By Tony Adibe
A popular human rights activist, Malcom Omirhibo, Esq., has challenged a former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon on the emptiness and indifference, which his then government showed to the people of the war-torn Eastern Region, regretting that even the 3-Rs (Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation) meant to rebuild the eastern region was a mere lip-service and playing to the gallery.
Reeling out what appeared to be some “sins” of General Gowon and his administration against the easterners, the activist, however, said in a piece he distributed to the press on Tuesday that he was delighted that Gowon is still alive and sound to be able to respond to his challenges.
Malcom Omirhibo said: “I am happy General Gowon is alive when I am making my assertions. I challenge Gowon to show evidence of Federal Government repair, rehabilitation or replacement of any of the Hospitals, Markets, Schools, Buildings or Roads destroyed by the intentional bombing by the Nigeria Air Force and their Arab mercenaries after the Nigerian /Biafran war.
I challenge him to show any Federal Government project that his government established in the Eastern part of Nigeria after the war. I challenge Gowon to show the palliative or financial support that his government gave to the Easterners after the war. I need prove of his government’s effort for the Eastern children to catch up with the educational system after missing out for over three years.
I challenge him to show how many Easterners who lost their jobs because of the war were reabsorbed after the war. Take it from me, the war ended with Nigeria being the Victor and the Easterners the Vanquished. The (3 Rs) Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation policy of Gowon’s government was by mouth not deed .”
- Malcom Omirhibo is a foremost Human Right Activist in Nigeria shared his feelings to mark this year’s democracy day.
