Isaac Jasper Boro, a young under-graduate with an extraordinary vocation for revolution, came in to national prominence and a figure in history that dominates minorities lives more that any other person to shape the course and destiny of this nation. Yet, he remains a controversial figure,
enigmatic and elusive: to some a hero, to others an arch villain, a radical to many, a rebel to others; in fact, he was a dragon in his depths. A radical young nationalist who led a revolt against the oppressors to change the environment of the Niger Delta so that man can be man. On 23rd of February 1966, he landed at Tontonbau in the Riverrine areas of the former Eastern region with
one hundred and fifty nine comrades to lauch a guerrilla war against the Federal Military Government of Major-General J.T.U. Aguiyi Ironsi.
Earlier in January, 1966, Boro had proclaimed the Niger Delta Peoples Republic of Nigeria with himself as the Head of State. His mind had
vaulted to the battle fields. He engaged the Nigeria Police Force in a bloody
battle and defeated them. The Armed Forces of Nigeria went into the war and Boro and his men held up the Federal troops for a quite a while. He was, however, defeated by the Federal troops and eventually he was captured, tried and sentenced to death.
At the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War, in June 1967, Boro was pardoned by the Head of State- Lt-Col. Yakubu Gowon. He later joined forces with the Federal troops. He was however betrayed
and killed by a fake Commando from the West. Boro, fought for the cause he had once so bitterly opposed, that is the preservation of the Nigerian
nation. Boro's skill in guerrilla warfare and soldiering were enormous, his courage unquestioned, his
endurance of the sailor who knows the winds and could brave the storm and recognize the tide. He was a brave soldier of 30 who could plot an eclipse, survey a field, plan an edifice, break a
horse, play the violin, and dance the minuet. He was intelligent, quick-witted, disciplined and brave. Isaac was born in 1938 of a humble and extremely cultured family which was highly respected in their own community. He died on May 16, 1968. But even in death and defeat, he was victorious. His death was mourned throughout the nation. He was pure in action, earnest in ambition and fond of study but heaven did not grant him a longer life. He did not achieve many of the ambitions he had when alive.
Nevertheless, he had awakened his people for action against the exploiters. His revolt against the Federal Government led to the creation of the
12 State in 1967. The tree of political and economic freedom of the oil producing people has been planted by Boro and it needs from time to
time the blood of the oppressors and the oppressed to make it grow. It is its natural manure. He had devoted his whole life and strength to the most beautiful thing in the world,
the struggle for the liberation of mankind. He was a patriot too precious to lose or be forgotten. If others forget him so soon, Posterity will not. The Izons remember him not only today,
but always. His noble achievements have been recounted in every village and hamlet and has thus become house hold knowledge through-out
the length and breadth of the Niger Delta. If tears could build stairway and heartache a lane, we would walk a path to heaven and bring him home
again. Today he is a martyr, acknowledge in death than when he was alive. The anger and the sorrow remain. The joy too, even vivid joy to illuminate the loss, that such a man existed, worked to such great effect, changed
to realities the problems of the Niger Delta.
BY TARE-OTU , ACTOR LUGARD
