Good Shepherds Movement

Interview on 28th October 2007, with the Good Shepherds Movement President:

Mr. Enyinna  Clement  Amadikwa

1. How did the Good Shepherds Movement come about?

The notion of the GSM came to me at the age of 11 in what appears to be a vision, which until the later years of my life I was not prepared to identify with. In 1990 in Macclesfield, in the North of England, I was opportuned to purchase an antique map of Africa which indicated in reality, that Biafra existed before Nigeria by  hundreds of years, if not thousands, therefore making it an ancient landmark. This realisation instantly made me to recall my visions and my role in the restoration of what is Biblically an ancient landmark.  In 1995 I met up with a fellow Biafran Mr. Nnamdi Nwokedikwa who appeared to have been inspired by a similar vision we collectively started to formulate the ideology of what is today the GSM ideology. Unfortunately in 2004,  Mr Nwokedikwa fell ill.   I then sought some like -minded people and they were the following individuals: Mr. Emmanuel Obasi, Mr. Okechukwu Ifeachor, Pastor Peter Ebringa, Mr. Enyioha Opara, Pastor Victor Iwuoha, Mr. Alex Anyawu and  Mr. Chukwu Emeka (Biafra).

It was agreed at the inception that the organisation will be an ideological movement that will remain non-violent and non-confrontational and the humanitarian aspect of it should be established.  Many names for the group were put forward, of which I recommended Good Shepherds Movement, which was unanimously accepted by the members. It was our objective to help improve the socio-economic welfare of our people here in the UK and millions of our people back home who are being strangulated by poverty and political marginalisation. It is a collection of my vision as a child and the reality presented to me by the map and the present deplorable condition of my people that brought about the establishment of the GSM.

2. Who is a Good Shepherd ?

In a nutshell, Jesus Christ is the first Good Shepherd. Any person that can spend their time, money and effort to defend the cause of justice for the oppressed without expecting reward is a Good Shepherd to me. In the current Nigeria - Biafran dispensation anyone that is against corruption, bribery, nepotism, tribalism, 419, drug dealing, anyone that does not advocate tribal aggression against Hausa, Yoruba and any of the other Ethnic groups in Nigeria as a means to restore Biafra is a Good Shepherd.

3. Why is your own notion of Biafra not about tribe?

The notion of the GSM arose from the idea that Biafra is an ancient landmark of which no-one has the right to change. God said in Proverbs, Chapter 22: Verse 28  -  "Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers". To us Biafra is a spiritual statement and is bigger than a single tribe. We believe that the desecration of this ancient landmark has brought a curse on the people which has resulted in a lack of progress in both the nigerian region and the ancient Biafran landmark even in the best effort of the people.

4. What do you think about the so-called Biafran Government in exile? 

While we recognise the efforts of our brothers and sisters around the world in the campaign to restore Biafra we are also mindful of the fact that God has stirred up the minds of the people for this great event. We believe that the craving for Biafran freedom is manifesting in different quarters and in the mind of many individuals from different perspectives. To the GSM we  believe that we need to work with our brothers in different ethnic groups in Nigeria and have peaceful dialogue on the issue of the restoration of the ancient landmark of Biafra, which would be beneficial to all.

5. Why are you against war and confrontation with Nigeria?

In war both sides lose. The Biafran people cannot afford to go to war again because the last war cost us the lives of millions of people and also material wealth. Already the trading enterprise of the Biafran people has spread across Nigeria and many parts of West Africa, we cannot afford to jeopardise it by conflict, but we will have to use it to strengthen the economic and political bloc of the Biafran people. Only this strategy will give us a lease of sustainable growth within the West African sub-region.   Wars and confrontation will not necessarily assure the restoration of Biafra but it could set back the economic growth of our people. Many of the Biafran community are trading communities. We need to trade with our neighbours therefore an act that could project a notion of confrontation or war should be avoided as God has His own design and plan to restore in full glory the household of Efraim, which is Biafra as prophesied in Zephaniah, Chapter 3, Verse:  9-21.

6. Why is the Good Shepherds Movement not critical of Britain on its role in the Biafran - Nigerian war?

We are of the view that it is not of the interests of our people to continue pounding Britain with criticism of their role which impaired the sovereignty of  Biafra. We recognise the fact that the British role had adverse effects in the past on the Biafran people. But now we should be asking questions and finding answers on why, what should have been our natural ally went against our interests. We should now identify what has changed in the world since the 1970's and identify how we can positively engage Britain for the benefit of our people, the Biafran people, the Nigerian society and West Africa in general. Britain does not have to be educated on the fact that the formula for the Nigerian experiment has some anomalies which are not to the interests of Nigeria, nor Britain or Africa in general. So continued criticism of Britain by Biafran campaigners is not strategically helping our cause.

