Significant Events in Biafra and Nigeria

This Writing on Nigeria and Biafra serves as Record of the Significant / Historical Events that took place in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the now defunct State of Biafra, starting from 1967. These Events are intended to serve as an information to the new Generation of Nigerians and Historians on what Impact, the Military Interventions in Politics and in Government can be in Nation State Building. Here Nation State refers to a Federation of two or more ethnic Nationalities or Nations. Nigeria is a Nation State of over 120 different and distinct ethnic Nationalities. The Nigeria – Biafra Civil War has a lot to teach the World on what is required to build True and Sustainable Federations. Nigeria’s Experience is most and instructive in this direction. The “Aburi Accord” reached in Ghana by Nigeria’s Military / Political Leadership is treated as the first significant Event, because it is believed that if the Accord had been implemented, the Nigeria- Biafra Civil War could have been avoided.

EVENT A: The ABURI ACCORD at “Lodge Perduase”, Ghana, 4-8 January 1967:

Following the deteriorating Military / Political Situation in Nigeria, after the two military insurrections of January 15, 1966 and July 29, 1966, the Military Head of State of the Republic of Ghana, General Ankra, attempted a Mediation for resolving the Conflicts between Nigeria’s Military / Political Actors. To this end, General Ankra called a Meeting of Nigeria’s Military Leaders at a neutral Venue in Ghana, namely Lodge Perduase, Ghana. The Head of State of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon led the bulk of Nigeria’s Federal / Regional Delegations, while Col Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, led the Delegation of the Eastern Nigeria Regional Government, respectively. After the Aburi Ghana Mediation Conference, the Eastern Nigeria Regional Government Delegation reported that the following unanimous Agreements, later known as ABURI ACCORD, were reached, namely,    

• “there should be a Return to the Nigeria’s four Regional Autonomy Federation,
• “a Decree or Law should be promulgated to return Nigeria to the four Regional Government Autonomy Federation, as it was, prior to January 15, 1966 / July 29, 1966,
• “There should be immediate Restoration of the Political Authority to the four Federating Regional Governments, as existed before 1966 Military Insurrections in Nigeria,     
• “there should be Dialogue among the Military Leaders in resolving their Differences, and
• “That the Nigeria’s Military Command should be reorganized into Commands with defined Boundaries, for the discharge of Military operational responsibilities, with deployment of Troops largely to their Regions of Origin.  

It is reported that on Return to Nigeria, the Federal Delegation / their Regional Northern, Western and Mid-Western counter parts respectively refused to implement the Ghana Accord and that Refusal led to the Nigerian- Civil War of 1967-1970.     

EVENT B: Declaration of the Eastern Region of Nigeria as an Independent “Republic of Biafra”, May 30, 1967:
The Failure of General Yakubu Gowon Federal Military Administration to implement the ABURI ACCORD, reached unanimously, under the Chairmanship of General Ankra, the Military Head of State of Ghana, led to the Nigeria- Biafra Civil War, which began on May 30 , 1967. This Failure to implement the Accord reached in Ghana, led the Military Head of the Eastern Nigeria Regional Government, Col Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, to declare Eastern Region of Nigeria as an Independent Nation and named it,  “The Republic of Biafra”.

EVENT C: The Arbitrary Splitting of Nigeria from 4 States Federation to 12 States Federation:
In a Reaction to Col Ojukwu’s Action, the Head of State of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon, arbitrarily without due Consultation, split the Four (4) Federating Regions, namely, the Northern Region of Nigeria, the Western Region of Nigeria,  the Eastern region of Nigeria, and the Mid- Western Region of Nigeria, respectively into twelve (12) States Federation of Nigeria, namely,

• North Eastern State, Kano State, Kaduna State, North Western State, Benue-Plateau State, and Kwara State, from the Northern Region of Nigeria,
• Western State and Lagos State from the Western Region of Nigeria
• Mid -Western State (now Edo and Delta States), and
• East Central State, (ECS) (mainly Igbos) , South Eastern State, (SES) (now Cross River State, and  Akwaibon (now Ibibio and Anang) State, and Rivers State (now Rivers state and Bayelsa State) respectively. 

