A sincere appreciation & celebration of the greatest women on earth; Umu Nwanyi Igbo (Igbo women).

The extraordinary contributions of Igbo women in the struggle to liberate Igboland, should never be underestimated or overlooked!

As early as 1929, when colonial abuse was a fact of life to most Africans, Igbo women, with support from other women in the bight of Biafra, organised a revolt against British colonial rule & paid with their blood.

Although this audacious & brave anti-colonial revolt is rarely discussed today, I absolutely concur with those who argue that the Igbo Women’s war of 1929 initiated & inspired the struggle to liberate Nigeria.

In 1966, some young NIGERIAN Army officers attempted a military coup.

Although they were inspired by the socialist revolutions sweeping across Africa and the perceived incompetency of Nigeria’s political elites (earlier in 1965, a post election riot in Western Nigeria led to the declaration of a State of Emergency & casted doubts on the ability of Nigeria’s political elites to lead the nation).

However, this coup attempt was used as a pretext to massacre thousands of Easterners resident in Northern Nigeria; according to some reports, some Igbo women had their babies cut out of their pregnant stomachs during the 1966 anti-Igbo pogrom.

Once again, the freedom & rights of Igbo women were trampled upon by non-Igbos, and they did exactly what their grandmothers did in 1929, they fought back!

They actively supported their new Republic of Biafra; they enlisted in the Police force to keep order, they volunteered for military service, they kept hospitals, schools & market places open, even though the Egyptian pilots of the Nigerian airforce were known to target markets & hospitals.

The combined military efforts of Nigeria & its allies, could not defeat Biafra. So, a military blockade was initiated with the goal of starving Biafrans into submission; 3 million people mostly women & children perished as a result.

Rape was also used to demoralise the Biafran population but through all these suffering & pain, Igbo women didn’t give up. They remained strong, so that we may live!

Dalu nu & we shall NEVER Forget!

#Queens #Biafra50.