Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a partially recognised secessionist state in West Africa that declared independence from Nigeria and existed from 1967 until 1970. From January 1968, a Swiss public relations company, Markpress of Geneva, looked after various interests of the Biafran government, operating the Biafran Overseas Press Division and providing access for journalists to Biafra. While the Biafrans seem to have rejected this offer, it is likely that some conversion did take place (though not necessarily through Rothschild) as Gen. Ojukwu stated in February 1969: We have been fighting the war with Nigerian foreign exchange, plus of course, what we converted or what we acquired earlier on. (Ojukwu, 1969), The reference to what we acquired earlier on, possibly refers to a windfall to the Biafrans in 1967. No matter in what form the notes are found (the remainders are now getting scarce), the notes of Biafra offer an interesting piece of history a piece of African history, and a piece of bank note history. Values in the table above are expressed in CAD. fty thousand. Because 13 tons of the notes arrived in an aircraft registered in Rhodesia, a country with which Switzerland had no diplomatic relations, the Swiss authorities refused to let the cargo be unloaded and the aircraft was forced to continue to Lisbon. Biafra, 1 pound, ND (1968-1969), P-5, UNC a country that existed for 3 years, Biafra 1 Pound (ND 1969) P-5a UNC Banknote - Palm Tree, 5 x 1 POUND 1968 Rep. of Biafra UNC Notes, Same Year, Different Prefix & Serial. For the first series, there are only two known serial number prefixes, while for the second series there are four prefixes. Focus on private sector and workers spearheaded by IFC to mitigate financial and economic impact of crisis. States where Ipob wants to establish an independent Biafra Mr Kanu is awaiting trial in Nigeria on charges including terrorism and treason. The currency of Biafra had been the Nigerian pound, until the Bank of Biafra started printing out its own notes, the Biafran pound. Currency: Pound (1967-1970 . Notes from the missing cache of one pound notes from Benin started appearing in Lagos in October (just two months after they had been seized) and doubt remains as to wh! Of course the shortage of money was not due simply to the loss of the notes carried by Whartons plane, it was due mainly to the near-total withdrawal of Nigerian notes without the Biafran substitute being available. The known prefixes and the number of notes issued is summarized as follows: 5s. The Biafran conflict is well documented, with many works addressing the struggle from both sides. 20,851 Results Certification Year Type Grade Circulated/Uncirculated Condition Price Buying Format All Filters CHINA 1949 HAINAN BANK 1 YUAN BANKNOTE RARE VERY CRISP XF.P-S#1457. Because many of the officers involved in the coup were Ibos, and because the Premiers of the Eastern and Mid-West Region (who were both Ibos) remained unharmed in the coup, it led many to believe that the coup was promoted by the Ibos. The currency spent in the Republic of Biafra 1967 and 1970 has probably entered into the currency market, serving as the legal tender in the market till date. Nigeria is writhing her way through the throes of imminent collapse. It is not known what happened to the Biafran currency that was surrendered, but it was almost certainly destroyed. GOVERNOR - DIRECTOR Lettering: REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA BANK OF BIAFRA Promise to pay on Demand the sum of . ether they were brought back to Lagos by Nigerian soldiers, or by speculators in Nigerian currency who may have bought them at a discount from the Biafrans. When Biafra declared its independence, it was drastically short of equipment to fight the war, despite the declarations of Lieut.-Col. Ojukwu. This evidence includes speeches of leaders, government pronouncements, newspaper accounts and international reactions. Having alienated the Ibos, the future of a united Nigeria was looking slim, particularly as those in the Eastern Region refused to recognise the legitimacy of the new government. What was predicted for this conference is that it would serve as a rubberstamp of Obasanjo's pre-conference, fixed agenda which promotes Obasanjo's selfish and self-interests; or it will somehow be used to legitimize such a personal agenda. Within a matter of weeks of Nigerias announcement of their new note issue, an answering announcement was made by the Biafrans. This, of course, has not escaped the watchful eyes of the US Intelligence which comes out with an Intelligence Report on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) predicting that within the next 15 years, Nigeria will totally collapse. The Bank of Biafra Decree also stated that all property held in the republic by the Central Bank of Nigeria was to be transferred to the Bank of Biafra. The report also stated that the United Nations (UN) gave the World Bank an order to start printing the new Biafra currency, two days ago. What is less well documented, are the many aspects of the administration of the war-torn state aspects such as the establishment of the Bank of Biafra and the issue of the Biafran bank notes. We had to do something quickly to save the near-disastrous situation. Biafra 1968. To make matters worse, one Biafran pound is worth 280 Naira! The movement for the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) is not entirely new to most Nigerians and especially those in the eastern part of the country. Palm tree in centre with sunset behind, all