Deconstruction of some perceptions of knowlegibility in Igboland & Diaspora

Introduction

Like previous articles, this is another exploration into knowledge sources and their expression and awareness in the post-colonial community. Knowledge may seem like a simple issue but it is indeed a complex component of human being including but not limited to Ndigbo. In the background of civilisation/asset stripping function/goal of colonisation I want to look at various ways post-colonial generation of Ndigbo have handled knowledge (amamihe) at the individual and then at the collective scales.  There is no suggestion or conclusion that colonisation is the culprit of dynamics of current epistemology of Ndigbo nevertheless such conclusion will suffice when critical analysis of colonisation by Ndigbo bears fruit.

Why Knowledge?

Knowledge is beyond definition while being preponderant to human existence in his/her awareness of individual and group, personal and collective, material and immaterial, fact and fiction, contingent and metaphysical. Irrespective of context this view of knowledge is found in any community of humans at any stage of their civilisations. It is knowledge that allows individuals and community to proudly claim or lay claim to their ontology, identity and originality which is constructed effectively in language, idioms and proverbs and ideas.  

This is the beauty of a people.  Built environment is an extension of the testament of this beauty and its expression. The quality, nuance and scope of knowledge of various communities are not static in time and space. So is the source considering the level of intra, inter and extra community interactions. Something to happened to appreciation of knowledge sources in Igboland.

What is Knowledge?

While amamihe represents to a great extent knowledge ima ihe replicates the verb to know. Amamihe represents general articulation of knowledge devoid of attention to specialisation by any individual. This must have formed the structural benchmark to grading awareness and understanding in pre-colonial times. Of course specialisation was part of the experience which is best captured in the phrase/question, “imarana ihe?” The best illustration is captured in the specialisation of medical/health professions classified into Dibia Ogwu, Dibia Nshi and Dibia Aja. Therefore context defines where answer to the question comes from hence identifies the true professional.

Conquest of colonisation opens another door of knowledge creation, knowledge imposition and knowledge creativity including dynamism in conceptualisation and language. Example is the phrase, Ishi Akwukwo. While the etymology is less fuzzy its origin is less than 150 years ago which aligns with nascent time to cement re-introduction of written or recorded knowledge. On its own the phrase is harmless however in reality it creates a new trajectory of discrimination, evaluation and devaluation. 

The new imperial institutions in the politics, religion and military re-configured the knowledge landscape to serve their strategic goals. By so doing communities where summarily divided into 2 major groups while ishi akwukwo became status symbol in the creation or making of new Ogaranya. Nuclear and extended families became not fatally divided albeit divided between those deemed intelligent and bright, and those who are deem not.  

The speed of this change was fast in a single generation but the effect was felt and is still felt. For reasons which cannot be explored here, many gaps opened up including the exuberance of the ndi nwere ishi akwukwo with all the perks and the lack of nuanced discussion in communities on the implication of the new knowledge definitions beyond the perfunctory focus on the anticipated  individual/family/community benefits.  

Outcomes

What became apparent is that new knowledge definition gradually took root, those who were deemed unsuitable or unresponsive were pushed aside in a Darwinian fashion hence a value system focused on ishi akwukwo. There is also evidence where certain knowledge, skills and professions were obliterated through ignorant zeal of new religious fervour. In any case the erstwhile knowledge sources where deemed unsustainable and incompatible to intolerant ‘Christianity’. 

The professional, skilled, artistic and eccentric were pushed down the river of expectation in a renewed zeal for inflexibility. By so doing a proverb confirmed itself, “Aluto agbogho achupu agadi.” The implication is that success is based on acquiring ‘book knowledge’ and thus became the focus of many investments without proper evaluation. Many families wasted resources and continue to do so till the present day.

If you peruse current formal knowledge landscape of Igboland you’ll be struck with the minority of attention to professional and vocational education. Most secondary schools have only one linear career path that is academic, which is flawed in principle. One can safely conclude that in Imo State there are less than 50 vocational schools. This short fall is complemented by private skill acquisition and training schemes in car repairing, electricals, computer hardware, air-condition & refrigeration and etc. Even in the post-secondary sphere, polytechnics do not receive the investments they deserve to transform the economic and knowledge landscape.

In a way this is a contribution to the over bloated universities which function as glorified conveyor belts churning out graduates rushed through curriculum without accompanying tutorials and guidance sessions hence with limited prospects only and high inflated expectations.

By the time you confront the ‘privileged’ diaspora especially in the English-speaking temperate lands then another penny drops. While an absolute minority are apt to denigrate another that their alma mater is not in the top 50 world recognised ivory tower as another cluster literally harangued those who did not choose IT profession. There used to be a cluster of ambitious Igbo young men and Igbo young women in London UK few years ago whose narrow worldview revolves around the supremacy of IT. The intoxication to this lunatic expression of professional 5^th column is something to behold as every other individual or profession is relegated to the gutter of hopelessness.

