I don't think Chinua Achebe ever tried to shy away from a consciousness that celebrated the igbo sub-culture. But if he was too covertly Igbo in his world-view he sufficiently redeemed himself when in one interview he lambasted Okonkwo for also being too "Okonkwo " and even admitted that that caused his downfall. There was a country really. Perhaps not adaptable but there was a country.
@afrochosenone
10 жыл бұрын
Very true and well analysed. Kudos Mr. Odia! I commend your intelligence and truthfulness.
@MiqueOMOR
11 жыл бұрын
Listening to this interview (and reading Ofeimun's previous writings about the War and Achebe) and reading the comments below, I have come to the opinion that we have real problems in this country. Every comment is clearly divided along tribal lines. That would have been okay if it did not come with unbelievable biases and, in some cases, conscious mischief. Perhaps only Eric made the balanced point by showing that tribal bias is the power behind virtually all of these posts.
@godsonnsofor1554
5 ай бұрын
As an igbo man i dont totally agree with this my Yoruba egbon nd scholar but truth be told he is quite deep nd making sense in some areas. We the youths especially Southern Nigeria youths be u Yoruba igbo ijaw isoko Ibibio efik etc need to unite nd love ourselves cos like he stated we are actually one 💯
@eyichukwuchibuezekingsley5954
11 жыл бұрын
First i must admit that critique is one of the many beauties inherent in academics but i must also point out that when we criticize, we must do so objectively and not with ethnic bias. Having read Achebe's work, i consider it pertinent to point out that Achebe grappled with politico-historical issues that has haunted Nigeria even before independence. ....in all i think he deserves more commendation than condemnation for speaking the truth holistically. i so submit.
@jeffadetola3290
9 жыл бұрын
Great point. There was no country. Our similarities far exceed our differences. Colonialism is a cancer we shall all cure together someday when we return back to understanding our originality as africans. Odia Ofeimun, another African Original.
@Terratiger
11 жыл бұрын
As long as we continue to deceive ourselves in Nigeria and we allow ourselves to be deceived, so long will the potential that awaits Nigerians continue to be stunted. Let the people of Nigeria decide how they want to co-exist. A referendum or plebiscite to decide how one of the most ethnically diverse peoples on earth want to live is in order. Now!
@stephenchuksonah4080
8 жыл бұрын
I heard him say, we are not going to let them go. The same thing colonialists say
@BR-tc8wo
5 жыл бұрын
How did we generate to a situation where we've been ruled by illiterates when intellectual like Odia Ofeimun is around ? Millions of people like this are in the country, but Nigerians prefer to worship ignorance at the expense of knowledge.
@samnnadi5500
10 жыл бұрын
Mr. Odia Ofeimun review of there was a country by Professor Chinua Achebe is not a review but a jealous rage. He did not see anything interesting in this book because Achebe touched the untouchable, his almighty father Obafemi Awolowo. Most reviewers called this book one of the greatest master piece. I read the book and I strongly recommend the book to anyone in search for truth. This important book tells a powerful story from within Achebe's world, a world made lucidly and moving real by a great writer. The Biafran war was a just war and I praise Ojukwu and all the Biafran warriors for saying no to murderers. The New York Times said "the architects of Biafra war were correct in their frustrations with the Nigerian government, which did not intervene as thousand of Igbos were massacred". Mobs were hunting down and killing innocent Igbos in many parts of Nigeria especially in the North, but Gowon sat by and let it happen. Gowon did not like Igbos and he did not want Igbos to move on.
@samuelnnadi2782
9 жыл бұрын
Igbo phobia will definitely see your demise. Mr. Odia Ofeimun is a disgruntled man who has nothing to show in his profession. How can you review a book without reading it? Igbos will continue to wax strong no matter what. Biafran war was a set back but nobody can stop the Igbos today.
@obinnaigboeli6686
Ай бұрын
"All is fair in war" Awolowo said after the war of genocide against the Igbos. ₦20(20pounds) for Igbos regardless of the amount one had before the war started by Gowon Have Reconstruction, Rehabilitation & Reconciliation been done?
@chineduonuoha294
3 жыл бұрын
Rubbish. Any attempt to discredit the work of the great author is dead on arrival. Indeed there was a country and there is still a country called Biafra.
@o-buchionwuka
Жыл бұрын
You can literally see the hate I this dude's heart. What a shame
@olajugbeabayomi6122
Жыл бұрын
Hate? The man gave his opinion
@iseakaayuba8442
7 жыл бұрын
please who can help with the true story of this book their was a country?
@PharaohFontain
9 жыл бұрын
I need answers from this man, if possible. thanks!
