By Tony Okafor
Igboland, a region rich in cultural heritage and tradition, faces a disturbing phenomenon: the disappearance of vultures.
Once a familiar sight in the skies, these majestic birds have vanished, leaving concerns and unanswered questions.
When did we last see vultures soaring over Igboland? The answer remains uncertain.
However, their absence coincides with the rise of heinous crimes in the region.
As Vin Okpala observed, “Since kidnappings, ritual killings, and organ harvesting began, vultures have witnessed abominable crimes in Ìgbo land and disappeared.”
Vultures maintain ecological balance by disposing of carcasses, preventing disease outbreaks and maintaining environmental health.
In Igbo culture, they are said to hold spiritual significance, symbolizing purification, cleansing, and renewal.
The demand for vulture body parts, believed to possess spiritual or medicinal properties, drives illegal poaching, significantly reducing their population.
Habitat destruction, pollution, and human persecution exacerbate the decline.
The atrocities plaguing Igboland – kidnappings, ritual killings, organ harvesting, blood money, and fratricidal killings – affront the region’s values.
These crimes likely created an environment inhospitable to vultures, driving them away. Their disappearance highlights the region’s moral and spiritual decay.
To address this issue, it is imperative that we combat wildlife trafficking and poaching, protect habitats and preserve ecological balance, promote cultural revitalization and spiritual renewal, and restore justice and security in the region.
The disappearance of vultures in Igboland symptomizes a larger problem: a society beset by violence, corruption, and disregard for life.
Restoring balance requires acknowledging the significance of these majestic birds. Their return would signal a renewed commitment to our values and a brighter future for Igboland.
Let us join hands to revive our land, restore our values, and welcome back Igbo virtues.
Small things can add up.