The relegation of core Igbo knowledge sources and knowledge system can be perceived strong in the way experiences, cultures and traditions are appreciated in expression. Even Igbo Language is perceived as a colloquial tool devoid of any other function. Even Chinua Achebe couldn’t see what the fuss is all about. You begin to wonder why there is almost no Igbo Language Departments in Igbo Universities.  Of course these are sustained by a shallow intelligentsia and ruling elite whose sense of knowledge and culture lacks sophistication and pride. Apparently one can appreciate that sectins of Igbo populations are transforming into hybrids of nothingness were grasps of core Igbo knowledge has ceased to exist while total integration into the new one seem almost impossible.

Forward March
It will be irrational to revert to the pre-colonial world. Nevertheless the confrontation between Igbo and imperial knowledge systems/sources needs to be critically analysed, discussed in depth and re-emphasised with nuanced and view toward praxis. Part of this discussion should focus on the role of Christianity on elevation/devaluation of Ndigbo. That a people can only be consumers of knowledge products/sources received from outside is counter-productive. Passive consumption doesn’t attract greatness.

One of the benefits of greater interaction is the ability and opportunity of travel afforded to those deemed ndi n’enweghi ishi akwukwo. This has added new layer of complexity towards understanding of knowledge and more so the measure of knowledge. The inflexibility of colonial Igboland experience have contributed to many young people traveling to different parts of the world with positive and negative experiences.  Evidence abounds of the industry, innovation and creativity of many these men and women including but not limited to becoming proficient in extra-African languages and cultures. United States singularly is the hotbed of transformation for many who were condemned previously.

As the world geopolitical landscape is being reconfigured with non-European and non-Atlantic powers projecting influence across the world there is greater incentive for Ndigbo to revisit Igbo knowledge, values, knowledge sources, ontology and origin in the bid to bring it up to date as a force of concentration and dynamic rallying point. History may be re-written by the conquerors but time has come for the formerly vanquished to truly answered their father’s name.

Internal geopolitics and complexity of advantage in embattled Nigeria

Introduction

The current state of Nigeria and her expression of constitutional power at federal, state and local levels provides an interesting backdrop in chronic misreading of history, fatalistic disposition to self-destruction and sustained identity crisis. Bearing in mind that the above are not new elements in the political spaces, this piece makes an attempt to draw out historical niches supporting inability of figures heads to making the most from absence of war in parts of Nigerian geopolitical space.

In the beginning

The journey of becoming Nigeria can at best be compared to River Nile in complexity nevertheless we must acknowledge that the latter is a natural phenomenon. It is interesting that Nile possess the unique feature of being one of few rivers in the world that flow from south to north. It is a feat of natural ingenuity to sustain continental flow over thousands of kilometres in unprecedented assent before dropping off gradually towards the last 500 km in present day Egypt. It is important to re-emphasise that the world is not flat and south – north flow is close to anomaly nevertheless Nile has thrived across millennia.

In the case of Nigeria, it is started as a business deal between London and Unilever for a few pounds. Of course before that was the total pacification of the various peoples and nations currently under its leaking umbrella. By ‘total’ I mean deployment of religious, political, economic, cultural and military forces to destabilise and overhaul indigenous peoples and their civilisations. Ever since its emergence in 1914 it continues to be problematic which her colonial investors managed with aplomb while the indigenes or rather their figure heads handle with pretended stupidity. Without robust critical evaluation and historical amnesia, various figureheads continue to defy logic in the attempt to maintain a flawed architecture. Contrary to the success of Nile, blowing hot against gravity can only lead to disaster despite the best intentions. Intentions cannot conspire against history successfully.

If it is not reception of imposed political system without modification to accommodate unique local idiosyncrasies, it is preponderance of fear to discourage pluralistic endeavours across nationality lines and worse pretending that universalist foreign religious groups are indigenous despite their rank-and-file taking orders from outside. Remember that indigenous religions thrived on accommodation, ecumenism and tolerance; all of a sudden they are marginalised as satanic protégés of the same people who were in the beginning created in the ‘image of God and his likeness’. The result has been preventable conflicts and destruction of lives and property almost every 5 years. Surely Nigeria we hail thee!

Real Imbeciles

The conflicts and destruction perpetrated by the figureheads in politics, military and religion is mindboggling because they are indigenous. What is curious is that even in instances where the conflict theatres and destructions are geographically restricted, political operators in non-conflicts areas fail to take advantage in advancing strategies, make real political investment and meeting basis need of peoples, populations and electorates.  Ugly precedence can be relayed back to the 1950s when Nigeria was ready for or was offered independence only to be declined on the preposterous reason that ‘everyone  is not ready’.  Even if these were sufficient what was the internal geopolitical design to allow it to stand? Was anything extracted from the party seeking delay on the future strategy whenever the country became independent? Politics is about opportunity and speed. If Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo were eggheads of their time, why is there no record of their understanding of colonial strategic design and zeal to shape the future according to their designs? Or even an alliance between them for extended strategic control of Nigeria’s affairs? The got it wrong and still want future generations to do so; epitome of failed and flawed politicking. Is it to be believe that the north is not born to rule from sand to sea when the south threw away their opportunity into the sea? Is there any legitimacy for southerners to claim marginalisation when the so-called smart minds in Azikiwe and Awolowo woefully failed to read geopolitical wind directions and take advantage?