@PharaohFontain
9 жыл бұрын
I think he is rather double standard because all his points of arguments against the igbos a directly applicable to the yorubas. And please lets be factual, how does Yoruba and Igbo share lingual fundamentals?
@odurombibanji8971
3 жыл бұрын
Perhaps you should read Prof Bolaji Aremo's book 'How Yoruba and Igbo became different languages'.
@franconero5
11 жыл бұрын
Thank you Odia Ofeimun for letting us know who Chinua Achebe is. Thank you SR for the interview. Whoever still like to read the divisive book please go ahead and read the book of a "mere reporter" at that point in time. I won't touch it even for a cent. If you give me, I will toss it.
@NaijaBrit88
11 жыл бұрын
Wow. That's all I can say.
@carrickphilip7691
7 жыл бұрын
Odia Ofeimun you don"t know what you are saying okay we are not one okay
@raymondajeigbe5225
9 жыл бұрын
This man is analytical and realistic in his opinions bcos he was an 18 yr old vibrant reporter during biafra riot and but no Igbo man would like this man bcos they have been infected with incurable biafra syndrome.
@donaldnzegwu371
9 жыл бұрын
You are beclouded I must say, your people betrayed us in the Nigeria Biafra Civil, was it not the same Ojukwu , a Briafran who secured the release of Awolowo from Calabar Prison. Your people shouldn't be talking when Nigeria is being discussed.
@generalnwankwo8689
9 жыл бұрын
Benny Mccarthy l regret fighting lgbos, General Akinrinade you know him. At Abiola death the yorubas wanted ODUDUWA REPULIC, people of short memories, we want restructuring of the country, succession is possible ( BOLA IGE), people of short memory, today Nigeria is good again, people of short memory.
@goodluckedewale
9 жыл бұрын
Raymond Ajeigbe u re right
@ogboye777
5 жыл бұрын
@@donaldnzegwu371 BASTARD YIBO, DID AWOLOWO SEND UR DEGENERATED PEOPLE TO WAR IN D FIRST PLACE?
@andrewomosili307
4 жыл бұрын
@@donaldnzegwu371 awolowo was an opposition , he opposed the Fulani caliphate ,and was put in person . put the Igbo didn't say anything about how awolowo tired to stop Igbo from going to war .
@chineduoparaugo6296
Жыл бұрын
🤔🤔🤔🤔 I will not say anything
@Terratiger
11 жыл бұрын
Using the internet as a podium, this bitter group of Igbos exhibited the pernicious morality, triumphalist propaganda of viewing others as below them or as adversaries. Mr. Ofeimun, your conclusion as to the future, while idealistic remains humane. A civilized culture, based on an educated mass where hardwork is rewarded and fraud punished. This unfortunately is not what Chinua Achebe and some Igbos want. They will rather that Nigeria and Nigerians perish because of the loss of Biafra.
@jennifern.5305
8 жыл бұрын
I was with him until minute 7:56. Achebe was under no compulsion to tell a history that painted Nigeria in unison, because Nigeria was never unified. The massacre was of the igbo ethnic group solely, even before a civil war was declared, these actions naturally imprints upon the igbo man of today that they are not wanted. There was a country was titled as a personal history, which is is history as he ( achebe) personally experienced it. Secondly if the igbo and yoruba are were indeed brethren like he said 7 minutes in, why were the yoruba or hausa people not subject to the same massacre.? Achebe wrote what he experienced, and stayed true to his craft, if you are unconmfortable with what happened, change the national discourse
@jennifern.5305
8 жыл бұрын
+talk2me9ja The first Coup targeted government officials. A handful of people, (not that this is right). What followed was a massacre of THOUSANDS OF IGBO PEOPLE- WOMEN AND CHILDREN as well. I've read of incidents where Hausa people ripped unborn children from their mother's wombs. That scale of aggression was not perpetrated on any other ethnic group- The scale of the barbarism can't be compared.
