May 16 2020 | Radio Biafra
Remembering Sir Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam KCMG KBE, was born in the year 29 November 1906 – and died 1 July 1995. Sir Akanu Ibiam studied in Glasgow and Cambridge graduated from the University of Andrews with Medical degree in 1934 proceeded and served as a medical missionary in Scotland and Nigeria for more than a decade, he was Knighted in 1951. Dr. Akanu Ibiam was a distinguished medical missionary who was appointed Governor of Eastern Region of Nigeria from December 1960 until January 1966 during the Nigerian First Republic. From 1919 to 1951, he was known as Francis Ibiam, and from 1951 to 1967, Sir Francis Ibiam.
Sir Francis Ibiam deeply hurt by British government labour party of Baron Harold Wilson overwhelming support for Nigeria to crush the Republic of Biafra, Dr. Ibiam vehemently renounced and returned to the British Head of State the three insignias of British government Knighthood that both the queen and her father, King George VI, had earlier conferred on him, the esteemed missionary physician for services to Church and State.
Just slightly over forty-nine [49] years ago to the day, in August 1967, the venerable Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Christian missionary physician, erudite theologian and State’s person who had worked for 30 years in the Church of Scotland/Presbyterian Church rural medical programmes across Central and East regions of Biafra, wrote a twenty [20] -paragraph historic letter to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England.
In his letter, Dr Akanu Ibiam denounced his Knighthood membership unreservedly, Dr. Ibiam pointed out the central role being played by Britain in the Igbo-Biafra genocide, the foundational genocide of post-(European) conquest of Africa, which had then entered its second year of unremittingly ruthless slaughter. In protest to this role as being existed by British government, because of British government devilish act of supporting a Muslim Northerner Nigerian State to crush over a Christian Biafran State pushed and forced Dr. Akanu Ibiam to renounced and returned to the British Head of State the three insignias of Knighthood (OBE, KBE, KCMG).
Dr. Akanu Ibiam returned his Knighthood to the Queen and King George VI, which they had earlier conferred on him meritoriously. During the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 – 1970, Dr. Akanu Ibiam actively assisted the Biafrans, he helped obtained relief supplies through his Church contacts. As one of the six Presidents of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Akanu Ibiam spoke at the WCC Meeting in Uppsala, Sweden in July 1968 where the problem of relief for refugees was discussed. Chief Bola Ige, Adviser to the Church of the Province of West Africa was also present, and ensured that the name “Biafra” was avoided in the World Council of Churches (WCC) resolution, since that would imply recognition of the Biafran State.
However, Dr. Akanu Ibiam was instrumental in ensuring that the nightly air lift of relief materials including foods and medicines into Biafra started during the genocidal to cushion for the heavy effects of malnutrition which was an eyesore. In 1969, he travelled across Canada to raise humanitarian aid and support for the people of Biafra. Sir Akanu Francis Ibiam for standing up when others kept mute and for your overwhelming integrity, honour, love and compassion towards your Biafran people and their cause, you must be remembered.
For your very intellectuality and emotional backup towards the Biafra struggle. We must remember the braveness and mettle of leadership exhibited by you [Dr. Akanu Ibiam] come 30th May 2020 as the Indigenous People of Biafra worldwide will remember her heroes and heroines’ efforts during the war of total extermination of the Igbo race.
Published by:
Chibuike John Nebeokike
For: Radio Biafra Media