Matters continuing

The current leadership in Abuja will no doubt be impressed to be compared with Jurassic Park Town Council as it revels in the doldrums of both internal and external affairs. Its lack of touch, lack of focus and inattention is now legendary as the implications mounts. For those who clamour for their questionable turns on the presidency, it is my fervent hope that South-South group are in buoyant mood. For the figureheads who continue to fail tests of expectation at local and state levels in Igboland, one can only be reminded that there is time for everything. With nothing to show for effective leadership and strategic implementations after the 2^nd republic, Igboland is now a mangled space of undeserving putrification. In the PDPstan, most LG Chairpersons appropriate public resource for next gubernatorial ambition and most governors perform abysmally for the next presidential race. Sad!

As recent conflict combusts the north epicentred in the North East one would have imagined attractions of the opportunities for areas in non-conflict zones. Lack of imagination and intellectual poverty have taken hold! Particularly this confirmation that absence of war is not peace is perfectly illustrated by Nigeria. As the north burn, the south has failed to take advantage to lap the race of development and advancement especially in Igboland despite hyperbolic drool of contested collective intelligence. Provision of basic infrastructure and public service is now confounded with emasculated expectation from proverbial 10% sorry 100%. An old son of a gun attributes it to leadership crisis, hmm! Identity crisis, QED!

Not even the sacrifices of generations past and those who particularly ran the river of hope in the Nigeria-Biafra War figure in political and geopolitical calculation of the figureheads including those in the religious sphere. Those who continue to delude themselves that indigeneity of structure is the same as control of decision making. Churches that lost touch with real people and real problem solving instead waste resources on incredulous philosophies and theologies devoid of addressing of self-same conquered peoples.  The sad part is the these church figureheads fail to realise that the institutions they represent continue to reflect strategic rear-guard actions against our peoples ontologies which cannot be shaken off by mere platitudes cloth in new status, foreign Northern degrees and enhancing built environment on donated lands. Blindness comes in various forms and shapes.

Any hope? Of course there is abundance of it in its immateriality. However one must acknowledge that the current generation is fast reaching its death when new unexpected positive rigour whose foundations were laid before will take off. Maybe at that time the concept, territory and continental shelves of what is currently regarded as Nigeria will be swept into oblivion.

Update on the Pantheon of South American Revolutionaries

South America glides like a myth. To many outsiders it is a potent mystery with no clear approach or suggestion of understanding. The plain truth is that this continent is never asleep rather it is ever pulsating to reach the zenith of human endeavour. Ever since Columbus and this ilk landed on the continent the new existential struggle unleashed initially with savage annihilations of indigenous populations, first by military violence, followed by waves of disease explosion, in tow as inter-generational repression under the imprimaturs of politics, economic neolibrealism and even in God’s name. 

This continent and her peoples from Baja California to Tierra del Fuego have not rested on their laurels in their bids to stand up to defend and sustain their independence. In unique expressions of dedication to strategic and continuous revolution, it is an understatement to refer to these noble men and women across generations as revolutionaries.

The last century saw an intensification as the receiver of global hegemony designated that geography her backyard and padlocked it with impunity. Despite the ringing encomiums of freedom and democracy in the Norte, it is viciously emasculated and annihilated in the Sud just to maintain preferred choice and options against popular will. Even modest attempts to compromise majority expectation were savagely crushed in Guatemala, Chile and Grenada, Nicaragua and many other countries.

Still these heroic giants of peoples doggedly refused to submit to time-inflated potency of contingent power without popular support. In a gradual shift and opening the churning struggle and irrepressible power in the belly of indefatigable faithful took off in the last few decades finally turning the tide of fortune for the majority. On the shoulder of giants long gone and still alive, revolutionary zeal concentrated and embodied on foresighted minds to carry the touch.

The spectre of revolution once again exploded timely in Venezuela as majority of men, women, youth and children took a final stand that banished fear to its labyrinth leading to the emergence of Commandante Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias. Armed with history and popular mandate but on an initially slow start, impatience from below confirmed that currency of power cannot be shifted successfully with complacency at home and chicken heart abroad. Else like Simon Bolivar said, his will be another revolution ploughing the sea; in whose memory he drilled in popular participation on the exemplar of Dr Salvador Allende in Chile and armed to the teeth like Commandante Fidel Castro in Cuba. Total recovery of the state, unfetter redistribution of national wealth, withdrawal of subservience to the Empire, harassing and hounding poverty from national heritage among others collectively elevated Venezuela identity and brand. No more a territory once a year remembered for the apogee of post-puberty feminine elegance and pageantry for the privileged! No, Venezuela inhabits honourable men, women, youth and children, old and young, rich and poor.

After a decade his active participation turned to resilient inspiration achieving in the process what centuries denied honourable men and women of Venezuela with positive chain reactions across the Americas. Where high tenor of vicious condemnation from the North and Empire becomes the unequivocal barometer of his success! As the Empire pivots in tortoise-speed decline and bogged down in cancerous conflicts with her blind remoras in terminal inability to re-create greatness in a world whose geographical limits is confirmed, once again the pantheon of South American revolutionaries have updated with another permanent feature on its pedestal. That evergreen feature is Commandante Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias.

