Every 3rd December has been set aside by the United Nations to commemorate International day of persons with disabilities in the whole world. It is a thing of joy that the theme for this years’ celebration is “Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible Society for all”. It is a theme that provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between the persons with disabilities and the society which will be focusing on promoting accessibility and removing all types of barriers in the society. Barrier in this case can take a variety of forms, including those relating to lack of access to physical environment, information and communication technology (ICT) or those resulting from legislation or policy, societal attitudes or discrimination. However, the major target for international day of persons with disability in 2012 by the Nigerian Association of the physically Handicapped Persons – Anambra State Chapter is to campaign against lack of access to physical environment.
Accessible physical environment is one that all people, both individuals with and without disabilities can use freely without hindrance. Persons with disability includes people with vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive and other impairments, as well as anyone who might be experiencing a temporary disability due to an illness or accident. Accessible environment should also accommodate the elderly population, which is generally characterized by a gradual loss of ability of some sort.
The physical environment can be made accessible to the greatest number of people, with facilities like lift ramp where there are steps, covering of drainages, Braille prints on lift control panels for the visual impaired, display of routes on taxis & buses for the hearing impaired, low counters for the wheelchair users and dwarfs in the banks and other public places, ensuring that entrance to banks and other public places are accessible enough and where metal detector doors are used, it must be manned by competent personnel who can temporally disable the metal detectors for persons with disability who use iron based mobility aid/appliances to pass through without delay or embarrassment .
Accessibility of the physical environment is a key factor to persons with disabilities in achieving greater independence, participation and social inclusion. It is true that it affects all members of the society but, for persons with disabilities, the barriers to equal participation in the society due to an inaccessible physical environment are much greater.
An accessible built environment can facilitate great inclusion and participation and is recognized as a core element for realization of a society based on equal rights. It also provides people with independence and the means to pursue an active social and economic life.
However, the right to participate in the society is not enjoyed by all. On daily basis persons with disabilities are faced with barriers, which effectively excluded them from participating as equal citizens. Many of these barriers related to the accessibility of their physical environment.
A recent investigation by the Nigerian Association for the physical handicapped persons (NAPHP)AnambraStatechapter highlights the issues of accessibility as a significant factor restricting social participation of persons with disability.
The investigation confirms that persons with disabilities are more restricted in accessing their physical environment and thus participating in social and cultural activities than non-disabled persons. It was also discovered that over 70% of churches, hospitals, banks, markets, town halls, and schools more especially higher institutions, offices, homes etc in Anambra State are not accessible to persons with disabilities without going up and down steps. This can make it difficult for some persons with disabilities to visit their friends or family members, attending church services, other social gatherings and even working normal in their offices. These difficulties being experienced by persons with disability particularly by the old people in attending church activities, entering banks, markets, town halls for meetings, hospital for proper medication etc could be linked to the major reason why they usually felt isolated and socially excluded.
Despite the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, Article 9, which states that every disabled person has the right to participate in family, cultural and social life, many persons with disabilities from this part of the world remained excluded from participating in family, cultural, and social life due to an inaccessible physical environment. The major reason is that those structures and construction are generally designed without considering the needs of persons with disability.
The issue of physical environment accessibility clearly impacts in the lives of people with disabilities, young and old alike on their level of social participation.
However, legislations and regulations should play a vital role in introducing measures to improve our physical environment accessibility through expediting actions that will ensure the quick passage of persons with disability bill that is at the floor of the Senate while it is also expected that all the states of the federation should emulate the Lagos state government for their giant strides in passing the persons with disability bill in 2011 for their state and thereby improved the independence of persons with disabilities. It is imperative also that all relevant agencies responsible for regulating the environment, building and infrastructural standards such as ministry of environment and town planning authorities etc are strengthened by employing qualified persons with disabilities that will serve as a desk officer and will ensure at all times that our environment is accessible. This is necessary because, even when the bills are passed into laws, very little can be achieved in enforcing them without affective and effective regulatory agencies.
Finally, the church leaders, traditional rulers, government, and general public should make the environment building visitable by persons with disabilities.
This is to ensure that adequate provisions are made to enable persons with disabilities to satisfy and independently access and use their physical environment without any barrier.
Commandant general, Chaplains Nigeria, a Christian non-denominational organization, Dr. Evans Onyewuchi Ibe, has decried the deplorable condition of the country’s prisons and urged the Federal Government to reform it to salvage the inmates.
In his address at the commissioning of the Chaplaincy at the Community Baptist Church, Owerri and the conferment of life matron of the organization on Ms Estelle Igwe, zonal controller, Owerri zonal office of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Ibe urged Nigerians to have compassion on prisoners, as they could turn out to become good citizens.