7. Is the Good Shepherds Movement in contact with the Israeli Government? if Yes, what are the benefits, if No, why is the GSM pro - Israeli in posture?

Israel is a sovereign power with a diplomatic relationship with Nigeria which is an independent sovereign government. The GSM is a voluntary organisation with no diplomatic relationship with Israel or any other Government in the world. It might appear that we have pro-Israeli posture because it has been passed down to us that the Biafran people (Igbos) have a historical heritage with the Hebrews of Israel.

8. What is your vision of your Biafra? and what does it mean to the citizens of Nigeria and Biafrans in Nigeria?

My vision of Biafra is a community at ease with itself, progressive, democratic and forward looking where every one is equal before the law. Biafra would be a prototype of what a modern, progressive African country should be.

To the Biafran people in Nigeria, Biafra should not result in an exodus nor relinquishment of material wealth, accumulated or established in Nigeria, but a collective effort to protect our hard work for the future generations.

9. Why are the Good Shepherds Movement members determined and disciplined?

As a GSM member we hold the view that our movement is inspired by God, to restore an ancient landmark in which the name of God of Israel will be pronounced. Our disciplined outlook arises from the fact that indiscipline has contributed to why the nations of our adversaries in Africa are ungovernable. The consequences of which are inequality, corruption, abuse of power, hunger and poverty, under-development and numerous forms of undesirable behaviour.

10. What do you think will be the Nigerian Government's reaction to the Good Shepherds Movement ideology?

If Nigeria is an emerging democracy as we are meant to believe their reaction to the Good Shepherds ideology will be positive.

Interview on 28th October 2007, with the 

 Good Shepherds Movement General Secretary:

Mr. Ezesinachi Dominic

1. Who is a Good Shepherd?

A Good Shepherd is someone who selflessly commits his or herself to the freedom and redemption of his/her people. Bearing in mind that he is better off than those he is fighting for. For instance, Christ is the first Good Shepherd, He left the splendour of Heaven came down to Earth and died for us sinners.

2. Why are you a member of the Good Shepherds Movement?

I am a member of the GSM because I believe I am inspired by God to contribute or partake in the achievewment of the Sovereign State of Biafra.  It is important to note that Biafra is the word of God. The rise of Biafra is prophesied in Zephaniah, Chapter 3: Verse 9-20.

3. What motivated you to become a Good Shepherd member?

As a Christian my standard is the Bible. And based on the fact that the GSM ideology is based on the Bible I consider it spiritual, therefore I am happy to be part of it.

4. What is the effect of the GSM on its members?

The word 'shepherd' is unique and spiritual as it is Biblical. It helps in rebuilding and restructuring the people, which has been embedded by corruption, therefore the principles of the organisation brings discipline into the people.

5. How free do members feel to air their opinions?

The GSM is an ideological movement and therefore we members bring our ideas out together to achieve our goal.

6. What will the success of the Good Shepherds Movement mean to its members?

The success of the GSM will mean freedom to the Sovereign State of Biafra or a complete redemption and positive reformation to the people in the Biafran geographical zone.

7. How will the success of the Good Shepherds Movement contribute to the continuous existence of humanity?

The success of GSM will contribute to the success of the continuous existence of humanity because the ideology is Biblical and we do not advocate war or violence. This implies that people will not be dying through war or violence caused by GSM.

8. Can the Good Shepherds Movement contribute to the development of other African nations?

The GSM through superior knowledge intends to produce an ideological structure that will give birth to technological advancement to the African continent.

9. What will the success of Biafra mean to the country of Nigeria?

The achievement of Biafra will also imply freedom and civilisation to the country of Nigeria, this is because two countries sharing ideas together can produce a technological parity comparable to any other part of the world, if well harnessed.

10. Why are you comfortable disclosing your identities in the Good Shepherds Movement?

We are joyfully comfortable with disclosing our identities in the Biafran cause through the Good Shepherd, who is Jesus. The GSM is a voluntary, registered, non-violent movement with its origin and inspiration from God. So therefore, it is an embodiment of wisdom, knowledge and discipline.