Enhanced encirclement of the Federal Republic

One of the first things Nigerian foreign policy experts got right immediately after independence is recognition that the country is encircled by France. This was evidenced on the fact that only Guinea under Late President Sekou Toure rejected General De Gaulle’s independence by proxy in 1958. West African countries formerly colonized by France have not shifted in disposition from that view held by Lagos. One can surmise that their relationship with Paris has strengthened as concretised by Cote d’Ivorie civil war including deployment of French troops twice in the last decade. To all intents and purposes French design on West Africa is rather a fait accompli in the face of emerging geopolitical power reconfiguration.

One of the main reasons of French unfettered dalliance is attributed to spineless foreign policy and diplomacy of Lagos and later Abuja in the last few decades. What should have been Nigeria’s sphere of influence is now open house of intervention as floundering domestic politics and absence of stature take hold. One doesn’t need to be a geologist to appreciate the wealth of mineral resources and huge deposits in the national territories and their continental shelves. In the face of increasing Chinese influence and investment, and declining fortune of European economies; new gunboat diplomacy in unleashed through US al-Qaedarisation of foreign policy has emerged. This time Nigeria is further encircled by new realities to the blindness of politicians and mandarins in Abuja.

The ongoing invasion of Mali by France and United States under the guise of ‘war against terrorism’ made it clear that recolonisation of Africa by United States is no longer a theory or approximation. Anti-terrorist statements are red-herrings. There is no evidence suggesting that any of the so-called Islamist/terrorist groups in Africa threaten United States or her interests. There is no evidence that the so-called Islamist/terrorist groups possess capacities to open fronts or sustain their initiatives independently without active (non-African state) support. Evidence is rather pointing to their existence as proxies for invasion of countries with massive mineral resources.

Now Nigeria is in the crosshairs of United States. While many Nigerians are apt to project positive relationship with Washington DC, evidence clearly shows that despite Lagos and now Abuja significant efforts; Washington DC prefers sub-letting diplomatic initiatives to London. This is the reason for apparent ambivalence of United States engagements in Africa with minor deviations here and there. What Abuja failed to foresee was that her intervention in Liberia and Sierra Leone were the high noon of her West African policy as Paris recalibrated her interest hence to tighten the noose and isolate Abuja further. This was clearly displayed few months ago in Nigeria’s reprehensible sending of troops to Bamako under UN mandate to serve under French high command. Contrast this development with Abuja’s docility as Boko Haram runs rampage.

Few weeks ago, Nigerien government signed an agreement with United States (Africa Command) to station drone airbase near Niamey.  Niger is already under Paris armpit with huge interest in uranium mines and other mineral resource investments. It is interesting that reaction from Abuja is not forthcoming. Nigeria is the real deal in Africa irrespective of weak leadership and pulverising domestic politics. The distance between (possible site) Diori Hamani International Airport, Niamey, Niger and Sokoto, Zaria and Abuja are 213 km, 416 km and 476 km respectively. 5 other countries are within 300 km buffer radius of this site. The proximity of this future drone base to Nigeria’s frontier is ominous and significant as drones will increase capacity for spying and real-time data/information gathering along the long border with Niger and potentially within the country. Complemented by constellation of civilian and military satellites, and on-the-ground human assets, drones will provide real-time voice and video intelligence in a classic cyper-spatial lockdown. It will be naïve to suggest that these drones will not penetrate Nigerian airspace and compromise her territorial integrity while Abuja sinks deep in malfeasance and corruption.

Nigerian US-phile commentators will be hard-pressed to justify this move by an ally. What these individuals failed to realize is that for decades now Nigeria and albeit Africa have no viable constituency or credible interlocutor in the United States. Congressional Black Caucus is as ineffectual as it is currently worthless. In this instance Dr Martin Luther King Jr. died with his dream and Malcolm X anticipations are fulfilled.  With this singular measure, Nigeria is fully encircled as the other prize in Africa after DR Congo. With disarray in governance and domestic politics, one can conjecture that increased stature of Boko Haram and her recent off-shoots will excuse proper invasion in time with minimum footprint. AFRICOM is in Africa to stay as violent and unprovoked bombardment of Libya plus execution of Col. Muammar Gaddafi is too vivid to dismiss.

The timing of al-Qaedarisation of US African policy is significant considering that 8 years of former President George Bush 2 focused attention on Iraq and Afghanistan. Now it took an African-American president of United States to back-stab with unadulterated violence and unprovoked attacks. Irish-Americans cannot imagine assault on Ireland, Armenians-American will not tolerate bombardment of Yerevan while Israeli-Americans will not enable targeting of the ‘standing’ aircraft carrier of Middle East alias Israel.