“These people behind bars are our brothers and sisters, fathers, mothers and relatives. At times some of them are innocent of the charges against them. Chaplains must make every of their prison visitations very important and must exhibit professionalism when counseling the prisoners.
“As Chaplains, we must show love to those men and women behind bars, because their problems are looked upon as spiritual.
“We specialize in prison chaplaincy, because we believe that Prisons harbor so many people that have committed various crimes, because they don’t know God. And when they throw them in there and throw away the keys, we are not too happy about it.
“And so, we want to go back there and minister the word of God to them and perhaps change their minds for positive things. And some of them after serving their terms in jail, become changed people. So that is why we don’t believe in throwing away people in prison, because we believe that they can be salvaged,” he stated.
Rev. Ernest Eke, a cleric of the Baptist Church in his sermon, advised Nigerians to shun selfishness and greed, which according to him were responsible for the country’s under development.
Eke described Igwe as a good hearted Nigerian, which according to him, was instrumental to the honour bestowed on her by the Chaplains Nigeria.
According to him, you don’t need to be a millionaire to render assistance to your neighbour or anybody in need.
Chaplains International was formed in France by St. Martins de Torres in 316 AD.
The Uyo correspondent of The Nation newspaper has been beaten to coma by security operatives attached to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, as he made to enter the venue of a lavish party the governor is hosting in celebration of his 50th birthday.
Five operatives of the State Security Service descended on Kazeem Ibrahym at the entrance of the Governor’s lodge in Uyo.
Mr. Ibrahim and his colleagues were invited by the governor’s media office to cover the event, and it is not clear why the reporter was singled out for harassment.
Multiple sources at the venue told PREMIUM TIMES that while some of the security details rapidly boxed, kicked and slapped the reporter, others repeatedly hit him with batons and guns.
Even when the spokesperson for Governor Akpabio, Anietie Ukpe, rushed out to intervene, the overzealous security details ignored him as they continue to smash Mr Ibrahym.
His colleagues and some guests, who tried to intervene, were warned to stay away or risk being beaten too.
“They did not stop beating him until he collapsed,” one of our sources said.
After he became unconscious, the operatives left him. His colleagues quickly rushed him to an unknown hospital in Uyo.
Mr. Ibrahym’s condition is unknown at this time.
One of our sources, a key staff at the Government House, said few minutes after the incident, the Akwa Ibom State director of the SSS, Toma Minti, rushed to the scene, begging journalists to forgive his men as he would investigate the matter.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor and his spokesperson are yet to comment on the incident.
Messrs Ukpe and Minti could not be reached for comments at this time.
PREMIUM TIMES learnt security operatives attached to the governor are in the habit of harrassing journalists covering Mr. Akpabio.
During the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Uyo a few months ago, the same team assaulted journalists causing the Akwa Ibom Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to threaten a boycott of government activities.
Mr. Akpabio, who is spending several millions of state funds to celebrate his 50th birthday, is not known to have ever called his rude security details to order.
Today’s party is being attended by top members of the Peoples Democratic Party, Governors Theodore Orji of Abia, Rochas Okorochas of Imo, Idris Wada of Kogi, Peter Obi of Anambra.
More governors and top government officials are being expected for a second day of celebration tomorrow.
South African leaders issued assurances about the health of former president Nelson Mandela on Sunday night after the 94 year-old was airlifted to hospital having reportedly stopped speaking amid a deterioration in his condition.
The Sunday Times, a South African newspaper, quoted an unnamed person close to the Mandela family as saying: “He has not been talking … he is not looking good. It’s clear that something is troubling him.”
Mr Mandela, the country’s first black president, spent a second day at the Pretoria hospital where he is said to be undergoing tests. On Saturday he was flown from his rural home in the Eastern Cape to the capital Pretoria to receive medical attention.
President Jacob Zuma visited Mr Mandela, whose health has been frail in recent years, and “found him comfortable, and in good care,” a statement said.
No details have been released about the specific reason for Mr Mandela’s admission to hospital, or when he will be discharged.
Mac Maharaj, a spokesman for Mr Zuma, on Saturday said the anti-apartheid icon was “doing well”.
Mr Mandela, affectionately known in South Africa as “Madiba,” his Xhosa clan name, “will receive medical attention from time to time which is consistent with his age,” a statement on Saturday said.
Former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and daughter Zindzi seemed to not view it as an emergency, or else were unaware that Mr Mandela had been transferred to Pretoria. They attended a football match in Soweto between the Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, local media reported.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions, allied with the ruling African National Congress party, responded in a statement: “We hope that it is true – as reported by the presidential spokesperson – there is no cause for concern or alarm.”
Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe had been scheduled to visit Mr Mandela in Qunu on Friday, but the meeting was cancelled.
