The fact that Biafrans are landlocked has been the subject of numerous discussions. And for some, it is sufficient justification for Biafrans to remain enslaved slaves in Nigeria and never consider the possibility of freedom. Strangely, a sovereign nation without sea access is called a landlocked nation. It is surrounded by vast land and does not have a direct connection to the ocean. Such is typically unable to participate in international open ocean activities due to its isolation from the sea. People feel justified in arguing that Biafra cannot exist independently of Nigeria because of all of these factors.
As a result, the following inquiries require responses: Is economic growth hindered by being landlocked? Does having access to the sea give nations more power or accelerate their progress? Obviously, Nigeria would not have remained as behind if the second question had been asked. After all, she is not surrounded by water. There are currently forty-four (44), generally recognized landlocked nations, and five (five) partially recognized nations.
READ HERE Because Igboland is not landlocked, 475.8 million people, or 6.9% of the world’s population, live in nations without sea access. These nations have 11.4 percent of the world’s total land area.
With 2,724,900 square kilometers, Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked nation, while Vatican City is the smallest with 0.44 square kilometers. Contrary to Vatican City, which has only 820 inhabitants, Ethiopia is the world’s most populous landlocked nation, with 101.8 million people.
Europe and Africa each have 16 countries with no land borders. There are 15 countries in Asia that are landlocked, but only two in the United States. Among the 49 landlocked nations in the world, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Laos, Paraguay, Rwanda, Uganda, and the West Bank all have naval forces. With boats and naval personnel, they protect vast inland water bodies like seas, lakes, rivers, and other endorheic basins.
However, some delusional individuals attribute Biafra’s continued entrapment within Nigeria to “being landlocked.”
Even the degree of isolation and seclusion from international waters varies.
On the current political world map, a single nation separates three landlocked nations: Lesotho (surrounded by South Africa), Vatican City, San Marino (both surrounded by Italy), and Seven countries are surrounded by two neighbors at the next level of isolation and semi-enclaves: Andorra (between France and Spain), Bhutan (between China and India), Eswatini (between Mozambique and South Africa), Liechtenstein (one of the double-landlocked countries between Austria and Switzerland), Moldova (between Romania and Ukraine), Mongolia (between China and Russia), and Nepal. International recognition has been restricted in three of these nations. These are: Transnistria (between Moldova and Ukraine), South Ossetia (between Georgia and Russia), and the West Bank (between Israel and Jordan).
Last but not least, there are nations with dual landlocked status; meaning that the only countries that border them are landlocked ones like Liechtenstein, which is surrounded by Austria and Switzerland, and Uzbekistan, which is surrounded by Austria and Switzerland. Other countries that border them include Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Zambia, Serbia, and Austria are landlocked nations that share eight countries as neighbors with some of their own. Therefore, I will not hesitate to inform many bigoted Nigerians who, regrettably, believe that the country’s isolation from the rest of the world is a curse that it still has a few other advantages.
Countries without land borders frequently avoid the worst effects of oceanic weather, like storms and tsunamis. They are also able to monitor all goods and people who enter and leave the country through land borders. In a similar vein, they are shielded from incursions from the sea.
Biafrans are too intelligent to be intimidated or handled. too well-educated to be controlled, especially in Nigeria. They are far too fortunate to adhere to Fulani janjaweedism. To our advantage, we alter the natural world and its causes. Because we are a people that God has blessed more than any other, every difficulty comes before us.
Bless us and receive blessings; curse us and perish. Keep in mind that the Israelites will not be hindered by any red sea. Every obstacle serves to advance our cause. We know who we are, we can go above and beyond, we can go as far as we can, we can race the fastest, we can grab the fastest, we can survive the harshest conditions, the most painful ones, the loudest laughter, and we are builders.
The distinction is obvious! Biafra is landlocked, whereas Nigeria is brainlocked. Biafra is landlocked, whereas northern Nigeria is brainlocked. When you are brainlocked, you are like a dead person, but when you are landlocked, you can still do amazing things in your world.
We are not bothered by landlocked or not! We absolutely require freedom, which is all we require.
Chidiebere Obulose was the author, and Ogah C.S. Maduabuchi was the editor for Family Writers Press International.