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@cfmemories 53 years after the start of the Biafran war, there is so much to reflect on. My daddy gave me Alex Madiebo's book Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War to read when I was in secondary school. The experience made me cry but also made me curious. @Chxta
As a family, we got our fair share of the tragedy. Still in his 30s dad became an accidental head of our extended family. The eldest uncle Isaiah went missing when Achi fell to the federal troops and subsequently his elder half brother Eewueke died of heartbreak from this tragedy
Coincidentally Isaiah's death was confirmed the day I was born. Because my dad was taking care of this large extended family, he couldnt join the army and was constantly terrorized by the conscriptors. In one instance my pregnant mother had to cry and beg for daddy to be released
My parents and relatives survived on people's kindness. Reading my daddy's war diary revealed the hopelessness and helplessness daddy felt not being able to take care of everyone of our relatives
The most touching stories told to me was the day mum went to market with my 6 month old sister strapped to her back. The bombers came and the market was under attack. It was too late for mum to take cover.
My mum laid my sister down and then laid down on top of her hoping to use her body to shield her from the bombs. She was convinced she was going to die but was hoping she will die saving her daughter @MTechLaw
The war destroyed lives. The damage is incalculable. Every family I know growing up had painful stories to tell. In my village, the list of the dead is so very long. In my curiosity I was told stories of youths with great future gone in the war
The reality of the war and its ever fresh scars should remind us as a country that this land should never see this kind of destruction ever again. I remember the two men that trained my father Isaiah and Eewueke. Their generosity to dad, gave me a future. I mourn them today!
