Captain Ignatius Onyejekwe has just released his book titled  “Nigeria Civil War – The Country Biafra”.   " The Captain" as he is fondly called was a soldier and an Army Captain in the Biafran Army.  The Nigerian civil war broke out in Nigeria between 1967-1970.  The main central idea of the book is for our leaders to do whatever they could do to avoid war.  According to Onyejekwe while talking to OASES NEWS, he confirmed that the events that happened during the war were not palatable and should be lesson to all,  not only to the military but to civilians especially this time when the Presidential election is  coming up in Nigeria in few months' time.  Leaders should build a stronger  and indivisible Nigeria, he submitted. 

The author of the book Ignatius Onyejekwe advised  Politicians in this interview with OASES NEWS   “To  Preach Peace not war, to put smiles on  citizens' faces not tears".  Find below the excerpts of the interview with OASES NEWS.

OASES NEWS:     What were you doing shortly after  the Civil war ended in 1970?

Captain Ignatius:   I went back to the village in Ekwusigo Local Government Area in Anambra.  I worked very hard to return to a normal civilian life, which was not easy to attain. Simple things like how to walk and feel safe without a gun and take directions.  I was lucky that I did not suffer from what is today called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).   I later moved to Lagos where I worked for numerous companies and played soccer for many football clubs.

OASES NEWS:      When did you move to USA?

Captain Ignatius: I moved USA in 1978, when  I arrived in USA  I went to school and became became a Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor and A & P mechanic.  I reside in Illinois where I got married to my beautiful wife and we are blessed with  three children.

 OASES NEWS:     What are you doing now?

Currently, I am an employee of the United States Postal Service and have a remarkable experience with this great company.  I am a member of Nigerian In Diaspora (NIDO) in USA

OASES NEWS:  What made you thought of writing a book forty-four years after the war?

Captain Ignatius:   It has been a struggle for survival since the war ended. There is an Igbo adage that says that, "one has to secure a land before going for a mat".

OASES NEWS:  The title of your book will no doubt make the book a controversial one, why did you refer to Biafra as a Country on the title?

Captain Ignatius:   Even though Biafra no longer exists, at the time of the event all participants saw it as such. Nigeria is one now and I am happy to be a part of it and strongly advocate for one country, one nation, and one people.

OASES NEWS:         Tell us  the relationship between the pictures on the front cover of the book and Biafra war.

The picture on the front page is a true representation of all that fought and died for the country on both sides and that is the cross, and the rifle is for the remembrance of the missing soldiers. I always weep when I remember those that died during the war for they are the real heroes and should be honored.

OASES NEWS:         What was your rank in the army  during the war?

Captain Ignatius:       I was a captain and was field commissioned.

OASES NEWS:        When do you intend to launch your book in Nigeria?

Captain Ignatius:      Time shall tell but it is not in the works now.

OASES NEWS:         What is the difference between  Boko Haram war in Nigeria and  the then Nigerian Civil war?

Civil war is a noun and is a war between parties, factions, or inhabitants of different regions within the same nation, state or republic. Boko Haram is a terrorist group but the civil war was as a result of  disagreement and mistrust that existed in Nigeria at that time. There was chaos and mass movement of the Nigerian population seeking a safe haven.

OASES NEWS:         Was there discipline in the army then compared with today’s  soldiers in Nigeria?

Captain Ignatius:      Absolutely correct.

OASES NEWS:        According to information that men seen in public places like market, motor parks etc. were  forcefully taken away to join the   

                                army, so how were you recruited into the force?

Captain Ignatius:     There was no gainful employment available and to survive the only choice was to join the army.

OASES NEWS:         What message do you want your readers/audience to get from the book?

Captain Ignatius:     To remind the youths about the evils of war

OASES NEWS:         Do you still believe in Biafra or one Nigeria?

Captain Ignatius        Definitely, ONE NIGERIA

OASES NEWS:         What lesson did you learn from this civil war?

Captain Ignatius:     There is sense in dialogue, communication, reconciliation and peaceful co-existence. Nigeria is our home and no other place to go but to come together and take it to a great Nation for all.   Nigeria is the corner stone of Africa and the only hope for the Greater Africa. So, for all Nigerians, we owe it to all Nigerians, Africa and The world as a whole to remain a viable country economically, politically and socially.  

OASES NEWS:         How did you see Nigeria then during then and now?

Captain Ignatius:     Nigeria has always been one great Nation and the pillar in Africa with unlimited potentials. It will continue to be so but we have to work harder to keep it in the fore front of Africa.

OASES NEWS:   What advice would you give to the next Nigerian President  for peaceful  existence and stability of government.

Captain Ignatius: My answer might seem to be simplistic but the task ahead is enormous.

• Accept the concept of One Nigeria with no religious bias.

• Eradicate corruption and enforce discipline, which means a very strong judicial system with free press throughout the country.

• Set up a forum of intellectuals where all the local leaders from all states meet to discuss issues affecting the country and advice the President.

OASES NEWS:         The release of this book is timely because of the forthcoming election in Nigeria as this would educate Nigerians and aspiring politicians to avoid what could cause war.  How would Nigerians have access to this book?

Captain Ignatius:     NIGERIA- NO MORE WAR FOR IT DOES NOT PAY. ALL DISAGREEMENTS CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH  DIALOGUE. 

 To obtain a copy go to:   http://www.americastarbooks.net/9781634480444.html   or, visit the above link and Amazon Kindle eBook, a Barnes and Noble Nook eBook, Kobo and Google eBooks and under search enter the book name: “Nigeria civil war” or google my name.

OASES NEWS:   Any word of advice for the Government and People of Nigeria?

Captain Ignatius: I would  like to mention that Col. Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu was a true patriotic Nigerian who  believed in  One Nigeria. All his actions were based on making Nigeria a better place for all and as evidenced with his middle name.

Captain Ignatius:  Nigeria is the corner stone of Africa and the only hope for the Greater Africa. So, we all owe Nigeria, Africa and The world as a whole to remain a viable country economically, politically and socially.  Keep our press FREE of all governmental influence and dump corruptionwhich is our biggest enemy and set back, six feet below the earth. We are losing the best of the best talents in the country due to the current situation in the country.  Nigeria has the intellectuals, Natural and human resources to become one of the greatest Nations in the world. I pray every day for our leaders that God should give them the wisdom and vision with which to move our country forward and in the right direction. We have to put our country Nigeria first. God bless our country Nigeria.