@jennifern.5305
8 жыл бұрын
So you're going to completely ignore the fact that boko haram, which have used children for suicide bombs is a northern element? I think this group is one of the main destabilizing factors and your country-men can't seem to get them in check. It's unfortunate because they are hurting African investments. Honestly outside of Nigeria, no one see's igbos as the threat. It's the new wave of radical Islam that is particularly alarming, and I fear for Nigeria that your biggest concern is the igbo when there is much more going on. Its really too bad
@generalnwankwo8689
7 жыл бұрын
Last week talk2me9ja l watch the super falcons of Nigeria play against Cameroon in final of African womens cup, I saw lgbos, yorubas, efik, itsekiri, and izons, and one edo lgbinovia, but unfortunately l saw no UKPA AFERMAI, may be nothing good comes from your land, hence your can not tolerate one when you see it. The only and winning goal was scored by an lgbo woman DESIRE OPARANOZIE, it brought happiness to millions and milllions of Nigerians, please talk2me9ja where is your contribution to this great country and AFERMAI LAND, in AFERMAI LAND no water,no light no good roads, poverty reign in the land and you are worrying yourself over nothing continue in your littleness, bigotry, ethnic stupidity in a global world of today, waste your time pursuing what you do not know and cannot change. Even in edo state lgbos are contributing there quota to its development even more than the UKPA AFERMAI people, so continue in your internet stupidity, anybody like you who does not see anything good in others have nothing good in himself, period l know that after seeing this comment you will write the internet full, this internet was founded by your so called ADAOBI whose history you do not know but have been brainwashed to believe the scrap you told .about.
@generalnwankwo8689
7 жыл бұрын
continue in your scrap and frustration and foolishness, UKPA AFERMAI,
@generalnwankwo8689
7 жыл бұрын
OBI EZE CHIMA WHO WAS A BENIN PRINCE WHO LEFT BENIN KINGDOM AND FOUNDED ISSELE UKU, AGBOR, IGBANKE, ASABA AND ONITSHA TOWN, YOU SEE IGBOS HAVE A STRONG PRESENCE IN BENIN JUST LIKE YOUR ADAOBI, GOGGLES OBI EZE CHIMA AND FOUND OUT, BEFORE YOU CONTINUE IN YOUR SELF DECEIT AND IGNORANCE, SO HE LEFT BENIN BEFORE YOUR ADAOBI, SO ALL THIS HISTORY YOU POST HERE ON THE INTERNET ABOUT ADAOBI ARE ALL FRAUD, IGBO DIALECTS ARE SPOKEN IN AGBOR, ISSELE UKU, ASABA ONITSHA AND IGBO NAMES ARE BERARED IN THIS TOWNS NOT AFERMAI OR EDO, SO YOU HAVE BEEN GROSSLYBEEN BRAINWASHED, DO YOUR RESEARCH VERY WELL BEFORE COMING TO THE NET,. GOOD DAY.
@charlesarinze2147
10 жыл бұрын
Mr odia ofeimun, i am not surprised at your views..you critically analysed a true story from a biased point of view..narrating a story that took the lives of two million people like a fiction.Achebe was an Ibo, he felt the heat of the massacre, he understood the situation and he wrote the story as a life witness.Nigeria is on the heat again, this northern cannibals have started again, yet no one is saying anything.what is happening in the north today, is exactly what started the war, tomorrow tribalism cowards like you will call it a fiction when someone dares to confront the situation like ojukwu did. If we must reconcile as a nation, let us accept the bitter truth that so many wrongs were done to the eastern region, we heal their wounds collectively and we will move on as a people..And please respect an icon in the world, he is the greatest story teller ever to emerge from the black race.
@charlesarinze2147
9 жыл бұрын
Benny Mccarthy I know your type, a self denying tribal masquerade of skulless epitome..
@TheLosgalactico
11 жыл бұрын
i suggest you read it and come to your own conclusions, the view in this interview is unbalanced, very unfairly biased and misses the main point of the book. read it and come to your own conclusions.
@stan22able
11 жыл бұрын
the book here in switzerland is a hot cake ok,big up, prof chinue achebe.
@obinnaomego1971
7 жыл бұрын
And Hausa
@Terratiger
11 жыл бұрын
Segun O'Law, let me thank you for this interview with Odia Ofeimun. Believe it or not, this is digital history. Mr. Ofeimun, I enjoyed your deep intellectual critique of Achebe. It is very sad but the Igbos (some of them) represent a very dangerous cancerous disease that must be cut off from Nigeria. I unfortunately interacted with a few of them online and met and saw raw, fresh hatred, the kind I will never forget. The kind that drives people to War.
@ikemefulewisdom196
2 жыл бұрын
Calculate your comments 9yr ago till now. Sorry to you.
@o-buchionwuka
Жыл бұрын
Then preach love. Don't know why the prosperity of certain regions angers the others,😢😂😅
@Grandoasis87
11 жыл бұрын
I consider your criticisms to be myopic and tribalistic -at best . Everything sensible person in Nigeria knows there's never been the unity you are accusing Achebe of obscuring . Achebe wrote his own account . Write yours .
@tales_of_the_cosmos
Жыл бұрын
Simple.