Reacting to the above 12 (twelve) States creation, the Igbo ethnic Nationality of Nigeria, believed that it was a Design by the Federal Military Government to isolate the Majority Population NdiIgbo ethnic Nationality from the Population Minority ethnic Nationalities of Efik, Ogoja, Ibibio, Anang, Ijaw, Ogoni, among others,  seen by these Minority Populations as a Rescue Mission from NdIgbo ethnic Nationality dominated  Eastern Nigeria Regional Government Administration and to reduce the Power / Influence  of Col Emeka  Odumegwu Ojukwu’ NdiIgbo- led Eastern Region of Nigeria from the Governance of Nigeria as it was from 1952-1966, Practically from 1952-1966, there was no love lost between NdiIgbo ethnic Nationality and the rest of smaller population ethnic Nationalities comprised in Eastern Region of Nigeria. Please see Willinks Colonial Report of 1958, dealing with the complaints of Minorities comprised in Eastern Region of Nigeria for more infprmation. That is why, the Minorities comprised in Eastern Region of Nigeria, whole heartedly welcomed the General Gowon FMG creation of the SES and RS, respectively. In return these two States fought on the Side of FMG, leaving the Igbo “Republic of Biafra”, then confined to East Central State (ECS), to carry alone the Cross of the Civil War.        

EVENT D: The Blockade of the Republic of Biafra from Outside World:

On June 3, 1967, the Federal Military Government of Nigeria successfully blockaded the new “Republic of Biafra”, then confined to East Central State (ECS), by Land, Sea and Air, using British Hunter Jets and Russian MiG 15 Jet Fighters, respectively to police the ECS Air Space. From the Sea, Biafra was fully encircled by Nigerian Naval Ships from Warri, Calabar, Port Harcourt to the Lagos Sea Ports. The Mid West and the Benue State Land Boundaries with the new State of the “Republic of Biafra” completed the land Blockade by the Nigerian Army.  To cap the full Isolation of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria, the new Head of State of Biafra, Col Chukwuemeka Ojukwu was summarily dismissed from the Nigeria Army.

EVENT E: The Emergence of Science and Technology (S&T) Group in the Republic of Biafra, July 1967:

The Science and Technology (S&T) Group, which was later in January 1968, renamed Research and Production (RAP) emerged to rescue the “Republic of Biafra “from its total Blockade from the outside World. The Scientists, Engineers, Technologists and Technicians, who found themselves in the new Republic of Biafra, met in a general Conference  at the Institute of Agricultural Scientific Research (IASR), Station, Umudike, Umuahia on 23 December 1967, to determine what to do to assist the new Republic of Biafra in its predicament / vicious War with Nigeria.. The Conference was coordinated / chaired by Col Ebenezer O. Aghanya, an Electrical Engineer of Nigerian Army, but from May 1967 of Biafran Army. That Conference made the following important / critical Appointments for the prosecution of the War to the Leadership Positions of Research and Production (RAP) Organization, namely,

• Col Ebenezar O. Aghanya, an Engineer of the Nigerian Army (but from 1967, of Biafra Army) to serve as Military Liaison Officer between the Military Government of Biafra and the RAP Group,
• Ben C. E. Nwosu, a Physicist / Lecturer, Grade One, at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to serve a Civilian Liaison Officer between RAP and the Military Government of Biafra,
• Gordian O. Ezekwe , a Mechanical Engineer / Senior Lecturer at UNN to serve as Head,  / Team Leader of Mechanical Engineering related RAP Projects (LD2) / Deputy Liaison Officer with Military Government of Biafra,
• William O. Achukwu, Chief Agricultural Mechanization Technologist of Eastern Nigeria Regional Government (ENRG), to serve as Head / Team Leader of Engineers / Technologists dealing with the Tasks of designing and fabrication of Bomb Casings, Grenades casting and conversion through Technology Innovation of ordinary Vehicles into Armored Vehicles.   
• Felix N.C. Oragwu, a Physicist / Lecturer Grade One at UNN who was to serve as Head of Research and Technology Development (R@D) Planning Division / Coordinator of the Technological Services of RAP / Coordinator of the Scientific Advisory Services to Biafra Military Brigades  / Leader at the Headquarters of RAP,
• James. O. C. Ezeilo, Professor / Head of the Department of Mathematics at UNN to serve as Team Leader in finding Solutions to Mathematical Problems encountered by the RAP Group,
• Ebenezar, O. Ekechukwu, a Chief Chemist of Eastern Regional Government of Nigeria (ENRG), to serve as Head / Team Leader of Organic Chemistry related Problems of RAP Group,
• Chimere Ikoku, a Chemist / Lecturer Grade One at UNN to serve as Head /Team Leader of Physical Chemistry related Problems of RAP Group,
• Alphonsus N. Njoku -Obi, a Medical / Micro-Biologist / Associate Professor at UNN, to serve as Head /Team Leader of Vaccines / Drugs Production / related Problems of RAP Group,
• Hilary Ik. Ozigbu, Chief Petroleum Engineer of Shell BP to serve as Head / Team Leader of Bombs / Mortar Casings Production problems of RAP, Group / related projects (LD3),
• Mark O. Chijioke, Electrical / Electronics Engineer/ Associate Professor at UNN to serve as Head / Team Leader of Electrical / Electronic engineering related Projects of the RAP Group,
• Udemezue O. Atuanya, the first Nigerian Chief Civil Engineer of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Lagos  and the first African to design / supervise in the 1950s, the Road later named Harbert Macaulay Road in Lagos, to serve as Head / Team Leader of Roads, Airport Run- Ways and Air-Ports Construction and related Projects in Biafra,
• Jim I. J Ordor, the first Nigerian Manager of Shell BP Refinery in Port Harcourt, to serve as Head /Team Leader, of Petroleum Refining Problems / related Activities in Biafra, and
• Bede N. Okigbo, Associate Professor of Plant / Soil Science at UNN, to serve as Head / Team Leader / a leading Nigeria’s Expert on Plant and Soil Science, who pioneered  massive production of the Basic Agricultural Food Commodities and Renowned Fighter of Kwashiokor food deficiency Diseases and related Infant mortality food problems in Biafra, under the Slogan “Feed the Starving Biafrans”.