A South African military plane crashed Wednesday after disappearing en route from a Pretoria air base to Mthatha, the nearest airport to Mr Mandela’s home in Qunu village.
There have been persistent rumours that the aircraft was carrying medical personnel or medical supplies for Mr Mandela.
Mr Mandela was last hospitalised in February for what was described as “routine tests,” and later turned out to have been a minor surgical procedure to determine the cause of abdominal pain.
His last public appearance was at the final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which South Africa hosted, where he toured the stadium on a golf cart with third wife Graca Machel.
Boko Haram, How are you. I know you are listening because very many in your ranks are highly educated and intelligent. I mean the Pro-Sharia Boko Haram and the Al-Qaeda Boko Haram. The PDP Boko Haram will wait for another day. I am constrained to speak to you as a Nigerian, from the South East, a Christian and Clergy.
Every problem on this earth is resolvable if the parties are ready to be reasonable and your grievances cannot be an exception. The wastage of lives occasioned by the Nigerian civil war would have been avoided if reason was preferred to conflicts. Nigeria is still suffering the consequences of that bloodshed till today. I know that you originated as a peaceful sect, practicing your religious ideology in relative peace and obscurity.
I know that your frustrations with the system then were ideological- you abhor western education and its effect on the tenets of Islam. Your frustration was that your elites were using the benefits of western education to perpetually turn the rest of your people into slaves. I know that it was a former governor who lured you out of your peaceful co-existence, armed you and used you to subdue his political opponents. This governor promised you incorporation in his government and armed you to fight political battles. This same man used you to checkmate the ruling party and abandoned you after you secured electoral victory for him. Out of anger and bitterness you decided to react against the state and later the security apparatus and innocent people.
Boko Haram , you have killed enough. The whole world has heard your grievances-that western education is sin, but they do not know how you came about the conclusions. The level of poverty, disease, illiteracy and underdevelopment in the north was your initial reason for accusing your leaders of using the privileges of western education to oppress the rest. Therefore you formed the erroneous impression that once a section of the north is Islamized every socio-economic problem would be over.
Boko Haram, I would like you to know that western education is not evil . The rapid development of the southern parts of the country is due to the embrace the people gave to western education and ideals. The underdevelopment of your region is because your elites used the benefits and privileges of western education to exploit and oppress your people. Countries like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iran, Malaysia., Turkey, and Egypt among numerous others are Muslim nations who converted the benefits of western education to high standards of living. Therefore if it failed in the north of Nigeria then the problem is not western education but your elites. Your northern elites control the oil industry, oil block industry and bunkering industry in Nigeria. This industry nets above $10 billion dollars annually yet they cannot invest their lion share on your people.
Your problem is not the defenseless Christian, neither is your problem the Southerner. Your problem is equally not fellow Muslim who is yet to accept the extremism of your beliefs. Boko Haram, you are fighting the wrong battle. You are not fighting those responsible for your problem. You are fighting innocent Nigerians already under the yoke of poverty, diseases, insecurity and hopelessness. Boko Haram, spare the Nigerian masses the bombings, killings and atrocities.
Drums of war are already beating. Ethnic nationalities are already gearing for confrontations if the situation persists. MEND, MASSOB, OPC and even Christian Association of Nigeria are eagerly awaiting the reactions of the government of the day before they decide on the next line of actions in consultations with their ethnic leaders. They are no more willing to allow their people or religious faithful to be slaughtered under any excuse. In the event of full blown confrontation you cannot predict the outcome and you cannot predict the extent of damage. I have been in touch with different groups restless at the developing mayhem and nobody is smiling. If the killings do not stop, people will bypass this Federal Government and take actions to protect their people. Nobody has monopoly of arms and even I will not hesitate to carry arms to defend my own people.
Christians and Southerners have refused to engage in reprisal attacks in order not to follow a mad man to dance naked on the streets. However strategies for counter attacks have been drawn and when it starts even the most indifferent will be forced to participate.
Boko Haram, are you still sure that Allah asked you to kill innocent people. The leader of the Islamic community in Nigeria, Sultan Abubakar Saad has already denounced your excesses as unislamic. The Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero wept at the atrocities you committed in Kano. The Muslim Ulamas have denounced your excesses as anti-Quran. Your battles have lost both followership and focus. Everybody is now your enemy, Christian, Southerner and Conservative Muslim. You now kill anybody, including children even in the market places.