@justineugwunna9655
7 жыл бұрын
Why Yoruba people are always afraid of dividing Nigeria ?
@w4814252
6 жыл бұрын
Justine Ugwunna he is not Yoruba he is Edo, I don't know why igbos always assume anyone that disagree with them is Yoruba
@jiksawo08
11 жыл бұрын
What is this guy on about? Talk of talking without saying anything! Achebe in his book was indeed a reporter, he didn't pretend about it. He told the war story as an eye witness. Isn't that what reporters do?? Get your facts right and stop smearing our global icon - Chinua Achebe, a proud Biafran!
@Rough-things
7 жыл бұрын
Nonsense and biased view by Odia Ofeimum. His denial of Biafra does not invalidate Biafra . It is a mere wish to influence the minds of our youth.
@sojiadamo5212
4 жыл бұрын
ECO I will tell you what really defines Biafra. Let me firstly say that the core tenant of Biafra be a Nobel one in my veiw, however Biafra is not a name that belongs to any peoples of our land as in fact it is what the Portuguese used to call the Eastern region. Nothing to do with us. There is no such an African thing as Biafra, however most of our people are follow follow fuckers which at the end will only fuck up!
@realooduaoodua8735
10 жыл бұрын
Tell us more about him pls, maybe those books he was writing was copy from Russia lol Achebe has been a mumu from unset. I love this man who was even Chinua sectary...
@slajaa
10 жыл бұрын
where are u from ? Very strange of u
@generalnwankwo8689
9 жыл бұрын
Benny Mccarthy people of short memory,
@slajaa
9 жыл бұрын
Benny Mccarthy Benny Mccarthy Olodo nie.. Alakori
@generalnwankwo8689
9 жыл бұрын
slajaa people of short memory, people of short memory
@chinonsodominion7496
6 жыл бұрын
RealOodua Oodua look at
@arocharles2081
9 жыл бұрын
The prayer simply states that in good times we rejoice but in bad times, we mourn separately don't be stupid! Nd stop misconstruing it to mean something different.
@generalnwankwo8689
11 жыл бұрын
the truth is that we find difficult in this country to say the truth. Achebe traced the problem of Nigeria to 1886 and the civil war to the January 66 coup and the counter coup and the progrom and the mass killing and ethnic cleansing and genoicide on the easterners mainly lgbos. What more do want him to say. He said the truth about AWOLOWO, OJUKWU, GOWON, IRONSI,ADEKUNLE, ETC. While this book is been critised is that he said the truth and nothing but the truth.
@generalnwankwo8689
6 жыл бұрын
A very talkative loquacious bachelor, people like him are abound in this country called Nigeria, there are times when they found there voice at other times there voice are silent, if Johathan increase fuel they will found there misguided voices, if Buhari does they will be silent, if book haram is killing peope in the church, motor parks they will be silent because they do not know who is responsible, but if a military coup takes place it must be Igbo coup, if Fulani herdsmen are killing people this misguided ones like this loquacious one will be silent but let one Igbo man like Nnamdi Kanu makes a statement he will find his voice, let Abukakar Sheakau the book haram leader makes a statement and abuse a sitting president this misguided loquacious one will be silent, let Asari Dokubo makes a statement about the injustice in the land people like him will found there voice, let Obasanjo write his memo on the civil war where he massage his personal ego he will be silent, NOW THAT ACHEBE HAS WRITTEN and knock hard at those who hide under the unfortunate war to commit genocide and hatch diabolical policies to kill women and children and told the whole world from there mouth piece that all is fair in war, THIS LOQACIOUS OVER AGE BACHELOR HAS NOW FOUND HIS VOICE.
@obinnaomego1971
7 жыл бұрын
Too he'll with Yoruba
@ocao2980
7 жыл бұрын
This is to show you that Nigeria unite is base on hate. just because it was writen by Igbo man then this or that lol. Why can't you challenge him when he was alive now he's death and you are making noise. Pls go and marry you need it in your life.
@seuna.8438
7 жыл бұрын
Chinua Achebe died in 2013 and this video was published on youtube in 2012.
@adeyemibadejo8822
5 жыл бұрын
Why would Achebe decide to release his book towards the end of his glorious life leaving him without opportunity to defend his suppositions and his own accounts of history?
@droks4495
4 жыл бұрын
I'm very ashamed of this old man. Please sir, with due respect, try and grow up.
@ucherico
11 жыл бұрын
An average Yoruba man will not like you to speak evil of Owolowo, Hausa man will not like you to speak evil of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and so, Igbo man will not like you to speak evil of Ojukwu. Nigeria has never been a nation because of tribalism not even of religion. Two people can not walk together except they agree, if not, let every one be on his/her own.
