I was invited with a couple of friends to a birthday party by two wonderful friends, Miss Melody and Mr. Shambe. The venue was at the Biafran leader Odumegwu Ojukwu's bunker where he and his men built an underground hideout during the war. The building, according to the curator was constructed within 90 days amidst heavy war. It is now a very popular tourist site in the east. After the sightseeing, some of the invitees spoke on the advantages and disadvantages of war. It seemed there's no advantage, or any reasonable advantage of war. But like every stories I've heard about the war from those on the Nigerian side, Igbos (Biafrans) were once more painted war-mongers. Some of the speakers inferred that those who are calling for a separate state for the Igbos 'never saw war'. I thought to myself: does it mean that one is inviting war when he says he doesn't want to continue being a part of any union or an association? No. I don't believe that because as a country, Nigeria sought independence, and as individuals, we strive to become independent particularly in situations the depending entity is no longer comfortable. These young speakers (NYSC members) also made issues about peace. They told the audience that we should work for peace always. Inasmuch as this is laudable, I have my reservations. I utilised the opportunity to first express my worries as an average person living in Nigeria as an Igbo. I told the audience that usually the Igbos do not feel the impact of the federal government as it should. And some acts such as setting military men upon the roads and corners in the east creates some chagrins in the people. What about the federal government roads that've turned into bushes, appointments, cut-off marks for entry into the universities that is unfavorable to the the Igbos, and on. I dwelt more speaking on justice. I said that justice is the mother of peace. It baffles me that even our religious leaders dwell more on preaching peace than justice. That's my reservations. Where there's justice, peace abides. My friend from Jos, Gideon Pam used the analogy of what is currently happening in Jos to buttress my point. I even understood that we'd stan https://www.instagram.com/p/BpwAGArBQl1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16rujntevlvwq