with decorate circles containing words. Authorities say Ipob has been responsible for attacks. This declaration led to the Nigerian Civil War. By Johnniepen (self media writer) | 1 year ago, Rumors have been circulating that the Biafran Pound is now being accepted in Italy since yesterday. Essentially, most of the institutions required for running the new republic existed as part of the Nigerian governments administration for the Eastern region. Most of us are familiar with the Biafra map of between May 30, 1967 and January 15, 1970 (the old Biafra.) In addition, Biafra was reported to have bought many of its armaments in Geneva and Lisbon reinforcing the probability that one or both of these cities may have provided printing presses for the notes. FIVE POUNDS - 5 TT PK 5b 1968-69 BIAFRA 1 POUND PMG 65 EPQ GEM WITHOUT SERIAL NUMBERS! This is a Currency Gallery page and some, most or even all of the banknotes displayed above on this page may not be available to purchase or to photograph. Violent attacks threaten Nigeria's upcoming 2023 elections. The present difficulties started when early last year [1968] Nigeria, on the advice of Whitehall, suddenly decided on its wicked and diabolical plan to dispossess our people of their wealth by means of the notorious currency switch. her currency by more than 80 per cent. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. Manillas are a type of primitive money that were in use in Nigeria for hundreds of years. See each listing for international shipping options and costs. TT PK 6b 1968-69 BIAFRA 5 POUNDS PCGS 66 PPQ TOP POP WITHOUT SERIAL NUMBERS! Don't fall for cheap lies. Beresiner, Yasha & Narbeth, Colin (1973) The Story of Paper Money, David & Charles, Newton Abbot. This prediction is now right on the mark: when Obasanjo gets the Conference report, he can do anything with it and to it. The shield contains the rising sun, plus three manillas linked together over an area divided into three parts, which are properly coloured red, black, and green. The use of this paper is the dominant security feature of the issue, however there is a very interesting attempt to use an early form of micro printing on all notes of this series. The editorial comment is therefore either incorrect (the recall may have been for the interim receipts), or the currency was issued earlier than Ojukwu stated; and one source does give the date of issue as 10 January. 22. Auction 109. The production of our currency notes could not be of the highest quality. (Ojukwu, 1969). Biafra was established on 30 May 1967 by Igbo military officer and Eastern Region governor C. Odumegwu Ojukwu under his presidency . Get the latest news, updates, and video from around the globe. From April 1967 payments to federal-owned concerns (and employees) were stopped, import licenses to the region were with-held, and all foreign exchange standing in credit of the regional government was seized. In his Diary of Events Gen. Ojukwu makes the following entry: August 13 [1968]: The Hank Wharton Plot, hatched by British government and American CIA to sabotage Biafra and help Nigeria to carry through her final thrust into Biafran heartland. Also on the back of the 5-pound note is a picture of a woman weaving on a hand loom. (Although the refinery, if that is what it is, may well have been the one built by the Biafrans at Uzoakoli following their loss of access to Port Harcourt and the coast.) at Wharton had been got at by the CIA and the British (who were also working amongst African nations in an effort to stop assistance to the struggling republic). Did UK police arrest six Nigerians for selling black market fuel? News ), Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. Another of Whartons planes had been destroyed mysteriously in Bissau (in Portuguese Guinea) shortly before this, and another had been impounded in Athens, leading the Biafrans to believe th! In August of that year, just after war had broken out, the Biafrans made a bold assault on the Mid-West region, and meeting little opposition moved to within 120 miles of Lagos. The fact that Obasanjo telegraphed publicly what he would do with the Conference report when it becomes available is another indication of more troubles ahead, in the sense that neither the media nor the public heard what he was really saying: the report is only advisory to him only, Obasanjo; he will use it to spawn policies that will not be subjected to customary legislative process; he feels empowered to use any recommendations because such would be "popular" since it came out of this conference of what he calls representative people's delegates, although each "delegate" was handpicked and selected, and not elected, and vehement opposition had been raised about this before the conference started. ss. Wharton was subsequently fired and a new supply route established. Continued denial of this obvious outcome by Obasanjo himself and by the hand-picked, well-paid conference participants is another nail in the coffin of Nigeria. The secession was due to cultural, ethnic, and economic conflicts among the various citizens in Nigeria. Thank you Notwithstanding, such claims are likely to give rise to unease and toxic debates in the society if ignored. Millions of Biafrans remained homeless, unemployed and bankrupt. The World Bank has rejected a request from El Salvador to help with the implementation of Bitcoin as legal tender. BIAFRA 1 POUND P-2 1967 10 Pcs Lot RISING SUN Bundle CURRENCY NIGERIA BANK NOTE. The first Biafran banknote was introduced in 1968 which replaced the Nigerian currency. The New York Times newspaper New York, U.S.A. (The references in brackets refer to the page and column number of the relevant article. 