However it is clearer by the day that while Washington DC pivots in Asia to forestall Beijing, real war is actually taking place throughout Africa through unprovoked attacks to facilitate unfettered access to large reserves of mineral resources, arable lands and water resources. Unfortunately Nigeria is too weak domestically and diplomatically to complain talk less of mounting effective push-back. Change of top US diplomat from Mrs. Hilary Clinton to Mr. John Kerry seems like consolidation of Al-Qaedarisation/drone diplomacy than detour despite the latter’s mentioning ‘Nigeria’s fighting corruption’ in his opening statements. The current and emerging encirclement has a twist with French driving face and US rear seating of this troubling diplomacy. One can perceive the success of the French scoop in a perfect realignment of her African policy complementing US interest.

Evidently, in the face of geopolitical realignment, convergence of interests and pursuit of these interests via al-Qaedarisation/drone diplomacy; the so-called giant of Africa has regressed abysmally into micro-existence. In the absence of effective counter-initiative from Abuja, and in defiance of Kissinger doctrine that nothing comes out of Africa; it takes an African-American president to prove it wrong with unprovoked violence enabled by no boots on the ground towards effective recolonisation.

Still it is never late to clarify the substance of ‘arise o compatriots’ or the essence in reverting to ‘Nigeria we hail thee’.

Confusing centres of power in Igboland political geography

Introduction

Political geography is not a popular discourse in Igboland despite its evidence across the land and her people. Nevertheless its evidence and dynamics has mutated in the last century and increasingly in the last 50 years to the point of being considered confusing. The confusion is inserted to account for yawning gap between expectation of umunnadi-actors and observed outcomes of the imposed geographies. The purpose of this piece is to present a partial treatment of the geographies at play, the patterns, relationships and misalignment with the help of a schema of geographies above.

Pre-Colonial Delineations
Debate on Igboland and Ndigbo regarding politics and power has always taken the negative to the point of reduction hence Igbo history, Igbo politics and Igbo studies remains off-limit in primary, secondary and tertiary education. To an extent this has been justified in some quarters as an opportunity to impose new structures for unfortunate historical updates. 

Nevertheless there is an exhaustive study on Ndigbo and Igboland on the number of graduate dissertations, scholarly publications and some books. More is required. Some of the controversy is generated on the status of Igboland as a state (probably in the Westphalian sense) and on the depth of its centralisation. On the latter there is the quick latch on the republican nature of Ndigbo as if it is a universal testament across communities. Effort is not to be wasted as such here.

However political power in Igboland is intrinsically territorial whether community is patrilineal or matrilineal. While there is no overarching centralised leadership there is no doubt of territorial integrity of Igbo nation for millennia. There is clear and unequivocal expression of spatial consistency of a people and various powers especially political power. Power in essence is spatially defined beyond indeterminate nature of individuals due to their incessant mobility. 

The smallest unit of clustering is Atuobi (household) headed by a husband and is fixed and generational. Various households of common ancestry is headed by the most senior in age as Opara/Okpara/Onye ji ofo but units smaller than kindred are equally acknowledged. Members of different households of common ancestry cluster into Mbam (kindred) headed by the most senior in age. Mbam is not always contiguous as residential needs makes for extra-territorial expansion on either communal or private plots.

It must be noted that embodiment of political and judicial powers in husbands, first sons and senior elders doesn’t confer total power to them. Each of them is associated with geographies where their essence is most pronounced in space as Obi, Obiri, Obiriama, Ogbakoro or Ogige. Obi can be technically and loosely conflated with seating/living room in modern architecture. 

Obiri or Obiriama is situated with the inner land at the residence of the most senior elder although this obvious in most households. Various mbam constitute Ama (village) which is mostly linear in the last 100 years. Contrast patterns could be obtains at older settlements (okpulo). The capital of each ama is Ogbakoro, Ogige Ogbako or Ebe Ogbako.  

This is the ‘centre’ of village life and every member of the village has access. Collective decisions of politics, law, territory and economy are made on this spot. There is no distinction between executive, legislative and judicial undertaking in this space.  It is a unique place and extraordinarily that as court of justice, political office, parliament, consultation place, festival spot, spiritual point and not a market. 

Casual observation of few of them across locations identified patterns similar to bends or neck connecting 2 parts of a village. It is spacious enough to accommodate every member of the village. It is apt that religious space is distinct and specially invested for primary access and permission of the priest/Onyejishi ala/Onyejishi Agbara.

Different Ama constitutes a town/mba. Care must be taken that this is rather not a functional description but a normative denotation of settlement. Each town/mba has a ‘centre’ where collective political, judicial, legislative, economic, social and spiritual issues are debated and decided. Across the board and above household level, men dominate debates and decisions however individuals and groups are represented in deliberations. At times women, groups of adults and youth congregate and make decision impacting communities not necessarily at the village and town ‘centres’. 

Dates of events are announced in advance except in emergencies, attendance in good time is mandatory (contrary to students of African time) and decisions made therein are binding. Presentations and representations are not masked by specialisation and profession in (political) parties. Distance between residences and each ‘centre’ increases with level in hierarchy nevertheless no one is isolated. It is important that in communities with matrilineal lineage, participation of women in collective decision making at the ‘centre’ is reflected in their higher numbers.

Town in various parts of Igboland may constitute or formally engage in loose confederations depending on common interest, common ancestry and common boundary. Leadership is not imposed rather agreed by consensus. 

