ABSTRACT
War Museums conceptually are public memory sites meant to display military history, war artefacts, and showcase real war efforts and experiences as well as commemorate sacrifices made by fallen heroes. The idea behind this scheme transcends a mere reasoning of conservation but a conscious attempt towards answering questions of how the National War Museum should subconsciously solve conflict-based complex social problems. This essay noted that the history of the Biafra war, as represented in the National War Museum Umuahia, is used as a tool by the Nigerian government to exert control over knowledge and promote the government’s objectives.
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.
Another issue is the identification and collection of materials for the War Museum has been confronted with lack of enthusiasm on the part of those who are in possession of stories and materials. This was stated at a seminar by Lt Col John Shagaya in his speech. He addressed the issue of the people who are in custody of some of these materials and their lack of interest in making them available to the War Museum and also where materials have already been located, the great distance which the monument have to travel to travel to Umuahia has been a handicap taking us again to the paucity of funds. In an interview with Prof Ibenye who was my guide stated that most of the ships which were used in the Civil War are still outside and have not been retrieved due to the far distance where they are located and limited funds to bring them to the War Museum. When an employee in the National War Museum was asked how he sees the institution in the next ten years, his response was disheartening. He stated that Nigerians do not know the worth of what they have and if not properly taken care of, it would be lost.
In conclusion these monuments which have been kept overtime need to be properly maintained, these weapons and monuments need a cool environment in order to avoid rusting this requires constant light in the area. Hopefully this research intends to bring to the fore the importance of the National War Museum and the inevitable adequate attention it requires. With this it can serve as a source of revenue for the nation.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
To carry out a thorough research on the history of the National War Museum and establish it’s significance.
1.4 Objectives
Ø To emphasize on the importance of the National War Museum, Umuahia.
Ø This research reveals the ostensible causes of the war, From it, I understood that the war could have been avoided and the issues settled amicably. By these, the enormous lives lost, property destroyed and under development that ranked amongst the worst consequences of the war would have been averted.
Ø To captivate and sustain the interest about the War Museum, that would ensure the greatest influx of tourist to its as well as place Nigeria as the number one tourist center in the world and among the greatest revenue earner for Nigeria.
Ø This research intends to examine the evolution of weapons used in wars past in Nigeria. To leave a modern and original work for posterity.
1.5 Research Questions
Ø What is the necessity of the War Museum?
Ø What are the contributions of the War Museum to its surroundings?
Ø Can we say that the National War Museum has succeeded in it’s purpose?
Ø Can Nigeria be advanced technologically in weapons?
Ø How can we justify the sighting of the National War Museum in Umuahia?
1.6 Significance of Study
Before the establishment of the National War Museum, a military war museum existed and still exists in Zaria. It was expanded in the late 20’s but given the size and contents of the National War Museum, in West Africa, Surprisingly, many people do not know of its existence. Therefore the study of the National War museum is important for the following reasons: To establish the necessity of applying peaceful approach to crises as well as create awareness; there should be enough books and research materials on the National War Museum. Instead of the dearth of information or no research materials on it as is the case at present.
To propagate peace and dialogue through Peace Studies and Conflicts Resolution in the society. By canvassing for peace and amicable resolution of conflicts through dialogue, this work will eventually weigh positively on the minds of opinion molders and policy makers to explore peace even at elementary stage of negotiations with time enduring peace will pervade every fact of the society.
Before the establishment of the War Museum, historians and scholars imagine who and what the actors and prosecutors of the war looked like. However, fortunately with this work, people no longer have to imagine. This is taken care of by the gallery of pictures on display at the Annex section of the War Museum which are re-produced in this research, for instance Queen Amina of Zaria.
The people of Umuahia are elated by the sight of the National War Museum in it’s environment. This is because of even though the Government of Biafra moved its capital from place to place as they yielded their ground during the war; Umuahia was its last de-facto capital. By the sighting of the bunker known as Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia ,it witnessed and had its own share of loss of lives and property destruction. Many of the weapons that were moved from place to place, one capital to another, had their last resting place at Umuahia.
At least the people of Umuahia have something nostalgic to show for the war. Not just Umuahia, Nigeria and the world at large. To immortalize the soldiers and civilians who died in the wars. The genuine causes of the wars are explored and exploited in peace times to further realize the causes for which they died; otherwise they would have died in vain.
1.7 Scope of study
The research focuses on the history of the National War Museum. It examines the evolution of the War Museum and the scope of its operations. The Museum was established in 1985. As such this research will span from 1985 till present. Why this research adopts present as its terminal date is for academic assessment and proper analysis and convenience.
1.8 Methodology
This presents the methods with which the research were carried out. It described the nature and techniques required for study and how they are sourced techniques ;
Primary Sources
The primary source applied in this research are oral sources which involve interviews of employees in various department of the National War Museum and pictures reference of which is included.
Secondary Sources
Apart from the primary sources, there were also Secondary sourced data used in the accumulation of data for the period of 1985 to present. Some of these sources include publications of the Nigerian warfare through the ages (published January 2007 by the National War Museum Committee) during the proceedings of a seminar, and a journal the National war museum, Umuahia by the National Commission for Museum and monuments, Development Alternatives and Resource Centers Also a poem from the book ”The last of the muse” Published in 2018 by ONYEBUCHI .M. UKANDU Esq.
1.9 Theoretical framework
This research work will adopt the “Just war theoretical frame work” by St, Augustine “Just War Theory” is a doctrine also referred to as a tradition of military ethics studied by military Leaders ,ethicists and policy makers. The purpose of the doctrine is to ensure war is morally justifiable through a series of criteria, all of which must be met, for a war to be considered just, the first concerns the morality of going to war. The second, the moral conduct within the war with an inclusion of a third category of first war theory which is deadly is the morality of post –war settlement and reconstruction.
A just war can only be waged as a last resort. All non-violent options must be exhausted before the use of force can be justified. A war is just only if it is waged by a legitimate authority. Every just cause cannot be served by actions taken by individuals or groups who do not consult an authority sanctioned by whatever the society and outsiders to the society and outsider to the society deem legitimate.
A first war can only be fought to redress a wrong suffered for example, self -defense against an armed attack is always considered to be a just cause though the justice of the cause is not sufficient. Further, a just war can only be fought with ‘right’ intentions; the only permissible objective of a just war is to redress the injury.
A war can only be just if it’s fought with a reasonable chance of success. Deaths and injury incurred in a hopeless cause are not morally justifiable. The ultimate goal of a just war is to re-establish peace more specifically; the peace established after the war must be preferable to the peace that would have prevailed if the war had not been fought. The violence used in the war must be proportional to the injury suffered. States are prohibited from using force not necessary to attain the limited objective of addressing the injury suffered.
A just war can only be waged as a last resort. All non-violent options must be exhausted before the use of force can be justified. Augustine is noted in history as the pioneer of “Just War Theory” in the Western Tradition which best explains the aim of establishing the National War Museum. This theory is applicable to my research which advocates amicable resolution exhaustively. The structure of my work is advisory; war should be the last resort when all negotiations have broken down irretrievably