CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the study

The civil war represented a turning point in the history of Nigeria. In 1965, political turmoil in postcolonial Nigeria resulted in a conflict between the Nigerian state and the secessionist state of Biafra. A political challenge against a perceived Igbo dominance in the affairs of the postcolonial nation led to riots, arson. The civil war that followed lasted from 1967 to 1970 and left in its trail unprecedented hardships and losses of almost 1 million people from deaths of mostly starved children[ especially in the eastern region], soldiers and civilian. Nigeria as a nation experienced intense devastation1. However, the Igbo land experienced devastating losses physically and emotionally. In an interview with Mr. Christian Chianumba, he posited that he lost his hearing abilities to the sound of machine guns used during the war. There was separation of families, where members of families lost their loved ones, either by death or displacement. Igbo’s were given to in depth trade and businesses as a result of the war these businesses suffered losses and setbacks which in return affected the economy of Nigeria, thousands of lives were lost at both ends. The war left a dent in the history of Nigeria and as years went by, a need to establish a museum arose.

The National War Museum was established for the purpose of preserving Nigerian war relics through the ages especially the Civil War. The War Museum also holds in it's collection, materials relevant to the establishment, development and achievement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria throughout the years. The Museum became a research outfit and an educational and recreational center.

The Nigerian War Museum, was launched on Jan 15,1985 by Major General Babatunde Idiagbon [fss.mini] Chief of Staff. The text on the commemorative plaques unveiled during the launching of the museum reads: ‘To the glory of our fatherland and for the purpose of preserving for posterity, Nigerian war efforts through the ages’.  Also, the commemorative plaque unveiled during the commissioning of the museum reads: ‘To the glory of God and our fatherland and for the purpose of consolidating the gains of National unity, this National Museum was commissioned on September 14, 1989 by Lieutenant General Domkat – Yah Bali, the Minister of  Defense and Chairman, Joint-Chiefs of Staff. Both plaques have the motto ‘That They Did Not Die In Vain’ inscribed below the main text2.

The Museum has a collection of objects of traditional and modern warfare. There are also outdoor displays of warships, military aircrafts, armored tanks and “Ogbunigwe” (bombs produced locally by Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War). The National War Museum has the highest collection of the Nigerian Civil War weapons that are no longer in use.

The weapons contained in the institution are both from the Nigerian Military and the defunct Republic of Biafra. The museum has become a tourist site that attracts hundreds of people daily. They come from within and outside the country for various reasons (1) to see the war artifacts on display. To some, it is (2) to relive the period of the war through items on display, while to others,(3) it is for study purposes. Others come simply out of curiosity. The War Museum is divided into three components otherwise known as exhibition galleries with an open air Museum including the Ojukwu bunker .

1.2  Statement of Problem

The primary mission of the National War Museum which is also their motto is  “That they did not die in vain”. “They” here captured both the soldiers and civilians who were involved in the Nigerian civil war. Close to this, is the goal to preserve the weapons which were used in this war both the ones made in Nigeria and outside of Nigeria. These represented the technological development at that period. The National War Museum is a reminder that violent conflicts have produced nothing more than destruction and in every crises, peaceful negotiation is to be explored.

However paucity of funds has been a major obstacle to the preservation of the weapons and armor in the custody of the National War Museum. In an interview with the curator of the National War Museum Mrs Mercy Adiaka, she stated that the museum had access to very little funds, in the sense that when the federal government distributed funds to the War Museum, majority or most of these funds were allocated to military installations. When people visit the library of the War Museum and intend to make photocopies of the books of their choice, the visitors have to be escorted by an employee outside of the building to make photocopies. This is as a result of lack of electronic machines and devices in creating a standard cyber cafe in the War Museum.

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