Colonial Tidings
Colonisation is a testament to conquest and vanquish of Igboland economically, politically, militarily and spiritually by an external stronger force. The territorial integrity was hijacked for foreign interest and in essence triggers up new cartographic and spatial delineations to accelerate new interests. The implication was enormous and remains potent to this today. 

It doesn’t remove that fact the pre-colonial geographies are original, indigenous, people-oriented and internally generated for collective interest. The new geographies are imposed, non-negotiated, mostly non-coterminous and will ever remain contested. It is clear that imposed geographies attempt without success to claim legitimacy from the organic spatial outlays. 

Christianity emerged into foray in the bid to ‘bring the gospel’ to the heathen. My perspective is defined by Catholic spatial structures. Fact remains that captains of Christianity at the time were neither neutral nor disinterested in the melee or mayhem towards ‘mass conversion’ of Igboland. This was centuries after the most heinous crime of trans-Atlantic enslavement of Africans sanctioned by Christianity as crystallized in Bartholomew de la Casas attempt to mitigate American Indians suffering by his suggesting Africans as convenient strategic solution. If American Indians were human enough to be spared, then Africans including Ndigbo are inhuman to be saved. He was referred to as Saviour of American Indians! Probably the Scourge of Africans!

The ‘evangelisation’ project involved peculiar spatial criteria especially where imposition is confused with ‘divine’ will to cement centralisation for a global network. This means that onye Igbo nwere okwukwe fits into a 4 stage schema – individual, parish, diocese and world (Vatican) in a funnel-like structure. The new boundaries are not coterminous with the original rather are disconnected from it as a priority for consolidation. 

The operational and function constrains on Ndigbo is challenging because of an expected hybrid geography with anticipated outcome for the new imposition with fledgling of theocracy which upset dominant worldview. Despite generational pulsation of diocese and parish sizes, it is clear that faithful are deformed spatially or isolated from a realistic view point hence priests/church are always far away. There is clear expectation that legitimacy will be drawn from the indigenous spatial template of Igboland. 

Until recently parish centres/priests are always delimited away from settlements/communities in essence a physical gap inevitably emerges as a result mostly in extra-urban areas. In recent times some parishes are becoming coterminous to a single town/mba. Of course there were or are reasons. Dioceses centre run by a bishop is mentally located as far as Jerusalem, Rome and Egypt respectively. 

Post-Independence Bonanza
Independence brought home another litany of spatial reconfigurations almost every decade till the present. Nevertheless one must be mindful that what happened after the UK-Unilever business deal that delivered Nigeria only set the scene of an umbrella without internal consistency. Between 1914 and 1960 retrogressive cartographical investments can be perceived from their large spread and obvious displacement from the peoples or rather subjects. Whether you call it South or Eastern Region with or without sub-division, Igboland only hung on to puerile geographies that principally relegate the home base.

The hierarchical demotion continued with post-independence administrators & leaders who have continued the onslaught on spatial reconfigurations starting with conflict-imposed balkanisation of Eastern region in 1967 to 1976 emergence of Imo and Anambra States. Without totally condemning these acts of national dissection, one can only bizarrely watch the yawning gap between the people and potentials of the new boundaries. Of course the numbers increased again with addition of Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu States. 

While the national boundary of Igboland is acknowledged, the internal outlines and sub-divisions denoted in local governments and wards have continued to defy reason in their inability to bring resources to the majority and vice versa. As structures imposed by (top-down) fiat, absence of productive connection with the original leaves the new geographies without legitimacy and functional consistency. 

Igboland internal geographies are rather mangled together in reaching out beyond it for interests in the Nigerian project via senatorial zones and federal representative areas. What is obvious is that the expectations of these new geographies are that their centres seem puzzling as their collective purposes disheartening.  Of course resources continue to reach them from the Federation Account and other accounts for ‘settlements’ and proverbial 10 per centres. In some cases the centres never existed or apparently ooze of periphery as personality politics decimated their rightful expression of public benefits to associated populations. 

What obtains is an ever increasing distance between umunna and multiple centres of power devoid of centre and power that only confirms that their centres are no longer holding. It is better for umunna to focus attention on pregnant clouds than hope for crumbs thrown away of a less stingy table from an expected centre of power. Another option is to reclaim and or modify these boundaries and their centres regardless of their levels in hierarchy to their rightful designations towards active responsibility to umunna on the ground.

The Future After Pope Benedict XI

The unexpected but not unusual news that Pope Benedict XI is resigning at the end of the month has unleashed the usual frenzy in mainstream media chattering about the usual short-attention span platitudes. As a matter of fact and record, he’s not the first pope to resign showing that all popes do not die in office. Nevertheless the man must be congratulated for his courage and humility in defying centuries-long tradition. In a sense the pope in modern era most associated with tradition and orthodoxy has shown revolutionary streak by displaying that nothing is set in stone and that the Church is more about Spirit than contingent predictable matter. Lessons of history!