Boko Haram, just as I predicted in earlier piece ‘Nigerian Politicians, Thuggery and Boko Haram’, you have now veered into armed robbery as means of executing Jihad. Soon kidnapping and pipeline vandalizations will follow. These are the consequences of uncontrolled arms in the hand of unregimented people. These are not the ideals of Alhaji Yusuf., your late leader. You now discriminate between Kogi Boko Haram, Kanuri Boko Haram and Hausa Fulani Boko Haram. The discrimination you once condemned as the Nigerian problem has crept into your organization
Boko Haram , I want to tell you that your leaders will soon be betrayed by your PDP sponsors. Once President Goodluck makes some political concessions to these PDP party men, they will sell you and reveal all your hiding places and you will be left alone. They were never interested in your Shari a, they just used you to checkmate President Goodluck. The best time to call off all these hostilities is now.
I therefore advise you to accept the federal government olive branch before it is too late. Appoint opinion leaders from the north who will seek peace with the Nigerian State on your behalf. Let their demands include;
(1) Amnesty after proper reorientation and psychological reconstruction of your detained members to avoid future acts inimical to the Nigerian State.
(2) Assisting your members with vocational and professional trainings so that they can be useful to the society
(3) Massive investment in education and literacy in the north by a three tier collaborative efforts of federal, state and local governments in the affected states.
(4) Trial of former public office holders in your region especially who embezzled funds meant for the development of the region and retrieving of the stolen funds for the development of the region.
(5) Entrenchment of proper electoral integrity to ensure that politicians in your region do not hoist unpopular candidates on the masses.
On your part you have to accept a cessation of all violent activities and liaise with sincere northern leaders to draw a roadmap for the rapid development of the region. A word is enough for the wise.
Two Iranian warships docked in Port Sudan on Saturday, a witness said, marking the second port call by the Iranian navy in Sudan in five weeks.
The Iranian navy said the 1,400 ton frigate Jamaran and the 4,700 ton support ship Bushehr “docked in Port Sudan, after successfully carrying out their assignments in the Red Sea and were greeted by high-ranking Sudanese naval commanders.”
It did not say how long the warships would stay in port.
Khartoum said it was a “normal” port call but Israeli officials have expressed concern about arms smuggling through Sudan.
They have long accused the African country of serving as a base of support for militants from the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which rules the Gaza Strip.
Sudanese army spokesman Sawarmi Khaled Saad had initially announced the warship visit for November 30.
“It is part of diplomatic and military exchanges between the two countries,” and will last for three days, he told reporters on Friday night.
A pair of Iranian navy vessels, the supply ship Kharg and corvette Admiral Naghdi, spent about two days at Port Sudan in late October.
The port call was accompanied by Sudanese press criticism of Saudi Arabia which lies across the Red Sea and has had tense relations with Iran for years.
Sudan’s links with Iran have come under scrutiny after Khartoum accused Israel of an October 23 strike against the Yarmouk military factory in the capital, which led to speculation that Iranian weapons were stored or manufactured there.
Israel refused all comment on Sudan’s accusation about the factory blast.
But a top Israeli defence official, Amos Gilad, said Sudan “serves as a route for the transfer, via Egyptian territory, of Iranian weapons to Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists.”
Eight days of fighting between Israel and Hamas ended on November 21 with an Egyptian-mediated truce after 174 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed.
The Jewish state has accused Iran of supplying Hamas with its Fajr 5 missile, used to target Tel Aviv during the conflict.
Khartoum said Israel was spreading “fabricated information” about links between the Yarmouk military factory, Hamas and Iran.
Sudan’s foreign ministry denied Iran had any involvement in the plant.
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Ali Karti said Sudan welcomes the navies of any country, “except Israel.”
A Pakistani frigate visited Port Sudan in late November.
The last of the bomb blast that struck the military base at Jaji may have not been heard. This is as reports reaching 247ureports.com indicate that the Southern Kaduna Indigenes Progressive Forum [SKIPFO] lambasted the Islamic based group, Jama’atu Nasril Islam [JNI] over their accusation of the Nigeria Army authority of religious bias – over its removal of Air Vice – Marshal Abdukadir Kure as Commandant of Armed Forces Command and Staff College [AFCSC] and Maj Gen Mohammed Danhane Isa as Commander Infantry Corps Jaji, – following the embarrassing suicide attack on a church inside the military barrack – that killed 15 worshipers.
In a press statement released by the chairperson of the group, Major George Asake [rtd], stated that “SKIPFO is miffed by the unguarded and inflammatory statement made by Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu on behalf JNI to the effect that the redeployment from command of both Air Vice – Marshal Kure and Maj Gen Isa as Commander Infantry Corps both located in Jaji Kaduna is tinged with religious bias.
“We have followed with keen interest the several statements that have continuously been flowing from the JNI, signed by their Secretary General Dr Khalid Aliyu, since the advent of the Boko Haram scourge which has become a national disgrace and nightmare.
