The Nigerian/Biafran Civil War which lasted for two years and six months (6th January 1967 - 15th January 1970 )

“I believe that various agitation groups will stop their agitations when they see a patriotic leadership imbued with fairness, equity, justice,&a determination for a very inclusive and progressive society. Every rational human being can change when he sees a good reason to do so. Such incentives require the right approach, effort, and time.”

“There are youths all over Nigeria who are frustrated because of injustice, poverty, lack of opportunities, unemployment, and apparent exclusion. Such youths could seize and use any issue or tool to express their frustration and anger.”

“I believe that some of those who are agitating are doing so partly due to our failures in creating an inclusive and progressive Nigeria. A working Nigeria with equity, justice and fairness will also definitely and effectively checkmate such extreme groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West African Province.”

“I personally believe that the best strategy for dealing with these situations manifesting in the guise of unclear nationalism, bigoted patriotism and religious bigotry is a carrot-and-stick approach.”

“Nation-building and an ordered society are now imperative. We must wean those that can be weaned through the creation of a society where equity and justice will prevail, a society where the basic freedoms and necessities of life, such as health, jobs, skills, and empowerment are provided.”

“There must be a national programme for those who will accept the carrot approach. For those unwilling to yield to the carrot approach, the stick option will be fully justified &applied. We must put an order in our society &where necessary,justice will be tempered with mercy,”

“As we can recall, Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo, as he was then known, led the then-Biafran delegation to General Gowon to declare that the war was over and that the military colleagues from the Biafran side should be deployed.”

It was stated, “To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done and ‘No victor, no vanquished.’ It is this task of keeping Nigeria one in the spirit of ‘no victor, no vanquished’ that has provided the platform for the commitment of both mental and physical energy to the,arduous but noble task of building one strong, united and indivisible Nigeria. As such, the overriding task we should all be committed to, as stated above, is securing and uniting Nigeria for Sustainable and Inclusive Development, particularly for our children and youths.”

“While we regret the immense losses from the war, we pray for the repose of souls of the departed and thank God that it ended, we all must join hands with utmost sincerity and commitment to preventing any serious violence in Nigeria, let alone another civil war! Never again! This task of securing and uniting Nigeria should be our only option and we all can agree that the leaders and people of different sections of Nigeria have done admirably well, particularly in the years immediately after the war.”

Within less than ten years after the end of that civil war, a committed personality from defunct Biafra, Dr Alex Ekwueme, was the number two man to a most patriotic, humble servant-leader, Shehu Shagari, who was number one.

“May their souls continue to rest in peace! Our dear Shehu Shagari and Alex Ekwueme -both of blessed memories – became a strong and veritable expression of the unity and togetherness that engendered a vibrant post-war Nigeria.

“This democratic leap with its unifying symbolism was glorious for Nigeria, and I deeply cherish such a path of brotherhood and oneness established by Shagari/Ekwueme and truly believe that it is this path of inclusiveness and togetherness as one Nigeria we should follow today.

“Anyone who still harbours a different agenda different from the realization of a wholesome and unifying people-oriented development vision is doing a terrible disservice to this generation and generations of Nigerians yet unborn.

“I cannot think of any valid reason, except for the deficit of sound socio-economic and political policies and programmes that will unite and propel Nigeria forward.

“From what I know of the South-East, the Igbo Nation, led by Ohanaeze, has at every opportunity been unequivocal about its commitment to the unity, oneness, integrity, and progress of Nigeria, based on equity, justice, and an inclusive society.

I, Peter Obi, a proud Nigerian. I am most truthfully and wholly committed to that stand of one united, secure and progressive Nigeria. It is unfair to use the misconduct or position of one person or few persons in an ethnic group to stigmatise the entire group. I have repeatedly said that I will sit down and discuss with all agitators, believing that we must continue to talk and negotiate with all to achieve positive results.”

“Let us accept that the war has truly ended. To try to continue to ‘fight the civil war’ today, after fifty-three years, would be a great disservice to Nigeria and Nigerians, particularly our heroes who diligently laboured to secure and unite us.”

“Let our rallying anthem remain, ‘though tribes and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.”

" I will spend the rest of my life making sure that the civil war and the circumstances that led to it do not re-occur; and to ensure that we build an all-inclusive and progressive society where no individual or group will be estranged, marginalised, or excluded.

I remain resolute that a New Nigeria that we are all proud of and patriotically committed to is possible and it is a task that must be achieved.”