OBONG VICTOR ATAH: WHO IS PHILIP EFFIONG IF BIAFRA IS FOR IGBO?

BIAFRA
I will always maintain that some Elders in Biafra land have to be the most illiterate people in the world and it rings more true for people who are supposedly seen as educated people like the former governor of Akwa Ibom State Obong Victor Atah whom last week I read his objection against the statement made by the president Muhammadu Buhari that Nigerian unity is not negotiable, which I applauded him on his response to President Buhari that the unity of Nigeria is negotiable but, a few days later I also read on Vanguard newspaper same man blabbing and saying Biafra is for the Igbo Biafrans alone.  I began to ask my self-critical questions about this statement coming from the man I respected so much, and the question is: does Obong Victor Atah lack full knowledge and history about the Biafra civil war? Secondly, does Obong Victor Atah know who is called General Philip Effiong, the Biafran second in command to General Odimegwu Ojukwu who happen to come from the same state Akwa Ibom? With due respect Sir, Biafra is not Igbo, but Igbo is one of the tribes that makes up Biafra. In case you forget the history, His Royal Highness Chief Frank Opigo Dawai 111, Amananaowei of Angiama, an elder statesman, politician, educationist, a philanthropist and graduate in 1953 became the administrator of Yenegoa Province of Biafra and the commissioner for rural development in 1967.
Chief Opigo in a meeting summoned by late Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu suggested the name "BIAFRA"; he gave the name Biafra (after the Bight of Biafra now Bonny), and the rest of the old eastern elders in that meeting including General Odimegwu Ojukwu, and they adopted the name. As a matter of fact, Biafra's historical record would remain incomplete if this great Ijaw son is not mentioned or remembered. Sir, you also forgot that as at the time When Ojukwu declared Biafra, he was Governor of Eastern state that includes Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. Gowon already created old Rivers and Old Cross River. In other words, Biafra consists of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states. Sir your statement that Biafra is only for the Igbo tribe is clueless, and I wonder if you were born before the war or after the war. Sir, you forgot too soon that Phillip Effiong who is from Akangkang of Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom State, a Chief of General Staff and next to the Head of State General Ojukwu, he fought in defense of his people to the last second of the war, General Ojukwu handed over power to General Effiong, leaving for Côte d’Ivoire. Effiong after that became Biafra's new Head of State till his death. Take note of this Obong Attah. Henceforth we are ever united now, stronger than before, more determined, we will never give room and will never tolerate anybody who will instigate the divide and rule tactics and we will ever remain fearless before anybody who will stand as an enemy to the restoration of our dear country Biafra.

Written by Lucky Ike
Editor Udeagha Obasi
For UmuChiukwu Writers.