“ While the JNI and Islamic leaders have consistently denied Boko Haram’s activities as Islamic, they have all the same always come out firing from all cylinders at every individual or group who calls for the declaration of Boko Haram as a terrorist group. And now it is the turn of the JNI to even go further and impugned that the military which is one of the few institution (if not the only institution) in the country that still maintains a semblance of credibility and religious balance and harmony. Where was Dr Khalid Aliyu and his JNI when : –
“Two detained Boko Haram terrorists under tight military custody in Shadawanka Barracks Bauchi were allowed to escape by a Muslim soldier under the command of Brig Gen ML Raji who is a known fanatical Muslim, yet the Christians never raised any dust on religious bias but allowed the military to handle the case through Military Court Martial where the senior officer and other culprits got fair treatment and justice?
“When Boko Haram attacked the Headquarters of 1 Mechanised Division under the command of Maj Gen Joseph Shoboiki as General Officer Commanding ( GOC ) and a Christian, the Army authority under Lt Gen Ihejerika as Chief of Army Staff and a Christian too, promptly redeployed Gen Shoboiki to Defence Headquarters as a Director and replaced him with Maj General Garba Ayodeji Wahab, a Muslim far junior to the former. Neither CAN nor Christians protested.
“It will interest the JNI and their mouthpiece Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu to know that the present COAS and the Chief of Air Staff ( CAS ) are all Christians and this is besides the President , Commander in Chief ( C- I- C ) of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan who is also a Christian. Yet, they posted the GOC I Mechanised Division Kaduna, Air Officer Commanding (AOC ) Nigerian Airforce Training Command Kaduna , Commandant AFCSC Jaji, Corps Commander Infantry Jaji, Commandant Depot NA Zaria all Muslims without a whimper from any Christian quarters. This is because Christians believe that these gentlemen officers though Muslims will be true to their oath and allegiance to their fatherland besides living up to the expectations of the tenets of their faith.
“Despite the atrocities and glaring bias of Maj Gen Saleh Maina as GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigerian Army and the outcry by all and sundry for his removal he was retained by Lt Gen AB Danbazzau in that capacity and the JNI saw nothing wrong in that. Many innocent lives of innocent and peace loving Christians were lost to the applause of JNI we suppose. We believe Gen Danbazzau was not taking dictation from outside why should it be otherwise now?
“ Quite contrary to whatever propaganda JNI might have been fed with, Maj Gen MD Isa most especially was the cantonment Commander in Jaji and the puerile and false allegation of bringing in Maj Gen KC Osuji as NASI Commandant, Maj Gen JS Zaruwa , the Peace Keeping Commandant and Brig Gen Ekagu the Commandant Warrant Officers Academy ( all are training institutions with NASI and WOs Academy under the same Maj Gen Isa ) as those not affected by the redeployment is a figment of the imagination of JNI and its collaborators. In fact, these training institutions have no troops under their command but the Infantry Corps Commander has a combat Infantry Battalion under him who serves as both a Demonstration unit also well as a feed mill to other military establishment under in Jaji..
“ The removal of the two Commandants is perfectly in order and in line with military tradition as allowing those senior officers to remain in their various offices might open the floodgate for unnecessary interference with investigations. Moreover, it is a known fact that Maj Gen MD Isa has completed the required 35 years of service since June 2011 , he has also overstayed his tour of duty of 2 years as Commander Infantry Corps. Infact, we have it on authority that both Christians and Muslims officers and soldiers of the Infantry Corps rolled out their drums in celebration of this long awaited removal – a clear sign of a bad Commander..
“Bringing in the case of non-removal of Gen MA Nasamu Commander Army Headquarters Garrison ( AHQ Gar ) over the Christmas eve Mogadishu cantonment’s Mammy market bombing of 24 th December, 2010 is myopic and lacks substance.
“This is because JNI never called for the removal of the Commanders of Shadawanka Barracks in Bauchi, Airforce Base Kaduna, over Boko Haram’s bombing there and, in fact IGP Hafiz Ringim over the bombing of the Police Force Headquarters on 16th June, 2011.
“ When twice dismissed CP Zakari Biu allowed Kabiru Sokoto to escape in Abaji , JNI was bitter over his dismissal but will recall that neither CAN nor any Christian protested based on religious ground. Rather, the law was allowed to take its due cause.
“ Finally, we are saddened by the gross disregard and insensitivity of JNI on the lives lost and those wounded and this is besides the destruction to property over the St Andrews Protestant church bombing carried out by misguided Muslims coming from the JNI ranks but clearly voiced out their preference for those two officers who are neither killed nor dismissed from service but redeployed from their former positions for dereliction of duty thereby causing loss of lives to innocent Christians who were worshiping their true living God in the Church. Admiral Saad Ola Ibrahim who is the Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS ) and a true Muslim announced these two officers removal and by implication, the JNI is telling the world that he is acting a Christian script and is therefore not a member of the Muslim fold?
