The ethno-cultural bogey and revival of centrifugal Ibo nationalism in Nigeria

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Periodical article

Title:	The ethno-cultural bogey and revival of centrifugal Ibo nationalism in Nigeria
Author:	Omeje, Kenneth
Year:	2008
Periodical:	Journal of Social Development in Africa (ISSN 1012-1080)
Volume:	23
Issue:	1
Pages:	89-110
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	nationalism ethnicity separatism Igbo
Abstract:	In May 1967, the Ibo-dominated eastern region of Nigeria embarked on a 30-month secessionist campaign to establish an independent State of Biafra. The events surrounding the war saw Ibo nationalism materialize to a historical crescendo. Nonetheless, the Biafra revolt was crushed and defeated. In recent times, Ibo nationalism has tended to revive the Biafra project. This paper explores the revival of centrifugal Ibo nationalism in the context of Nigerian national politics, including the problems and challenges this presents. The upsurge and comeback of centrifugal Ibo nationalism, as the paper demonstrates, constitute events that are by no means isolated. The phenomenon is part of the nexus of micro nationalism and the correlated violence increasingly spawned by institutional dysfunctionality and the failure of the State which, in turn, further complicates efforts at Statebuilding and national development. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]