When Biafra Ceased to Exist: Archived Video Shows Major-General Philip Effiong Concedes the War

“That we accept the existing administrative and political structure of the Federation of Nigeria, that any future constitutional arrangement will be worked out by representatives of the people of Nigeria. That the Republic of Biafra hereby ceases to exist.”

By Anthony Obi Ogbo (Texas International Guardian)

The basic philosophy of progress hinges on reconciliation of the past with the present to forge a prolific future. While the issue about Nigeria’s restructuring or regional partition rages, it might be appropriate to update the current population about documented facts about the previous civil war in connection with the struggle of the Igbo’s for self-resurgence; and how it sadly ended.

It was on January 15 few days after the surrender at Dondan Barracks in Lagos, in the presence of General Gowon, below is Biafra’s second-in-command, Major-General Philip Effiong conceding the war, and announcing the end of the Biafra.

Biafra’s Concession Speech  – from Effiong to Gowon

“I, Major-General Philip Effiong, Officer Administrating the Government of the Republic of Biafra, now wish to make the following declaration: that we affirm that we are loyal Nigerian citizens and accept the authority of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria. That we accept the existing administrative and political structure of the Federation of Nigeria, that any future constitutional arrangement will be worked out by representatives of the people of Nigeria. That the Republic of Biafra hereby ceases to exist.

The situation seem hopeless and prolonging the conflict would have only led to further destruction and starvation of the people of Biafra so Effiong believed. “I am convinced now that a stop must be put to the bloodshed which is going on as a result of war. I am also convinced that the suffering of our people must be brought to an immediate end”

The term “Biafra” is psychologically relevant to every person who hails from a region once declared as Biafra. Yet it must be noted that political and historical relevance of this this struggle has never been disputed, and in fact remains indelible in the global history of human struggle for existence.  

This may be hard to swallow, but must be noted that the current contention about Biafra has nothing whatsoever to do with a collective struggle of the Igbos.  Pro-Biafara groups do not represent the Igbos but individually represents specific missions which most of them have totally failed to properly convey.

Noted one Dr. Ugoji Egbujo in an article published in the Nigerian Vanguard, “Biafra was justice and freedom. But Biafra has become a tool for charlatans, a toy for dissipation of youthful exuberance. Biafra once evoked Igbo unity and enterprise. But Biafra has now been appropriated by jobless opportunists who exploit the frustrations of their poor brothers. Biafra was Igbo fellowship. But this their new Biafra thrives on cannibalizing fellow Igbos. Biafra was consultation, consensus. This Biafra is now extremism, hallucination, egocentrism.”

It is evident that the current controversy about Biafra – to be or not to be – has nothing to do with identity of the Igbos as Biafrans. Being a Biafran is not a choice; for every person who hails from a region once declared as Biafra is a Biafran. However, we must note that the only major contention is a total resistance to charlatans and ill-informed extremists using Biafra and the most respected Igbo values to aimlessly and unintelligibly pursue selfish interests. 

♦ Publisher, Anthony Obi Ogbo, PhD is the founder of the American Journal of Transformational Leadership

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