“ SKIPFO would have stood and will stand by any Muslim (s) innocently killed by any Christian or group as our Christian faith abhors the shedding of innocent blood. Let us all know that we shall be accountable to God on judgment day and should therefore live above petty mindedness in the name of whatever religion”
At a time when the Will of the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, is generating controversy, a Portuguese pilot, who flew Biafran war planes during the civil war, has given insight into the air strikes that characterised the war.
According to Mr. Artur Alves, who interacted with Saturday Sun on the Internet, Biafran soldiers converted modified the B26 plane to suit their purpose during the war.
The war pilot, who is based abroad, spoke on this and others.
Could you tell us how you were contacted to work for Biafra?
After I ended my commission with the Portuguese Air Force I got a job working in Angola flying a Piper Aztec to a big coffee corporation and an ex-camaraderie and good friend Capt Gil Pinto de Sousa invited me to join and organise a squadron of Harvard T6G that we would have to fly into Biafra and operate in combat missions. Capt Pinto de Sousa was also an ex-Biafran Air Force pilot. He was contracted to fly a B25 Mitchel, which was destroyed in an accident in Port Harcourt. Landlocked from the early 1968, Biafra was fighting for their very existence, a fight against starvation and a well-armed enemy.
How did you fly the aircraft to Biafra and from where?
Due to diplomatic reasons, we had to dismount and mount again the aircraft in Bissau, Portuguese Guinea at the time. They went by ship and the Portuguese Air Force in Bissau did a great job mounting the aircraft very fast. We had six T6G ready and we were only three pilots. The flight from Bissau to Abidjan was also very complicated. The British Foreign Affairs had a long and powerful arm and convinced the Portuguese government not to authorise Portuguese pilots to fly the aircraft out of Bissau, but we were veterans of the air force and we had a plan. We convinced the Bissau Air Base Commander to let us rob the planes during the night and take them to Abidjan. That was what we did. The flight was in the limits and we carried also an extra tank in the back seat. The fuel smell was intense and I had no courage to light up a cigarette. We had to land before Abidjan in Sassandra, as was already fixed. We had no problems in Sassandra and we continued the flight to Abidjan.
In Bissau, one of the pilots decided not to continue and in Abidjan we had the same problem. But we welcome a new one, José Pignattely, also a veteran from the Portuguese Air Force. Gil Pinto de Sousa returned to Bissau and flew another plane to Abidjan. We had four planes in Abidjan and we were three pilots. Me, Gil and Pignattely. From Abidjan, we had the last leg to fly to Uli. We had decided to be airborne in order to land in Uli by dusk. During the inbound flight, Gil lost the radio and beacon system and in the dark he got lost and didn’t find the course to Uli and had to bailout in enemy territory. He was arrested for five years in Lagos. I landed in Uli and a little later Pignattely did the same. Next day, we took the planes to Uga, an airstrip in Akokwa.
How was it like being in Biafra at the time of the conflict?
I was living with Pignatettely and two Portuguese engineers, in a good house in Akokwa. We had a chef and a guard that was also the driver of our old Peugeot 403. Johny Chukwukadibie was the liaison officer with the headquarters. Everything was camouflaged and we had also a bunker to protect ourselves of the Nigerians air raids. The food had little variety, always chicken, cassava and sweet potatoes. Not bad, considering the situation.
How did you see the behaviour of the Igbo?
Well, on May the 30, 1967, was read the declaration for the creation of the Republic of Biafra. Due to the genocide murder of Eastern Nigerians, civilians, they had to seek a safe place to live; so, they declared independence. The civil war was declared by Nigeria and had the world powers, British and Russians on her side. Some say two million people, mostly Igbo lost their lives. Four countries recognised our independence and others, like Portugal and France, had a very important role in supporting Biafra.
Do you think the Declaration of a sovereign state of Biafra by Ojukwu needful at the time?
Well, I was saying, two million people, mostly Igbo, lost their lives. The world recoiled in horror as images reached news network. It was genocide, no more no less, genocide. For me, Emeka Ojukwu was a legendary freedom fighter. He did the right thing. With very little outside support the Biafrans put up a fierce resistance that lasted for 30 months before collapsing in January 10, 1970. I have with me the Ahiria declaration, still regarded by some as a possible blue print for every modern African country. He will never be forgotten; believe me.
Can you remember war songs that Biafrans soldiers sang to ginger themselves on?