This timely announcement carries a lot of strategic implications for the Church globally. As cardinals prepare for the next conclave in the next few weeks without mourning, there is no doubt issues confronting the church will be laid bare. More so in a fast changing world, there is great necessity for the Church to renew herself to be in the driving seat.  Some of the issues that one expects in the new pope’s purview will include but not limited to the following;

-          Relationship with the South. The last 2 decades has opened up positive political and socio-economic experiences in many parts of the South i.e. Africa, South America and Asia. Many governments are reflecting the will of their peoples; economic development and economic growth are rising with increased investment on social and public services. In parallel Europe the erstwhile centre of economic power is in decline. This is the first time in Church history that its primary environment has fallen behind economically. In addition it must be stated that Europe’s church attendance decline, decreasing birth rate and declining population signify that Church’s soul has left the continent. It is now in the South.  The new pope needs to confront this reality with maturity and wisdom towards an enhanced relationship.

-          Dormancy (and at times deafening silence) of National Bishop Councils. As the world changes in power configuration with multipolarity becoming the clear platform of geopolitics, the new pope must advance nuanced flexibility towards enhancing the profile of national churches. This means national churches must not suffer no more at the expense of Vatican diplomacy. Active participation of the hierarchy in the political, socio-economic and cultural development of their countries is long over-due without the burden of being frozen out or labelled Marxist.

-          Sustainable moral authority in national political spaces. The new pope must appreciate the complexity of self-determination and aspiration of majority in pursuing their political needs. On a number of occasions, Vatican has made questionable diplomatic judgements which alienated many faithful in some countries e.g. apparent understanding of 1973 Gen Pinochet’s bloody coup against an elected government in Chile, recognition of coup-engineered Paraguayan government in 2012, 'allowing' defiance of Venezuelan hierarchy in openly supporting coup d’état against a democratically elected government in 2002 among others.

-          Rising of Islamist destabilisation. The convergence of interest between western military power and islamist assets has unleashed a new dimension of instability especially in Middle East and Africa. It will be appropriate for the new pope to renew dialogue with Islamic authorities towards negotiation based on life-giving theological experiences that stems the tide of violence in many countries. Such an opportunity allows renewed dialogue with Islam on increasing destabilisation purported in its name.

-          Relationship with China. The new pope must quickly fine-tune progressive diplomacy of engagement with China. One of the factors preventing a nuanced engagement is the historical baggage over China’s escape from being overrun by the same European military machine that penetrated other lands preceding Christian evangelisation.

These issues are poignant for the times we live in and the Church’s long experience and vast resources are well placed to re-inject another dose of ‘fresh air’ and updates on unimplemented pages of Vatican II conclusions gathering dust in the archives.

Potential fall out from alleged Boko Haram attack on Emir of Kano

Introduction

Media was dominated few weeks ago with reports of alleged attack by members of Boko Haram on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. The reports claimed that while he was unhurt members of his entourage were not so lucky. While this report is disputable, I’ll concentrate on the potential implications for political forces in northern Nigeria and Nigeria in the short and long term. In doing so I’ll attempt to tease out unique dynamics over time that placed Emir of Kano in questionable position since the 1960s.

Northern Politics

That Boko Haram has become media sensation in Nigeria is no longer news. One will conclude that their media prowess has amplified to attract mainstream western media which in itself is serious and worrying. Nevertheless the events that brought Boko Haram into public discourse has a long unique trajectory which is unfortunately dismissed as a usual phenomenon. These events are part of political tools ad methodologies used by the northern Hausa-Fulani oligarchy to successful pull the strings of the state.

From a spatial perspective it now evident that the actions and methods of Boko Haram are restricted within the territorial space coterminous to the erstwhile Northern Nigeria region. It is also instructive that while this area has undergone population and cultural dynamics since 1960, the political structures and operators remain to all intents and purpose monolithic and cohesive.

From internal political dimension, this is an area formerly under the guardianship of the late Northern Region Premier, Sarduna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, a proponent of the strategy of ruling Nigeria from ‘sand to the sea’. There is no evidence that this dictum has suffered denudation of late if you pay less attention on who occupies the head of government/state.

Northern hand of Federal instrument

The arrival of 4^th republic under former President Obasanjo opened up a new era in opaque Nigerian politics. Among other things the northern states positively and successfully played strong cards on devolution of law with regard to Sharia. It is important for political watchers to realize that there are few areas of the ‘federal republic’ that is federal indeed. Just a theoretical construction for finally valorization of the state! The successful establishment of Sharia Law as the primary basis of mediation and litigation in Northern region is a testament of political astuteness and strategic foresight.  Only if it solved all underlying problems!

It is rather surprising that this legal and constitutional victory which should have been significant pointer in ‘fighting the war by other means’ did not materialize. The implications are huge for the northern political machine and northern elite in general.

 Emir’s Hegemony

While the Emir of Kano is a powerful political and religious figure in the north and Nigeria, he is on a lower pecking order whose apex is occupied by the Sultan of Sokoto. While I ply my trade denying the veracity of alleged Boko Haram attack, my bearing of this conclusion come from history. Compared to other parts of the country, northern region political machine has remained consistent and united. Dissent is not tolerated or rewarded. To suggest that rouge political and religious elements can institute, execute and wreak havoc across their patrimony without oversight is myopic and delusional.

History has recorded and confirmed that Northern region is a space of genocide and massacre since independence with sustained periodic annihilation of innocent citizens who ascribed and achieved it as home. In the name of politics, religion or both, 1000s have been killed over generations in the northern region with no one brought to account. One of those who always give assurance of safety in his territory is Alhaji Ado Bayero not least the assurance he gave to the late General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu before and during the events that led to the establishment of Republic of Biafra.

From the fall of Biafra Republic to the present, northern instituted massacres have continued unabated including in Kano and Emir of Kano has not supported its cessation or prosecution of suspects. Many families from around Nigeria have suffering bodily and material losses under Alhaji Ado Bayero’s leadership without recourse to justice in a court of law. To suggest that Emir of Kano has blood on his hands is an understatement. One can only surmise that Boko Haram is another name in the litany of northern instituted violence in her unique pattern of self-regeneration.

Implications

One can wishfully and rightly expect Boko Haram to fade away in time when its masters decide to pull the leash. We have observed similar successful management of cyclical violent proxies in Eastern DR Congo by Rwanda itself a proxy of United States. Boko Haram is a violent proxy whose identity is not very clear at the moment. Nevertheless if the alleged attempt on Alhaji Ado Bayero is true, then this is the first time the Hausa-Fulani oligarchy is receiving a body blow from internal quarters. It can be interpreted as the outset of gradual erosion of northern political machine towards elevation of a new political force. Therefore Emir of Kano and his superior, Sultan of Sokoto may not be smiling after all or they are playing double game of strategic realignment. It is difficult to discern.

On the one hand the usually consistent and all-encompassing power base is threatened from within by a potentially powerful group who are determined to use the same methods that assured erstwhile unity to split or overthrow the current political machine.  In any case there are 2 folds of threats; one against current northern political machine/elite and the one against Nigeria. This is a dynamic which is bound to change and or reverse. It is difficult to conjecture Boko Haram’s success without the current northern power machine/elite. On the other hand, they seem to be plying under unseen hands towards reconfiguration of (Africa) current power structures similar to objectives of US AFRICOM.

The longevity of Boko Haram confirmed it as an organised group with coherent theory of domination, have well-funded local and international support, well-established military hardware supply lines, expertise in deploying explosives, understanding of low-intensity conflict and gradual mastering of the spatial underpinnings of urban warfare. The unseen and unknown guides/masters may be playing for time awaiting events to drag out for an opportunity to finally claim their booty. The determination of this new group who combine effective use of media for maximum impact and deployment of fear confirms an understanding that absence of the state is not just an incentive but a comparative advantage for supplanting it.

Geopolitical Pivots

If Boko Haram is a threat to citizens it is understandable.  However in the face of mounting evidence of state’s reluctance to deal effectively with northern institute religious armies of violence, why should Boko Haram be an exception. If innocent citizens for the last 2 generations have suffered genocide and massacres without Nigeria state interventions and relief, why should these citizens expected positive change while Boko Haram runs riot? To all intents and purpose, the arrival of Boko Haram is another confirmation of Nigeria as a genocidal state. Does Nigeria deserve to be saved? What is the justification for such proposition?

As a potential harbinger of further destabilisation, events in North Africa in the last few years should be a guide. Western mainstream media has commenced paying attention to Boko Haram with armchair ‘experts’ already suggesting links between Boko Haram and foreign Islamist assets. Libya should be a perfect example of where interest of great powers and Islamists converged to generate maximum celebration of violence and dismantling of a state. United States AFRICOM core objective is ensured in the destruction of Libya with effective deployment of Islamist and NATO.

Apart from Libya possessing large quantities of fresh water and crude oil, there were billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese and Russian contracts. To suffocate national independence and check Beijing’s influence, Libya was reduced to rubble and reverted to Stone Age.

Similar event is repeated with panache of stage management in Mali where huge deposits of crude oil, natural gas and gold are confirmed. Chinese investment in Mali is substantial to trigger alarm in Washington DC. It is not surprising that Islamists here used again as fodder of destabilisation to enable deployment of foreign troops in another plank toward recolonisation of Africa. If Mali has only fields of broccoli or geology of useless laterite no Rafael bombers will overfly her airspace with French boots on the ground via US airlifting capacity. One should not forget that Mali has been under US radar and compliance for at least a decade with her armed forces trained by both United States and France. Nigeria’s deployment of troops to Mali maybe dress-rehearsal of what may materialise eventually in her case.

While Nigeria possess crude oil among other natural resources as part of US strategic interests secure, Chinese investment in Nigeria is growing in the last decade albeit in the non-crude oil sector. Nigeria is the biggest geopolitical prize on the continent. The size of Chinese investments and Beijing’s hunger for mineral resources among others things could be the trigger for unleashing Boko Haram as proxy to displays pitiable state response and final call for foreign intervention. If this is plausible, then there is no doubt that the northern power machine/elite including the Emir of Kano are in pole position to reap benefits of potential emergence from final recolonisation of Nigeria.