On January 6, 1971, just a year after the end of the devastating Nigerian Civil War, the Nigerian government enacted a decree that would etch a painful chapter into the history of the Igbo people. This decree, deeply rooted in the aftermath of conflict, mandated the freezing of all bank accounts owned by individuals of Igbo descent.
With a chilling finality, every Igbo account was seized, and regardless of the funds previously held, each affected person received a mere £20. This stark sum, a pitiful fraction of what was rightfully theirs, symbolised the enormity of the loss and the stark reality of economic marginalizationnof Ndígbo.
The funds confiscated from these accounts were then funneled into the Nigerian treasury, leaving countless Igbo families grappling with the cruel blow to their economic stability. This decree not only stripped Igbo people of their hard-earned savings but also underscored a period of profound financial and emotional hardship for Igbo nation
The echoes of this historical decision reverberate, reminding us of the resilience of Igbo people who, despite such grave injustices, continue to forge ahead.
And after 53 years, they are now the richest tribe in Africa, and their region has become the most developed in Nigeria.