@ogboye777
5 жыл бұрын
NIGERIA WAS NEVER A NATION IDIOT. NIGERIA WAS A "( 3 NATION ) IN 1960, B4 YORUBA FULFILL D PROVISO IN D CONSTITUTION BY GRANTING ANOTHER NATION (MID WESTERN REGION) B4 UR STUPID AZIKWE STAGED D 1ST COUP WITH YIBO EXTRACTION ARMY AND THEY SUSPEND THE REGIONAL SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT UNDER D PRETEX OF KILLING CORRUPT POLITICIANS IN THE CENTRE GOVT
@generalnwankwo8689
9 жыл бұрын
ODIA OFEIMUN l do not know if you were in this very country Nigeria during the JUNE 12 crisis and how the yorubas felt for a mere cancellation of an election.I do not know if you read Gen . AKINRIADE statement on TELL MAGAZINE I REGRET FIGHTING IGBOS, BOLA IGE SUCCESSION is POSSIBLE and so on. but if you are then you are a very bad analyst of events in Nigeria. The only thing that stopped the yorubas from doing what the lgbos did in 1967 was the Biafrans experience, not because there were clever or wiser or smarter. ODIA OFEIMUN please read DURO ONABULE review of there was a country and see how a mans work must be analysed without emotions or sentiments, just because it did not happen to the ESAN PEOPLE like you does not mean that it is good. MAY GOD FORGIVE US OUR SINS , SHOW MERCY UPON US AND BRING US TO EVERLASTING LIFE, AMEN.
@emefred
9 жыл бұрын
after fajuyi no more honest yoruba man
@ogboye777
8 жыл бұрын
+eilfred nnatu IS FAJUYI AN IGBO MAN? MY FREIND IS BETTER U GO BACK TO ALABA AND BE SELLING YOUR CAR SPARE PARTS `DIDINRIN`.
@slajaa
10 жыл бұрын
Odia Ofeimun is an old tribalist... Making out points from a real tribalized aspect. Its a pity at your age d edo or d ishan in you is not traceable because u worked with Awo. How ever RIP Awo
@generalnwankwo8689
9 жыл бұрын
Mr ODIA OFEIMUN did your read the book, There was a country or you have something very personal against the person of Achebe. ln the book there was a country Achebe said as reported by the World Bank that 400billion dollars has been stolen by Nigerian leaders since independence, am sure this did not mean anything to you can you share your view on that it appears to me you just have to talk for talking sake please read the book properly with the most open mind think of what a percent of that money could have done for Ishan land, EWU, IRRUA, EKPOMA UBIAJA and so on There was a country was not Igbo or Achebe it is about NIGERIA please read the book well again to give a true analyst. there was no analyst here at all only emotion and personal attack based on Achebe touching the so called powerful.,
@generalnwankwo8689
9 жыл бұрын
Benny Mccarthy First and foremost l am not a Biafra but a Nigerian, secondly Achebe wrote the book as a Nigerian not as Biafran, thirdly Benny Mccarthy is not a Nigerian, lf you are a Nigerian disclose your true identity and I will give you adequate respond,. ODIA OFEIMUN did not read the book and lf he did there was no analyst at all only open rage and inability to accept the painful truth. If you want to see a through analyst please see what DURO ONABULE said and how a man must analyse other peoples work.. without bitterness emotion or sentiments. This Odia Ofeimun did not do. l read the book with the most open mind like him DURO ONABULE.
@adeyemibadejo8822
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you Uncle Odia . I salute your objectivity
@okufrank2148
5 жыл бұрын
Your views contains only 10% truth. But at the same time, it appears you have no love for Achebe.
@bethrandikechukwu3595
5 жыл бұрын
You are a big fool by not bn honest to the atrocities committed to Biafrans by Nigerian government of which Achebe bitterly pointed out. Respect your hero and don't be unnecessary jealous.
@mbisikenjo9532
11 жыл бұрын
who is this fool
@thugrighteous8755
5 жыл бұрын
Google it bro, he is telling you was happen ok,Incase you don't know ,Google 1954 history ok, Igbo took over power all top offices including china Achebe, all bcos the north doesn't have educated elite enough to occupy the space the British is leaving behind at that time so the Igbo took over the office after voting Awolowo out all bcos your people oppose Awolowo presidency all bcos he required people in the western region to pay tax in order to run free education which your people oppose, and you the igbo are enterprising, but when the white left in 1964 the north let the igbo to take over the affairs if the country.soo this man knows what he is saying you don't know.
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