Ndigbo and the beetle analogy!
By Nnamdi Nwigwe
Who still remembers the old popular advertising script: “There’s no killing the beetle?”
The little creature is reputed to possess a survivalist propensity that is equable to immortality.
Small as it is, the beetle inspired the naming of the Volkswagen car brand with its engine at the back.
It is air-cooled and uses no water.
History has it that a former German Chancellor, the Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, mandated the auto manufacturing industry to produce cars that the common man could afford to buy – the People’s Car! (the English meaning of the word VOLKS WAGEN).
He approved the design by Ferdinand Porsche, the later creator of the Porsche car, reputed to be one of the fastest cars in the world!
There is a typical advert in which a heavy vehicle runs over the beetle and the ‘crushed’ creature rises, fluffs its wings, looks at the disappearing van and moves on, as if nothing happened!
So it is with the story of Ndigbo in Nigeria.
As a people they have experienced uncountable waves of attacks, harassments and even killings in various parts of the country, right from the 40s.
Most of the time, the Governments in the Regions and now States, would do precious little to assuage the victims.
Kano City for instance cannot begin to guess how many Igbo people’s graves adorn their territory.
There have been stories of famished indigenes that were practically brought back to life through the generosity of their compassionate Igbo co-residents and neighbours at the infamous “strangers’ quarters” known as SABON GARI.
When the spasmodic rioting begins, it’s this very group that has been shown hospitality that would lead the drugged thugs to the homes of their Igbo targets.
Their shops and homes, which have been the envy of the lazy locals, are systematically ransacked and looted.
Instant death awaited anyone who tried to defend or protect their property.
What happens in Kano is replicated in other cities and towns in the North, including the Middle belt area.
At the height of the madness to eliminate the Igbo people amongst them, the natives pursued their victims into their worship places, railway stations and even airports to draw Igbo blood.
READ ALSO: The premeditated killings in Alaigbo must stop
What, exactly, does Nigeria want from Ndigbo?
In the South, and specifically the Southwest, stories are told of violent actions against Ndigbo by the indigenous population.
Reason?
Sheer envy!
Almost all of the time, the offence of the Igbo co-residents is that they are flaunting their enhanced economic status vis-a-vis the “home boys” who had known some of them when they arrived their land with nothing more than a plastic bag containing a changing dress and possibly some tools for masonry or bicycle repairing.
The auto spare parts business came much later.
The newly arrived Igbo people would soon be seen selling petty goods in front of their crowded shanties.
With time, these same Igbo strangers begin to wax strong economically to the extent of lending money to their “friends” and even landlords.
Some quickly buy plots of land for farming in the rural areas or building their own houses in the cities.
Of late Lagos has become a focal point of many Yoruba-speaking fellow immigrants as Ndigbo but who claim to be Lagosians because they speak Yoruba.
They forget that Lagos was once the capital of the country and attracted Nigerians from all corners who helped to build up the metropolitan mega city.
Bereft of any knowledge of history, young politicians in Lagos with unofficial dual ‘citizenship’ are currently preoccupied in a hopeless effort to wipe out history by changing to Yoruba names, famous Igbo streets and institutions bearing Igbo names.
During election periods migrants from across the border from Ogun, Osun, Oyo, even Ekiti and Ondo flock into Lagos to boost the votes for fellow Yoruba political office aspirants.
Yet they physically attack Ndigbo who may have their own political preferences.
They begin to ask Ndigbo to leave Lagos for Lagosians even when they are not Lagosians themselves!
Now, why is it that Igbo people flock back to these “enemy territories” after every wave of slaughter of their relatives and friends?
The climax was the 30-month Nigeria – Biafra War when the worst of bestial horrors were visited on Igbo people?
Even those who pretend they hate Ndigbo acknowledge that there’s no nook and cranny of this vast country that you will not encounter the Igbo man.
What makes us to whimsically sacrifice our lives at the altar of business and commerce?
Can their businesses equally thrive on Igbo soil?
These are huge questions which answers are in the wind.
Meanwhile the Igbo man remains ever resilient, persevering, long-suffering and patient.
The “undyable” beetle.
Anu an’agba egbe, ya na’ta nri.
