… …Wrote: They recruited local Hyenas to their cause
“The British project of De-igbonisation of Reverein Igbo started in 1949”
A renowned scholar, Professor Chidi Osuagwu has traced the origin of the practice of denial of Igbo identity by the Igbo in the riverine areas, to what he described as “British project of De-Igbonisation of Riverein Igbo/plot of war against the Igbo” due their alleged interest “Resources control.”
Professor Osuagwu who is seen as one of the best intellectuals of Igbo extraction, noted that “after World War II, the British had a policy of using resources from the colony to rebuild war devastated Britain.”
“Coal, mined in Enugu and shipped to Britain was part of the grand plan.
“The ‘rebellious’ Igbo had other thoughts… The miners protested and the British massacred.”
Professor Osuagwu referenced a song by Osita Osadebe, “Onuigbo” as referring to the said Enugu massacre of 1949.
He said the action of the Enugu miners, sparked similar actions across “the British empire especially, Africa and sped up the independence campaigns.”
This, Professor Osuagwu added, reportedly led to the British to take note of the Igbo. He said, “at that time,, Britain already knew that some much bigger resource than coal existed in Eastern Nigeria…Petroleum.
“They moved fast to insulate it from Igbo control and influence…
“They sought to create Rivers Region…and failed. They moved HQ of Shell Petroleum from Owerrri to Port-Harcourt…
“”All the current campaign against the possible emergence of an Igbo of true Rivers State origin is part of the British planned De-Igbonization of Riverein Igbo for Petroleum’s sake.
