By Cajetan Mmuta
Former Senate President, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim on Tuesday called for the establishment of a memorial arcade that will detail a factual account of the 1967-70 Nigerian civil war.
He said the initiative would help both present generations and those unborn to appreciate the scale and extent of the ugly experience.
He noted that the country was yet to properly situate the lessons of the civil war in its history 51years after, saying that such memorials would not only provide soothing effect but highlight war as a national tragedy that must never be contemplated.
Anyim stated this in his keynote address during an International Research Conference on 50 Years Post -Nigeria Civil War organized by the Center for Health and Allied Legal and Demographical Development Research and Training, (CHALADORAT) held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state.
The conference, aimed at charting the course towards building an enduring peace in Nigeria with the theme: “50 Years Post Nigeria Civil War: issues, challenges, and prospects towards national integration, justice, peace and security”, with sub-themes as: “Attitudes of the people of the old Eastern Nigeria towards Nigerian nationalism”, and “Governance, conflict resolution, and sustainable national development”.
Anyim who recommended the Rwandan experience under the leadership of President Kagame argued that nobody would have any reason to talk about honoring victims of civil war if memorial cards were properly laid out.
He said, “51 years after the Nigerian civil war, Nigeria was yet to properly situate the issues and lessons of that experience in our nation’s history. As of today, it appears there’s neither an official record nor memorial of the war.
“We need a detailed and factual account of the war in a sequence of events, social and economic costs, number of lives lost, details of the victims, among others.
“Such an account will help the upcoming generations to appreciate the scale and extent of the unfortunate event.
“The resource materials and outcome of this conference should bridge the gap and service to ward off any reckless desire for war as its dangers will be glaring.”
Anyim, former Secretary to Government of the Federation also lamented the growing disposition of political leaders to be above the law, which according to him, implied a reverse growth of the nation’s democracy.
“The “Above the law” executive political leaders attitude need be evaluated with a view to measuring its effect on the desire of aspirants to political offices, particularly with the attendant rise in corruption and nepotism,” he decried.
Also, the immediate past president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo lamented that the coalition that fought the war was still in control of the nation’s leadership, accusing them of fuelling further crisis through their utterances.
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He said, “We have for too long allowed the bitterness of the war and its lingering feelings to dictate our political relationships. The young men and women who were not part of the war are frustrated by the impasse.
“We do not want any more wars. We have shed enough blood without producing corresponding political results. 50 years after Biafra the time is now overripe for a fresh approach, including discussions and fruitful negotiations,” he said.
Vice-Chancellor of the Unizik, Awka, Prof. Charles Esimone, described the conference as of monumental importance, expressing optimism that the conference would bring about useful ideas and recommendations towards building an enduring peace in the country.
Other speakers at the occasion included Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, Professors Uzodimma Nwala, Akachukwu Ezigbo, a Catholic Bishop, Most Reverend Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, and Alhaji Salihu Lukman.
