Building a new collective dream of a better world begins by first mobilizing our collective will to make things right for all people. It begins with all of us standing up for our neighbors, especially when we see them being brutally victimized and murdered while we stand by.
On May 20, 2009, Dr. Emmanuel Enekwechi, Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile issued a compelling plea for help to the people of the world, which I have posted below. This anguished call-to-action recounts the ongoing inhuman conditions, robbery, slaughter of innocent civilians, and other injustices in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian Military. Are you in a position to help?
Dr. Enekwechi's plea has takes on new and deeper meaning, when you consider President Barack Obama's powerful setting of the stage for a new world vision --- a new beginning across the world when he reminded us of these truths:
"For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.
I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere."
On May 20, 2009, Dr. Emmanuel Enekwechi, Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile issued a compelling plea for help to the people of the world, which I have posted below. This anguished call-to-action recounts the ongoing inhuman conditions, robbery, slaughter of innocent civilians, and other injustices in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian Military.
Dr. Enekwechi asks the people of the world --- the governments of the world --- to take notice...to look within our spans of influence to come to the aid of the Biafran people. Can you help?
Nigerian Military Murdering Civilians in the Niger Delta, May 17 2009:
Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE) Position Statement
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May 20, 2009
BGIE decries the recent and ongoing military expedition of Nigeria’s Armed Forces in the Niger Delta region starting this past week, which predictably has resulted in the indiscriminate killing of a large number of unarmed civilians, destruction of their homes and property, and the displacement and dislocation of hundreds of thousands of hapless men, women, children, youth, and elderly of the Niger Delta.
BGIE strongly condemns this crime by Nigeria, a crime against the people of Biafra and against humanity. Since the end of the Nigeria Biafra war in 1970 the Nigerian government has habitually and systematically been slaughtering innocent men, women, and children in Biafra and sacking towns and villages using its armed forces. Sadly the world has kept quiet. The Nigerian government, aware that the world will remain silent and not pay attention and using her lobbying firms to shield these atrocities from the news media, will continue with impunity its genocidal policy and actions against Biafrans.
However, BGIE expects men and women of goodwill of the world to finally take notice of the operative State policy of Nigeria which institutionalizes the rape of the Niger Delta and ongoing genocide against Biafrans. Nigeria Government Decrees: “Petroleum Resources Decree, 1969”; “Land Use Decree #6, 1978”; and “National Inland Waterways Decree #13, 1997,” unilaterally and incontestably took away the land, mineral resources and water resources and other property ownership and management rights of the peoples of the Niger Delta and Biafra without consultation or consent. Not only has the State of Nigeria impounded these resources from their rightful owners, but also the Nigerian military and political oligarchs have used the enormous financial resources accruing from these resources to amass huge financial fortunes for themselves while the rightful owners of the land and resources have been condemned to a life of poverty, misery, squalor, and privation. To add salt to injury, whatever is left after the oligarchs have looted the treasury they use to develop other parts of Nigeria while neglecting the Niger Delta, Biafra Region; all to the calculated, pernicious detriment of the Niger Delta and Biafra. The Niger Delta problem is not a “development problem.” It is a “justice problem.” Restore the land, mineral and water resources to the rightful owners and the Niger Delta problem will end very quickly.
BGIE expects courageous and practical people of the world to acknowledge the fact that the UN has adopted a principle that will be the centerpiece of the goal of restoring peace, security and stability to the region. In adopting Resolution A/61/295 supporting Self Determination of nations, races and peoples, the UN provided a mechanism for oppressed peoples and those, like the Niger Delta and Biafra, who are threatened by a failed and brutal State such as the State of Nigeria, to regain control of their respective destinies and dignity.
While still reeling from the shock of the current Nigeria’s bloody attack on innocent and unarmed civilians of the Niger Delta, BGIE hereby dutifully offers a practical and effective way out of the quandary: the UN Self Determination resolution ought to be applied to the situation in Nigeria. We urge the peoples and nations in Nigeria to take this UN Resolution seriously and press their respective Self Determination agenda. We urge the people, governments and institutions of the world to respect and support this Self Determination agenda for the people of Biafra and for peace in the Niger Delta. Thus, we can all invest in, and harvest, peace and stability in the region, while saving the lives of innocent humanity; thus, we can stop the ongoing second wave of genocide on the people of Biafra by Nigeria.
Signed:
Dr. Emmanuel Enekwechi
Prime Minister, Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE)