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This on-line journal of ideas is an attempt to critically examine various aspects of Igbo life -- past, present and future. It derives its original idea or inspiration from a sense of duty to the memory of great sons and daughters of Igboland who in various epochs in our history have exemplified the best in Ndi Igbo. The likes of Olaudah Equiano, also called Gustavius Vassa in slavery (1745-1797), Christopher Okigbo (1932-1967), etc., come to mind. We must keep their memories alive!
To this ex-slave, Equiano, who was kidnapped in his native Igboland, perhaps by his own people, who out of greed, selfishness and short-sightedness were working for European and American slave traders -- pall-bearers of human misery; and who was sold into slavery at the tender age of eleven; and who was consequently dehumanized at the hands of his owners in the Americas; and who subsequently bought his freedom, and sailed extensively over the then known world; and who spent his final years fighting for the abolition of the slave trade (his "Narrative" is part of his contribution to the campaign against slavery), "Reflections and Analyses: The On-line Journal of Ideas" must ensure that the ideals for which he dedicated his life must live on! Never again, must we allow any person or any segment of Igboland or any foreign interest to destroy Igbo people and Igboland under any guise or circumstance!
To Christopher Okigbo, this great poet of Africa, who gave up his young life in defense of liberty and justice to his persecuted Biafrans in the Nigerian Civil War (1967-70), "Reflections and Analyses: The On-line Journal of Ideas" must ensure that the ideals for which he fought and died for must live on! He writes:
"AN OLD STAR departs, leaves us here on the shore Gazing heavenward for a new star approaching; The new star appears, foreshadows its going Before a going and coming that goes on forever..."
Christopher Okigbo, "Elegy for Alto"
Just like Equiano fought for our people during the era of slavery, and Okigbo fought for our people when the forces of darkness were unleashed against us during the Nigerian Civil war, Igboland, today, needs new fighters who will take it across the new threshold: an era of renascence in Igbo science and technology, Igbo culture, Igbo literature, Igbo material well-being, etc. This is our challenge.
"Reflections and Analyses: The On-Line Journal of ideas" is equally dedicated to all Biafrans who lost their lives during the Nigerian civil war, as well as those who are genuinely working for the improvement of the lots of our people today. The likes of professor Godian Ezekwe come to mind.
At a time when Igboland is undergoing serious problems, the need for this journal becomes all the more obvious. Not only will it uphold the existing and original contributions made by Igbo scientists, engineers, artists, critics and writers stretching all the way from Equiano (the father of modern African literature) to the likes of Achebe, Ekwensi, Elechi Amadi, Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emecheta, Christopher Okigbo, etc., it will also uphold the spirit of the Igbo/Onitsha market literature phenomenon of yore in all its ramifications.
The writings in this journal need, however, not necessarily be rigid or chauvinistic, but they should be sufficiently inward-looking and self-reflective and progressive, both in their diversity and unity, so as to give a realistic expression to the uniqueness of the collective and individual experiences of our people throught out the various epochs in their long and difficult history. It is, no doubt, an immense and onerous task to which "Reflections and Analyses: The On-line Journal of Ideas" addresses itself, but a task which can be overcome with the cooperation of all of us. This series will perforce not lose sight of its greatest objective: to interest its readers and at the same time keep them reliably up-to-date and well-informed about Igbo life -- past, present and future.