M. O. ENÉ
If you are a “Babie” or a “Bobie”—born and or bred in Enugu—
you can contribute to the celebration of Coal City Centenary…
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Those
who do not trumpet their history read the versions written by others. The people
of Enugu State have waited for far too long to beat their chest as the
principal pioneers of Nigerian independence from Britain. Therefore, if there is
one thing to take away from Enugu Day 2009, it is the fact that Nigeria did not
get its independence only from the oratorical gymnastics of Dr. Nnamdi (Zik) Azikiwe, the
father of Nigerian nationalism and the son of an Enugu State (Waawa) woman.
Nigeria’s independence from Britain was bloody, though not at the level of George Washington-led American war of independence. No, it did not take a bloody war; nonetheless, it took blood—the blood of Enugu people—to trigger the national struggle that won Nigeria its independence nearly 49 years ago.
What happened? In 1949, Enugu coal miners demanded better conditions of service. The colonists ordered their leaders shot, and 21 miners died. Many more were wounded, and families were traumatized. The barbarity of the trigger-happy police triggered a national revulsion that energized Nigerians to oust the colonists in 1960. Many Nigerians still think that independence came on a platter of platinum. False! It took the blood of Enugu to galvanize Nigerians.
The colliery shooting is commemorated with a monument situated at the end of the first exit from the Lagos-Onitsha-Enugu-Port Harcourt Express Road. It is a memorial monument to the miners who died so we can live free and die happy. It is a reminder to generations yet unborn of the sacrifices of Enugu citizens, a testimony that all injustices, all ingratitude, and all inequities must eventually fail. All it takes is just a few good men and women standing tall and telling the truth to the face of evil.
The role of coal is central in the origin of Enugu. Prior to the “discovery” of coal on the foothills of Udi Hills, the colonists had planned an admin headquarters in Udi town. The plan changed. Development efforts moved to the farmlands off Enūgwu Ngwuo village. Hence, the name “Enugu” is derived from “enu ugwu” (Igbo for “hilltop”). Ironically, the city of Enugu is largely located in a valley—"ofuana" or "uwaana"! [Now you know the root of Uwani section of Enugu, the Coal City.)
This year, Enugu celebrates 100 years of its beginning as an urban area, starting with the popular, planned Coal Camp. From 1909, Enugu has contribute immensely to sociopolitical, economic, technological, and cultural advancement of southeastern Nigeria in particular and Nigeria in general. It has since served as the capital of Southern Provinces (including Calabar, Benin, Ibadan, Lagos, etc.), Eastern Region (including western Cameroons), Eastern Nigeria, Biafra, East Central State, old Anambara State, old Enugu State (including a greater part of Ebonyi State) and currently Enugu State, the "Coal City State."
Long before oil became the liquid gold, the coal of Enugu was solid black gold that kept trains on tracks, provided fuel for the hydrothermal power at Oji River—which powered the entire eastern Nigeria and western Cameroons with all its industries and towns—provided employments, sustained the city that became the heart and soul of Igbo nation, and later became a costly catalyst in the successful struggle for independence.
This December, the Coal City will celebrate its centenary, a whopping 100 years since the fastest growing planned city… before Abuja came into play later in the last century. The sweat and blood of Enugu coal miners have provided enough fuel to get Ndiigbo and many Nigerians this far. The miners' memorial monument is dedicated to the memory of the brave men who made Enugu proud and energized Nigerians. If the current generation had half their courage, Nigeria would have gone too far.
Therefore, it is imperative that we produce and document our history. So, if you are a “Babie” (female) or a “Bobie”(male) born and or bred in Enugu, you can contribute to the celebration of Coal City Centenary, the cradle of Nigerian independence by recording your own memory in 220 words maximum. There will be a compilation of personal recollections and reminiscences to be published in time for the Coal City Centenary Celebrations this December. Be a part of living history; celebrate Coal City Centenary!
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Reedbuck is collating and compiling
Recollections & Reminiscences
From all Enugu Born and or Bred
Email your entry today; max 220 words
Space is limited; Send entry on or before September 22, 2009
See also:
Hank Eso
Placing Enugu in its Proper Context