Rev. Dr. Tony Agbali's Balderdash
by Chika Onyeani

The Rev. Dr. Agbali obviously wrote his reply in a hurry, and I think he
should re-read what he posted here to see whether he is satisfied with it.
However, this forum being what it is and my respect to its organizer
and moderator, it is to the best interest of everybody that we don't engage in this
meaningless diatribe.  If we are allowed to have a bloodbath blood
letting of words, I doubt that Rev. Dr. Tony Agbali would come close to winning the argument.  On
my side, I will ensure that even a tenth grader will understand what I am
saying.  It is not a threat, but a promise!!

Maybe Tony doesn't go back to read what he has written, his personal attacks
on individuals he disagrees with.  When I posted my "reactionary" speech,
rather than debate on the merits of the speech as others had done,
the only thing that Dr. Agbali could proffer was to question my Igboness, and demanded that I
should first of all settle the problems within the different Igbo organiz
ations in Nigeria and the problems in the Anambra State of Nigeria, before I
should have the temerity to discuss the state of the black race.  I
ignored him. So, I don't know who is "using argumentum ad hominem arguments that deviates
from the essentiality of issues."  Pure balderdash, of course.

I believe that Chika Onyeani has definitely earned the right to discuss
African issues without being dragged into ethnic solutions as a prelude to such
discussions.  In 2001, the Secretary-General of the Organization of
African Unity (OAU) in a letter, labeled Onyeani "a true Pan-Africanist who has used the
pages of his African Sun Times to champion the African agenda in America."  In
the same year, Onyeani's tickets and hotel accommodation were paid by the same
OAU so that he could attend the Heads of State meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, in
which African leaders for the first time officially acknowledged the HIV/AIDS
pandemic in the continent.

Chika Onyeani has no need to seek to be the center of attention, because
right now as we write, he is being discussed on several newspapers in
South Africa as well as on television including the CityVision of the Western Cape
Province (in a series of objective reviews of Onyeani's views through his book,
"Capitalist Nigger: The Road to Success"), and on television from
articles written in South Africa best business journal - the Business Day.  When the Premier of
the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government made his maiden speech after winning
the election of 2004, he urged his members of parliament to read the same
"reactionary" speech, as well as "Capitalist Nigger."

So, when I found a fellow African who is doing something - the objective
phrase here is "doing something" - but being cut down as "strutting around
parliaments," my indignation was aroused.  By the way, is there any
other person on this forum who has been giving testimonies on African issues in different
parliaments and the Congress of the United States other than George
Ayittey, Dr. Agbali's "good old friend."  Talk of Marc Anthony and Julius Caeser!!

In the same way that George Ayittey is Dr. Agbali's bosom "good old friend,"
I say to my dear good friend, the Rev. Dr. Tony Agbali, please stop these
innuendoes and personal attacks.  You will only have yourself to blame if you
continue.  Africa's problems are too myriad, and they require our putting our
heads together to proffer solutions, some times though we are arguing
in tin air without the powers-that-be listening.  We should make heroes of those who are
trying to do something, which encourages those would want to do something to be
engaged in the African renaissance.

So, Tony, the ball is in your court, my dear good friend.  I have extended
this olive branch to you, but understand that in making peace you have to be
prepared for war.