It is truly astonishing that despite Nigeria's abundance of educated professionals in various fields, the country remains entangled in a web of deception surrounding the Civil War. For over 50 years since its conclusion, the official narrative has emphasized unity as the cause of the war. After all, General Gowon's rallying cry was "To Keep Nigeria One Is a Task That Must Be Done," and he established the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to foster unity.
However, before Gowon's unity campaign, influential figures like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was born in Wushishi District, Zungeru, in Niger Province (now Niger State), and Ojukwu and Nzeogwu, who were born and raised in the North, were already prominent. The Igbo people were spread across the North in the 1950s, just like members of other tribes throughout Nigeria. Therefore, it is clear that Gowon cannot claim credit for bringing unity to Nigeria.
Furthermore, despite Gowon's supposed efforts towards unity, the calls for secession from Biafra and other separatist movements have never ceased. Those who are unable to secede are choosing to leave the country through emigration. Every year, more and more individuals abandon Nigeria like a crew fleeing a sinking ship, seeking better opportunities in countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
So, what is the real reason behind the Nigerian Civil War? Why does Nigeria struggle to address its numerous challenges? Will Nigerian youths forever be forced to migrate in search of greener pastures elsewhere? Will corrupt leaders, whether civilian or military, continue to evade punishment for looting the public treasury? These pressing questions can only be answered by delving into the true cause of the Civil War. That is precisely why you should read this book.