The above Great Men / Women of S&T/RAP rescued the Republic of Biafra from immediate defeat during the Nigeria- Biafra Civil War, 1967-1970.  For more Information on these “Great Men / Women of RAP”, please find time to read the following Chapters I, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII, respectively, of the Book, by Felix N. C. Oragwu, Head of R&D Planning Division / Coordinator of Technological Services in Biafra), titled,  “Scientific and Technological Innovations in Biafra: The Ogbunigwe Fame, 1967-1970”, Second Edition, 2017.  

EVENT F: The Establishment of RAP Scientific Advisory Services to Military Formations in Biafra. 1968-1970:

In order to “sell” S&T / RAP Group  Weapons to the Military Command which as Nigeria Army was used to elegant imported Military hardware and to build their Confidence on the Safety / Reliability of RAP Weapons, it became necessary to set up RAP Advisory Services to Biafra Military Formations.
The Table below indicates the Scope of the RAP Scientific and Technological Services during the period of the War 1967-1970.

Distribution of RAP Scientific Advisers to Biafra Military Formations, 1968 – 1970:

Name of Scientist involved	Advisory Services Placing	Military Location
Ben C. E. Nwosu, Head of RAP Military / Government Liaison Services	Occasional Advisory visits only	Defense Headquarters under General Phillip Effiong
Felix N. C. Oragwu, Head of R@D Planning Division of RAP / Coordinator of Technology Services	Occasional Advisory visits only	Army Headquarters under General Alexander Madiebo
Agu U. Ogan, Biochemist/ Senior Lecturer, UNN	Permanent Scientific Attaché	Brigade under Col. Uwakwe
Orji Okereke, Physicist/ Senior Research Officer, ENRG, Enugu	Permanent Scientific Attaché	Brigade under Col. Ogbugo Kalu
Basil Oli, Physicist/ Principal High School, Oba	Permanent Scientific Attaché	Brigade under Col. Patrick Amadi
Mang E. Obasi, Pharmacist/ Lecturer, UNN	Permanent Scientific Attaché	Brigade under Col. Tony Eze
B.J. Obiora Okafor, Senior Geophysicist, Geological Survey Kaduna	Permanent Scientific Attaché	Battalion under Col. Chris Ugokwe
Anthony U.  Nwokeji, Science Master, High School, Arondizuogu	Permanent Scientific Attaché	Battalion under Col. Emeka Omerua
P. A. C. Amaechi, Electrical / Electronics Engineer, from the Private Sector of the Economy	Permanent Scientific Attaché	Special Forces Battalion led by Army Col Timothy Onwuatuegwu

EVENT G: The “AHIARA DECLARATION” in Republic of Biafra, June 1969:

As the War went on, and to boost the morale of the Biafran Citizens, the Government of Biafra felt it was time to set out the Foreign and Domestic Policy Objectives of the new Nation of Biafra. So, in June 1969, the Head of State of Biafra, declared to the World the Foreign and Domestic Policy of the new State of Biafra in what has come to be known as “AHIARA DECLARATION”. In that Declaration the Head of State of Biafra, Col Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, stated following Principles, Policies and Purposes on which the new “State of Biafra” is founded, namely (1) The Foreign Policy of non-Alignment, neither with the Western European Capitalist Democracy led by the USA nor the Socialist Democracy of Eastern Europe led by the USSR, (ii) Total Commitment to Decolonization of African Continent,  (iii) Total Commitment to African Economic Integration and (iv) Total Commitment to Education, Science, and Technology Activities to serve not just as an instrument for knowledge acquisition but also more importantly as an Instrument for Wealth Creation, Poverty Reduction, and domestic Capacity for the production / manufacture of modern Technologies of production and services in the Economy and total Commitment to domestic Capacity building for the production / manufacture of globally competitive industrial Goods (Capital,  consumer Items and Industrial Materials in Biafra Economy both for domestic Use and for Export to the global World Market to address import of foreign goods dependence.
It is believed by foreign Observers that the above Revolutionary Policies and Principles of the new “State of Biafra” might have frightened both the Western World led by USA and Eastern World led by USSR Economic Interests in Africa. It is therefore believed that that could have explained why both Britain and USSR, the two diametrical ideologically opposed Nations, were seen working  together in concert in support of Nigeria and in Military / technical Support / assistance to Nigeria against the new “State of Biafra”.
For information, the following Committee, led by Chinua Achebe, the internationally acknowledged Novelist of “Things Fall Apart”, was given the Responsibility to elaborate and publish this AHIARA DECLARATION in a Document form for distribution to the World of Nations. This Document may be found in Nigeria’s Archives. The Committee consists of the following prominent Nigerian/ Biafran intellectuals, namely,

1. Chinua Achebe, Chairman,
2. Eyo Bassey Ndem
3. C.C. Chieka Ifemesia,
4. Ikenna Nzimiro,
5. Ifeagwu U. Eke,
6. Justice Anthony Aniagolu, and
7. Emmanuel Obiechina, Member / Secretary.

EVENT H: Subsequent Significant Developments in Nigeria since Biafra Surrender to FMG in 1970:
Let me start with the Surrender Activities in January 10, 1970. The last Meeting of the Biafra Military Leaders took place on 09-01-1970, at Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, in Imo State. The Solemn Ceremony to discuss Biafra Surrender to the FMG was held under the Chairmanship of General Phillip Effiong, the Chief of Defense Staff of Biafra Armed Forces. This Event took place in the absence of just not the Head of State of Biafra, General Ojukwu, but also the Chief of Army Staff, General Alex Maduebo. The Military Officers present were Brigade Commanders of the Biafra Army, namely, Col Uwakwe, Col Patrick Amadi, Col Ogbugo Kalu, and Col Tony Eze, all leading Commanders of the various Brigades of Biafra Army, all wearing sad / solemn Looks.

 Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, now in Imo State, was also housing the last location of the RAP Laboratory Workshop / RAP Headquarters which were moved to the College by RAP Leadership when the Military Situation began to deteriorate. My Colleague / Friend, Chimere Ikoku, later VC of UNN and my Poor Self, Felix N.C. Oragwu, found ourselves sheltering with Biafran Military Hierarchy in Bishop Shanahan College Orlu and found ourselves uninvited Observers at the Military Surrender Conference Meeting, 09-01-1970. That gave us the opportunity to witness at first hand the sad / solemn Surrender Meeting of the defeated / vanquished Biafra Nation on 09-01 1970.                                        

• The Federal Military Government of Nigeria on January 12, saluted the Defeat / End of the Republic of Biafra with a Generous Proclamation of “No Victor, No Vanquished and a Call for Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation”, No further Action was taken on this Proclamation,
• The Nigeria Twelve States Federation from existing four Regional States, announced few days before the Civil War, became operational with effect from January 12, 1970 and have by 2014 reached 36 States Federations and Nigeria’s Political Instability and Crises of Good Governance have remained unabated,
• Nigeria’s Universities which were a total five Universities (two Federal Universities and three Regional Universities) which by 1970 are with the top Tenth Position in the World Universities and Nigeria’s Universities es have now risen to over 150 Universities and none of them is within the 1000^th  Position Status in World Universities, where USA and European Universities are sharing First and 20^th Positions / high Quality Standards among themselves, and Nigeria has since resin from 5 (five) Universities to over 120 Universities but Standards / Quality of Products have terribly plummeted,
• Establishment of Projects Development Agency (PRODA) by ECS, Government, 1970.