1967 (ND), BIAFRA 1 POUND BANKNOTE, CIRCULATED. World. However, yet another estimate stated that 30 million were circulating in Biafra at the point of secession, with further reserves of 40 million being held in the bank vaults of the Central Bank in Enugu and Port Harcourt. While the continued acceptance of old Nigerian notes encouraged the continued activities by smugglers, by January 1969 the old Nigerian Pound had become almost unacceptable on the black market, worth only the merest fraction of its face value. The postage stamps were reportedly released on 5 February 1968 (which varies by a week from the date announced by Ojukwu of 29 January) and it would not be difficult to conjecture that the postage stamps and the bank notes were printed by the same printer for release at the same time. Mezu, S. Okechukwu (1971) Behind the Rising Sun, Heinemann, London. Nothing false about it,its merely voter education to guide o okay , thanks for the cross checking , i will verify my info okay , thanks for the cross checking , i verify my informati Hello FACEBOOK, this is not false information. The flag of the former Republic of Biafra is a horizontal tricolour of red, black, and green, with a golden rising sun over a golden bar in the middle. Rumours as to what value the Central Bank of Nigeria would place on the Biafran notes became widespread, with many believing one rumour that twenty Biafran pounds would be given the value of one Nigerian pound. 5 The People's Bank of China is aiming for widespread domestic use of the e-CNY, or digital yuan, in 2022. -catalogue-33.html) References: P# 5 . PEACE - UNITY - FREEDOM See Details. The banknotes have various back designs. He left for exile in Ivory Coast and spent many years in the . While the coup was unsuccessful, it resulted in the deaths of the Prime Minister of Nigeria, the Premiers of the Northern and Western Regions, the federal Minister of Finance, and a number of senior army officers. With these two decrees the financial framework of the Bank of Biafra was established, but there was still a more important problem to be faced that of financing the war. TT PK 5b 1968-69 BIAFRA 1 POUND PMG 65 EPQ GEM WITHOUT SERIAL NUMBERS! Because of the early support by Portugal and the later connection with Markpress, one could conjecture that the first series was printed in Portugal and the second in Switzerland. Since the rumour began to circulate, I have conducted thorough research into it, and I have discovered that the rumours that have been circulated are false news. The Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development . Now, the United States is the latest to signal "urgency" in researching a potential digital version of its dollar via a Central Bank Digital Currency, or CBDC. By that same decree, Nigeria currency notes will cease to be legal tender in Biafra. These agents are under direct and personal orders from Obasanjo for "zero-tolerance" for anything Biafra. 1 - 5, Lettering: Promise to pay on Demand the sum of Europa Year Book (1968) Europa Publications, London. The cases were due to be loaded on a flight to Accra in Ghana. Records of the introduction of Biafran currency, which might confirm the dates in question, are few and far between. When the Nigerian government announced that the old currency would no longer be legal tender after 22 January 1968, there were frantic efforts by the Biafrans to exchange their holdings. To purchase military equipment on the open market, Biafra had to have foreign exchange, and the efforts of the Biafrans to obtain this foreign exchange were quite exhaustive and quite varied. A series of coins was issued in 1969; 3d, 6d, 1/-, and 2/6 coins were minted, all struck in aluminium.In February 1969, a second family of notes was issued in denominations of 5/- and 10/-, 1, 5 and . 1 pound (B102a, P2) Worth: $2.50 - $10.00. Akpan, Ntieyong U. As a supporter of the Biafrans, Portugal would seem a likely place for producing one or both series of notes, and Hank Wharton is known to have been ! Pick Publishing Corporation (1970) Picks Currency Year Book 1969, New York. Latest World news news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice The reports indicate that Rothschild was prepared to pay twelve shillings and sixpence in British currency for each Nigerian pound. Whatever the exact date of issue, the quote above does show that, following Nigerias announcement of their new note issue, Biafra continued to collect as many Nigerian notes as possible before the notes could no longer be redeemed. Keesings Publications Limited Keesings Contemporary Archives Volume No.XVI 1967-1968 London. Several years later, in 1963, Nigeria became a republic, but it was being plagued by power struggles; and, like so many modern African nations, these power struggles centred around ethnic groups. BanknoteBuys.com; Compass Collectables . Published on 07 November 2019. (1972) The Struggle for Secession, 1966-1970, Frank Cass, London. The Data Catalog is designed to make World Bank's development data easy to find, download, use, and share. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members. In the old map many natural Biafran geographies were excluded such as Biafra lands on the west bank of the Niger. The second coup was successful, and resulted in northern officers taking control of the country and forming a new government led by General Gowon. 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