I remember the songs, usually war songs. Near Christmas in 1969, I was only with one T6G operational; Pignatelly went to Abidjan to bring the other one we left there. Gen Godwin Ezeillo sent for me. Federal troops, more than one division and heavily armed, were about to cross the Imo River and Owerri will be in danger. We had to try to stop them. To attack a concentration of troops with a single airplane was not an easy task. I knew they were south of the river but not their exact position. I did the approach early in the morning leaving the River in my right wing, flying 500 feet above the ground and nobody opened fire against me. I made a large turn by the left, over flying our Army and made another approach to the river. This time, they started shooting from the south side of the river, thousand of tracers were flying in my direction, but now I knew where my target was. I just dive to the target, gaining speed. I heard some lucky shots hitting the airplane and as close as I was to the ground I was able to see trucks and armoured cars below the trees and plenty soldiers running around, looking for cover. I fired every thing I had and escape at a very low altitude to our side, that I overflew again, waving good-bye to our Army.
In the other day, lunch time, Johny Chukwukadibie came to my place with a young Captain that was in the frontline during the attack at the Imo River. He said the attack was terrific and a success. They heard the federal troops weeping a lot on the radio. Next day, we went with him to frontline to cheer up his men. It was here, near the enemy line, in the Imo River that I heard war songs from the Biafran soldiers.
What about the Port Harcourt attack in 1969?
I still remember this very well. It was my 5th mission and we had been expecting anxiously information that MIGs landed and parked in Port Harcourt. I was with Pignattely flying the T6s. We got the order in the afternoon before and at sun rise the airplanes were fully armed with the usual four machine guns and 12, 68mm rockets. There was some light fog touching the ground when we were airborne. There were no reports of MIGs in the air. We knew that we were going to face the strongest anti-aircraft fire, south of Ecuador. The surprise factor was essential and will be a hit and run attack. We only could afford one pass. I was flying a little higher than Pignattely that was at treetop level. Flying higher, I was safer from the light machine guns because my plane was far and more difficult to be hit. I had better visibility ahead and I was able to gain speed during the dive to the target. This was the strategy used by us before.
Port Harcourt was very close and we were approaching the air base with the very shy sun in our back. I saw the huge runway, four MIGs in the parking area, the terminal, hangars, control tower and another plane also parked near the terminal. I shouted to Pignattely, ‘MIGs in the tarmac’ and I started the diving to the target. At this time, tracers and explosions were every where. By instinct, I curled up inside the cockpit, full boost in the engine, nose down gaining speed, MIGs well centred, wings levelled and I start firing the rockets and machine guns burst at the same time. I was seeing my rockets hit around the parked MIGs. It seems nothing was happening and suddenly flames and black smoke erupted from the aircraft. I made the flight straight ahead to the sea, took a better sitting position, reduced the boost of the aircraft and looked back to Port Harcourt and behind me trying to spot Pignatelly. Port Harcourt was on fire and smoke and the Pignatelly T6 was surrounded by anti-aircraft explosions. I thought to my self he was in deep trouble. It was time to relax and return. I did a long turn by sea, eyes wide open looking for MIGs in the sky; did the course inbound by the Niger Delta, followed the river for a while ad landed in Uga. Pignattely airplane was already landed and camouflaged. Result, three MIGs destroyed, a four-engine aircraft also damaged, including fuel station, terminal building and control tower.
Two or three months ago, I received via Facebook a very interesting article from a veteran Russian pilot in Afghanistan. The article was from a Veteran Russia Air Force Magazine and was about the MIG17 in the Nigeria-Biafra war. These MIG17 in Port Harcourt were flown by British pilots and confirmed the destruction of two and severely damaged of other one. The fourth in line was not a MIG-17 but a Ylushin that was also hit. They decided to paint the MIGs in camouflaged colours and build defensive rackets to protect the planes on ground. There is also a book named Shadows, by Michel I. Drapper, with very interesting articles, real ones, about the air war and airlift in Biafra from 1967/1970.
What does a Biafran airstrip look like and what were the dangers of flying?
The Biafran airstrips were not new to me. Comparing with the Minicons I needed more length for take off and land with the T6Gs. Uga was an ex-asphalt road in pretty good conditions. We had lights, goose necks, for landing at night. We also had a bush in the top of the runway, where we hide the planes. The danger of flying was like David against Golias. The planes were old but well restored to flight conditions. We made the test-flights in Portugal and later in Bissau. We all had large experience in Africa and the big problem were the radio and navigation aids, starting with a simple compass. When we started the operations, our primary targets were federal troop concentration in the northern front, north of Onitsha road and the southern front, south of Owerri and in support of Biafran Army. Air bases and oil installations also become the focus of several attacks. But we were always expecting information from our Army Intelligence in order to know for sure where the MIG17 were. We could reach them in Port Harcourt, Benin and Enugu. Lagos was out of range and also Kano.
When did you leave Biafra and how?
