt Achebe mention Gowon the head of state or Danjuma or Murtala Muhammed? Thankfully Gowon is still alive,Danjuma is still alive .Why Awo? Achebe is fixated in the past.Circa1930 Ndigbo village square
  • Sanya Ademiluyi I studied literature for first degree so Achebe cant tell me anything about literature.By age 19 i had read most of the literary greats including Achebe and broken down all th Soyi...See More
  • Nnabugwu Chioma ckn, chief Obafemi Awolowo caused the death of Ibos during the Civil. Hunger killed more Ibos than the bullets of Gowon, Murtala and Adekunle put together. Do you know how many chi...See More
  • Sanya Ademiluyi AChebe wasiting about modern Nigeria in Trouble with Nigeria,but his inability to disabuse himself of ethnic bias against the Yoruba affected his literary craft and the book was no...See More
  • Ralph Umeh D yorubas will always defend Awo for what he did for them n d igbos will continue to hate Awo for what he did to them. Ask those that had over 10,000 and was given a mere 20 pounds...See More
  • Innocent Marcel Truly it hurts and I'm really happy we're beginning to see this clearer. I do not believe in singling out anyone. I believe investigations should to conducted into their activities...See More
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Questions for Achebe and his old Igbo bigots.Was Awo there when Nweogwu &co planned the coup of 1966? Was Awo there when the North counter-couped in 1966? Was Awo there when Ojukwu...See More
  • Sanya Ademiluyi is living in the past.He is highly respected but cannot rise above his Igbo sentiments.
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Was Gowon and Military obliged to accept any Awo advice?
  • Innocent Marcel @ Sanya, I'm really finding it difficult to understand your argument. can you articulate it better.?????//
  • Sanya Ademiluyi people look for scapegoats to hang for their own problems and their own decisions.Did Awo start the war?Was he there at the village square when Ojukwu was urged by Igbo leaders to declare Biafra?
  • Innocent Marcel @ Sanya, sincerely I'm really finding it difficult to understand your argument. can you articulate it better.?????// are you saying Awo couldn't have been a sane person and tender his resignation out of he's believe in human dignity? I really need to hear you out on this.
  • Chris Kehinde Nwandu Ckn Sanya ,are you talking of Kaduna Nzeogwu?
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Yes Kaduna Nzeogwu.
  • Innocent Marcel @ Sanya, Please answer this. If you're in Awo' shoe during the war, what would you have done differently? I really need insight into your person.
  • Law Mefor soyinka worked for justice; awo did not. i think he saw the war as a chance to get back to zik by dealing with his kinsmen. what he did is unpardonable. he could have served nigeri...See More
  • Olurotimi Tolulope Fadahunsi Hmmn! I need to read a copy of this book to make an informed contribution. This is a clarion call to those still alive to contribute their own memoirs of the war to help us appreciate it and bury the hatchet!
  • Chris Kehinde Nwandu Ckn Soyinha was a friend of the Igbos..He was even imprisoned for that
  • Innocent Marcel Chris Kehinde Nwandu Ckn, Not friends of the igbos, he simply have regards for human life, he placed humanity above personal gains and he still lives that today. he's a worthy example.
  • Law Mefor @ckn...if awo did the same, nigeria's problems would ahve been decided once and for alll. i think tht is the point achebe is making. he instead thought getting zik out of the way would clear the coast for him. how mistaken he was!
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Chioma says role of the writer is to mirror society.I am a literature graduate of over 25 yrs so pls Achebe is mirroring a society he believes in.He is governed by his own melieu which is circa 1930s to 1950s.His literature has not risen beyond that period.
  • Innocent Marcel @ Sanya a student of literature for 25 yrs? Hmmmmn, i ask again, don't dogde again this time. If you're in Awo' shoe during the war, what would you have done differently?
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Achebe is a writer and also wants to be a military strategist.What does he know about such things? Did Awo command the Military during the war?Was he the one who sent ships to blockage Biafra? People simply talk rubbish.Are so childish.
  • Innocent Marcel @ Sanya i ask again, don't dodge again this time. If you're in Awo' shoe during the war, what would you have done differently?
  • Sanya Ademiluyi You go to war and you expect your opponents to give you bread.Such a military strategist would be dismissed from ordinarily Military school Zaria,not even NDA.
  • Innocent Marcel @ Sanya Ademiluyi........ Please don't dodge again this time. If you're in Awo's shoe during the war, what would you have done differently?
  • Sanya Ademiluyi When Ojukwu sent an airplane to bomb Lagos during the war ,the airplane crashed near lagos.If it had bombed Lagos who would have been killed? answer--The Yorubas.Were Yorubas fighting Igbos?No.They were in sympathy with the Igbos.
  • Sanya Ademiluyi If you were from the Minority Ibiobio,or Ijaw an you were caught trying to escape through the Enugu or Umahia--Ikot Ikpene road,it was instant death by Biafran soldiers.So what is Achebe and his apologists talking about.War is never fair.It is not a tea party.
  • Chris Kehinde Nwandu Ckn Did anyone of you read Ebenezer Babatope's response to Achebe?
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Nothing.Marcel.Awo did not start the war and did not end the war.The same Igbo leaders and followers who started the war ended it when they adviced Ojukwu to go to exile and told Gen.Effoing to surrender.It was not Awo's call.
  • Innocent Marcel @ Sanya, As a graduate of literature for 25yrs and very knowledgeable about this stuff, please write your own book.
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Zik too wanted to be president.He got it as Governor general and later president but he had no powers.So he got what he wanted--to be president but he had no powers!only ceremonial.To warm the Queen of ENgland's,and Lord Lugard's old seat!
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Again Achebe's Igbo book will be dumped in the dust bin by critics.The same way The Trouble with Nigeria failed.
  • Innocent Marcel and also Things fall Apart.... Watch the book, Millions already sold. The world is reading it. you can choose not to read. ignorance at your peril
    14 minutes ago · Like · 1
  • Sanya Ademiluyi Ralph Umeh--again that decision giving Igbos 20 pounds no matter what you had sounds harsh.But even the Nigerian Govt.was broke after the civil war.Both sides were broke.And when y...See More
  • Kayode Yussuf I'm a yoruba person,i do believed that Awo did what he thought that is good for one Nigeria then,but if Awo his alive today it possible for him to say i'm wrong by not going along...See More
  • Innocent Marcel @ Kayode Yussuf, Please take time and teach Sanya Ademiluyi. I'm sure he needs to read more literature, not read enough though.....we're in 2012. reasons prevail, not emotions

CKN NEWS

Chris Kehinde Nwandu is the Editor In Chief of CKNNEWS || He is a Law graduate and an Alumnus of Lagos State University, Lead City University Ibadan and Nigerian Institute Of Journalism || With over 2 decades practice in Journalism, PR and Advertising, he is a member of several Professional bodies within and outside Nigeria || Member: Institute Of Chartered Arbitrators ( UK ) || Member : Institute of Chartered Mediators And Conciliation || Member : Nigerian Institute Of Public Relations || Member : Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria || Fellow : Institute of Personality Development And Customer Relationship Management || Member and Chairman Board Of Trustees: Guild Of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria

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