His Excellency, Peter Gregory Onwubuasi Obi has refreshed the memories of Nigerians on the international day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
He wrote below :
“On Monday March 25th, the global community commemorated the International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Nigeria must acknowledge the historical impact of the transatlantic slave trade on our nation and the world.
Easily the highest number of African slaves were taken from the coasts of West Africa especially Nigeria. We must recognize the enduring historical impact of slavery and the necessity of educating future generations about this dark chapter in the history of the black race in general and our nation in particular. The atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade are starkly exemplified by incidents like the Zong and La Rodeur voyages. On August 18, 1781, the Zong set sail from Ghana to Jamaica with 442 slaves, twice the permitted capacity.
Faced with dire weather conditions, the captain callously threw overboard 54 ailing slaves on the first day and 78 more over the next two days in order to fabricate an insurance claim. Similarly, in 1812, the La Rodeur departed from Bonny, Nigeria, bound for Guadeloupe.
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After an outbreak of ophthalmia rendered slaves blind, the captain drowned 34 slaves he deemed unsellable. These heinous acts continue to echo through the depths of the ocean, resonating against the shores of Goree, Cape Coast, Ouidah, Badagry, Forcados, Bonny, Calabar, Sao Tome, and Cabinda. The ocean weeps, bearing witness to the atrocities committed within it. We must never forget the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade.
Therefore, Nigeria must actively address the lasting effects of slavery, including economic disparities, social injustices, and systemic racism/tribalism.
This commemoration serves as a reminder of the need to promote tolerance, understanding, and unity among all people, regardless of race, region, religion, or background.
Furthermore, concrete actions must be taken to support and empower the descendants of those who suffered from the transatlantic slave trade. We owe our citizens a more humane society than we have at present.
This includes advocating for policies that promote equality and justice. As the largest black nation in the world , let us reflect on our past, acknowledge the impact of slavery, and commit to creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all Nigerians Africans, and all black people. The legacy of the slave trade remains a moral historical burden for modern Nigeria. -PO
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