At the end of the Civil War in January 1970, the leading Members of RAP of Biafra who were in Academic Posts in the Universities before the War got back their Academic Positions. However, those in the Civil Services of the Federal Government and the Eastern Nigeria Regional Government, respectively, were not so lucky and were abandoned to the non-existent Job Market. To take care of the latter, the following ex-RAP Leaders, namely, J.O.C. Ezeilo, Chimere Ikoku, Felix N. C. Oragwu, Gordian O. Ezekwe and Udemezue O. Atuanya, together met with the Administrator of East Central State (ECS) Government, HE Ukpabi Asika, and successfully persuaded him to establish the Projects Development Agency (PRODA) at Enugu to serve as an Instrument of industrialization of ECS and of Job creation in ECS. HE Ukpabi Asika warmly welcomed the idea and provided (1) two hundred thousand Nigerian Pounds as take-off Grant for PRODA and (2) an old expansive former Government Minister’s Residential Quarters opposite Hotel Presidential, Enugu as PRODA Headquarters / Laboratories and Workshops. That is how PRODA was established at Enugu in 1970 and became an Agency of the ECS Government.

In 1972, the Federal Military Government under General Yakubu Gowon, requested  the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) to second “ for two years, Felix N. C. Oragwu, an Academic Staff in Physics Department of UNN and who, the FMG, has deep Experience in Science and Technology for Development of Nations”, to the Federal Cabinet Office, Lagos to assist in setting up a newly created “Nigeria Council of Science and Technology (NCST) in April,  1970. The UNN seconded Felix N.C. Oragwu for two years in the first instance as required, to the Federal Government in Lagos. He (Felix Oragwu) was appointed in 1974 Chief Scientist equivalent to a Deputy Director or Associate Professor in the Universities in the Federal Cabinet Office Lagos.

In 1976, Felix N.C. Oragwu, as Chief Scientist in the Federal Cabinet Office Lagos advised the General Yakubu Gowon led Federal Military Government to take over and get PRODA transferred from ECS Government to the Federal Government for adequate Funding and also advised that Gordian O. Ezekwe, the then Dean of Faculty of Engineering at UNN be appointed Director / Chief Executive  of PRODA. The Federal Government approved and Gordian O. Ezekwe was transferred from UNN to PRODA at Enugu, now a Federal Government Agency. That is how PRODA, Enugu, became a Federal Government Institution.

Gordian. O. Ezekwe served as Director /Chief Executive of PRODA, Enugu meritoriously from 1976-1989 when he retired meritoriously. In January 1990, Gordian. O. Ezekwe, was appointed Federal Minister of Science and Technology by General Babangida Federal Military Government.     

In Conclusion, it is useful to indicate some significant Achievements of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) from 1980-1987, when Felix N. C. Oragwu served as Director In Charge of the Department of Science and Technology Policy, Planning and Development. The Primary Task of FMST, established by President Shehu Shagary / Alex Ekwueme Civilian Administration, October 1979-1983, is to build the domestic endogenous Capability and or Capacity for the production of modern Technologies of production and services and the manufacture of Industrial Goods (Capital, ie. Equipment, Machines, Measuring and Control Instruments such as fast Computers, Engineering Tools, Consumer  goods items such as processed food item, and Industrial Materials including organic Chemicals inorganic Chemicals and industrial Chemicals such as Fertilizers and Explosives) in Nigeria’s Economy both for domestic use and for Export to the World Global Market to earn foreign Currency. These have remained till today 2020 a Pipe Dream. That these that the Tasks of Science and Technology Activities in Nigeria’s Economy remain unfulfilled. From 1970 to present Nigeria has not been able to achieve this Primary Role of Science and Technology Activities for socio-economic development in Nigeria’s Economy. This is well demonstrated by Nigeria’s near total dependence on imported Technologies and industrial Goods inputs  for any Form of Industrial Goods production / manufacture in Nigeria’s Economy in the midst of over 120 Universities each with Faculties of Science, Engineering and Technology, in addition to over 20 R&D Institutions operating in Nigeria Economy and nobody is asking Questions.

For more Details on the above Developments in Nigeria and in Biafra from 1967, one may wish consult / read, the Book by Felix N.C. Oragwu, titled , “ Scientific and Technological Innovations in Biafra: The Odunigwe Technology Fame, 1967-1970”, Second Edition 2017.    This Book deals comprehensively on (a) Political Instability and Crises of Good Governance in Nigeria (b) The Making of the Republic of Biafra, and (c) the Role of Science and Technology Activities in the industrial / Economic Growth / Wealth  of Nations.

Felix N.C. Oragwu, FSAN, MInstP (IOP) London

Former Senior Academic in Physics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN), from 1960s,
Head of Research and Development (R&D)  Planning Division / Coordinator of  Technological Services of the Industrial War Machine that operated in the defunct State of Biafra, 1967-1970.
Retired Senior Director in Charge of the Department of Science and Technology (S&T) Policy, Planning and Development of the Federal Government Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) 1979-1987
Former Technology Development Consultant to UNECA, UNDP and UNIDO