Gen Godwin Ezeillo visited me after lunch time in January 8, 1970 and very quietly announced the imminent departure of our Biafran leader and said that was the right time for me to leave Biafra as well. There was a government flight to Sao Tome at night and a place for me was arranged. I was at the time with the other Igbo pilots and we tried to reach Uli but gave up. The road was so overcrowded that we decided to turn back and prepare the only operational T6 to escape early in the morning to Libreville. I had the black seat available and the other pilots decided that Larry Obiechi was the guy to escape with me. Larry was not Igbo, so they decided it was not safe for him to stay. The others were willing to remain inside Biafra and take a chance on being captured by federal forces. We were airborne very early with the tanks full. We made a fantastic flight to Libreville, Gabon, keeping the shoreline always in sight. After we landed in Libreville, we were very welcomed, but I had with me a very dip sense of loss.
What do you think of Nigeria today?
Living outside I’m used only to bad news from Nigeria, about old politicians and corruption. They must bury their heads in shame and allow the younger generation to take the driver’s seat. For example: they created Boko Haram and now the same people want to sit down and found solutions to the problem. Who gives a damn for what they think? They should quietly retire to their homes and wait for their turn to die giving a chance to a younger generation to take the leadership. I would love to have written something like this, but I didn’t. I want to live to hug all my mates in Biafra Air Force wishing they are in good health and I pray to God to take care of them. Rest in peace Ibi Brown and Alex Agbafuna, killed in combat fighting for his people. Thanks Gil Pinto de Sousa for the five years you gave, for supporting a cause in which you believe. My thanks to Sammy, Willy Bruce, August Opke and Larry Obiechi for the support you gave me in the last days of our dream.
During the Nigerian war, there was the feat of converting the B26 aircraft into a fighter jet or bomber. Were you part of this feat?
I did not fly the B26
How were you able to manipulate the aircraft, knowing that it wasn’t originally meant for what it was converted to?
In October 1967, we had two B25 Mitchel in Port Harcourt and both were effectively lost during one night sortie some two months later. The B26 started service at the end of June 1967 and was in Enugu for repainting, in camouflage colours. The Biafran national flag was on both sides of the rudder. At the same time of repainting our mechanics began to install rather crude weapons. They modified the nose cone of the aircraft and mounted a single tripod-mounted machine gun inside. The gun was never linked to the electrical wiring system and was operated blindly by the pilot and the gunner.
We operated it thus: One tug meant start fire. Two tugs meant stop. Another gun was fitted to the rear of the bomb bay, which fired downwards through open bay-bomb doors.
What was your relationship with air force officers, like Gibson Nwosu and the late Chudi Sokei?
I only remember Gen Godwin Ezeilo, my Biafran Air Force Commander. After the war, he was with Capt Manuel Reis, Biafran Airlift Capt in Angola. We have been together a few times.
The prevailing peace in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University is currently being threatened by the preparations ahead the Students Union Government (SUG) election scheduled for Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012.
But the Vice Chancellor, Prof Boniface Egboka has urged the students to calm down, eschew violence, embrace peace and close ranks in the interest of the general progress and development of the university.
He also washed his hands off whatever that was going on in the campaigns, screenings and the election itself, noting that he has remained an apostle of democracy and its principles in every aspect of the university administration and human relationship.
A section of the students under the aegis of The Concerned Students of UNIZIK led by one Emmanuel Chidebe had written a petition, copy of which was made available to journalists, alleging that one of the favorite candidates for the students union presidency, Mr Christian Bond Osadebe, a 300 Level student of Civil Engineering was surreptitiously disqualified to pave way for another who was said to have been more favored by the university’s management.
It was also alleged that ahead of the screening of the candidates on Dec 5, 2012 by the Security Dept of the university, that Osadebe was abducted to far location outside the university neighbourhood by unknown persons apparently to pave way for the other less fancied candidates.
When news of his abduction spread, the screening was put on hold and on his release hey was screened and disqualified. This incensed other students who threatened to go un violent demonstration immediately. The concerned students saw his travails as barefaced intimidation, arm-twisting and unprovoked harassment aimed at paving way for his less-fancied opponent to coast home to an undeserved victory.
It took the intervention of a former Director of Socials/Welfare of the SUG, Mr Kpakpando Nwazota to calm the situation down. The students had insisted that it was injustice to disqualify “the most qualified candidate without any cogent reason”. They therefore appealed to all stakeholders, including the Vice chancellor, the Governing Council, Minister of Education, the presidency and rights groups to intervene in the matter before it snowballs out of proportion.
When contacted, Osadebe said he only wants justice and fairness to be allowed to prevail. He urged the authorities to give him and other interested candidates a level playground for the election, pledging to give maximum cooperation to whoever defeats him.
It could be remembered that Senator Uche Chukwumerije commended the VC for transparency and democratic principles in his administration, when the senate committee on education visited the university recently.
