Angaladikibo, the Watcher of the Mangrove was at his best, carrying out his pastime. He gazed intently at the Mangroves as he sat down waiting for the appointed time to begin the Waterfronts Parliamentary session. However, something else was gnawing at his mind even as he refused to distract his attention from gazing at the Mangroves. A saying kept repeating itself in his mind, “As you give to life, so shall life give back to you.” Is it true? How do you give to life? In what way will life give back to you? When does it give back? During your life time? At your death? Just when and in what measure?
The thoughts of Angaladikibo was on the unprecedented burial of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Ikemba Nnewi, Dikedioranma, Agunechemba, Ochiagha Ndigbo, Dikeajiejemba, Eze Igbo Gburugburu, the Peoples General, Advocate of the Masses, the Lion of Biafra. He was born a Nigeran, became a Biafran by circumstances, returned to Nigeria and died a Nigerian hero. Never in the history of the nation has a man been accorded such honour. Not even when sitting presidents die. Even the Owelle of Onitsha, Dr. Nnamdi Azikike, a former president of the nation, was not given such honour during his funeral. Ojukwu’s burial was celebrated in the north, was celebrated in the west, was celebrated in the south and was celebrated in the east. Why? Is it a measure of what he gave to life? President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said he was a divine leader. Is it true? Was that why his burial was celebrated even in faraway countries by his people? He was even given the traditional 21 gun salute reserved for presidents!
Many agreed that it was not easy for the son of a wealthy man, chauffeur-driven to school, to abandon his wealth and fight on behalf of others. He could have enjoyed his wealth in several other ways without bothering about the pogrom that nearly exterminated his kinsmen. In fact, he would have taken up any other profession apart from being a military man, the first to enlist into the army with a master’s degree. Gen. Yakubu Gowon and General Olusegun Obasanjo, all former heads of state did not attend his funeral, but it needs no soothsayer to tell that they would never have such honour in their death like Ojukwu.
According to Prof. Sylvanus Cookey who worked closely with Ojukwu, “All that he wanted was a restructured Nigerian nation that guarantees security, equity and equal development of its component parts. Had the federal structure canvassed at the aborted Lagos conference and stipulated in the Aburi Accord been faithfully adhered to, Ojukwu would not have proclaimed Biafra and the civil war could have been averted.”
Mr. John Nwanmuo a political scientist, on his part said, “Ojukwu effectively combined his charm, brilliance and charisma during the period he led his people to etch his name in their hearts. He might not have established farm settlements and built infrastructure as Okpara did, or built a world class university as Zik did, but he gave the people what most other leaders have failed to give them- confidence in leadership.”
The Director of Information, University of Azikiwe, said, “In death he has become everything. Nigeria is not used to looking the truth in the face and saying it. Dim was examplary and devoted to justice. We should learn lessons from his selfless life.” And what are the lessons to be learnt? “We must move beyond mouthing of slogans about how Ojukwu was married to justice to turning those ideals into what will be of benefit to humanity by living them out,” stated Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state, as the lesson to be learnt from the life and death of Ojukwu.
The mind of Angalidikibo, the Watcher of the Mangroves, kept on ruminating on the unprecedented funeral accorded to Ojukwu by the People of the City. Were they faking it? Is it really from the depth of their hearts? Why should they do it if they did not mean it? Did any force compel them to do it?
The Ohaneze Ndigbo in South African said Ojukwu was a courageous and detribalized Nigerian. “In line with our aim and objective as the umbrella organization for all Ibos in South Africa, we decided to celebrate the life of the man Ojukwu as is being done globally by Ibo communities. The man Ojukwu was a great Nigerian known to have fought for the unity of the country. The circumstance which led to the civil war should not reduce him to a tribal leader. As at the time, he had no option but to fight for the preservation of the lives of his people. His was more of a Nigerian leader thou a tribal leader. He was a great Nigerian who came, saw and conquered,” said Ohaneze Ndi Igbo in South Africa. The president of Nigeria Union, South Africa, Jason Osuafor, said “He was a man that fought for his people, he lived a well-accomplished life. He was a great intellectual and he got a great presence among his people. His engagement with our people when he led us during the civil war showed that he was a committed Igbo man,” while the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, South Africa chapter, Sam Iweka said, “He was a man who epitomized lots of courage, vision and uprightness. He was among the very few Nigerians that understood the nature of federalism. He fought and maintained his stand despite all forms of distractions. It is those who don’t understand that who see him as a tribal leader, but that will be belittling the status of the man in question.”
Dr. Dozie Ikedife, former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, said Ojukwu was one of the greatest Africans that ever lived and that in the history of Nigeria and Africa, no funeral has been like that of Ojukwu. He went further to say, “He was celebrated in America, Europe, Asia and Africa. If Nigerians can learn from what he stood for-equity, fairness and justice the country will be better for it.”
The Oldman of the Waterfronts got up. The appointed time has come and the ancestors must be appeased before any proceedings. He stretched his left hand and picked up the bottle of the local white brew. His right hand went for the little glass cup. He filled it and began his call on the ancestors.
“Odumodu, great ancestor of the People of the Waterfronts, he who dwells at the domain between the land and the sea, take and drink. The People of the City searched for you but could not see you. You refused to be contaminated by their evil ways. They do not understand that there is a recorder that records every deed of every individual. No one is left out of the hook. They do not understand the statement of Fitzgerald that the moving finger writes and having writ, moves on. No prayer, no act of piety could cancel a line of it, nor erase any word. Take and drink and forgive them.
“Otumo-Ogugu, Favourite of the Maidens, he who goes in and out of the Maidens detecting the unfaithful ones, this is the time to be in accord with your co-ancestor and let the People of the City know that enough is enough.
“Osokolo, another Favourite of the Maidens, he who pursues the Maidens out of the Waterfronts, urging them to perform their duties at home, take and drink. Join your ancestors to carry out their duties of protecting their descendants.”
The Oldman of the Waterfronts ended his libation, filled the little glass cup and swallowed all.
Okolobo, He of the Creeks, got up to speak immediately the bottle of the local white brew and the little glass cup returned to the table and he was allowed to take the floor.
“People of the Waterfronts, I greet you. I want to ask why is it that the People of the City, particularly those Rivers State are having it difficult to get petrol, I mean, premium motor spirit or whatever they call it? The price has been increased from N65 to N97, yet the product is not available. Instead, the governor of Rivers State, has imposed another burden on the people not to buy with jerry cans along the road sides or filling stations, despite the fact that electricity supply in the state is as erratic as ever? The funny part of the issue is that the labour organizations has not deemed it fit to go on strike to enforce the supply of fuel in an oil producing state. They are waiting for their men to be sacked before calling on the gullible public to assist them to call them back. What is wrong with them? Well, let them be as dormant as a door nail. Time will come when they will be at the receiving end, I mean the leaders.
“What of the labour organization at the national? Will they wait until the probe panel on the petroleum subsidy is swept under the carpet before they shamelessly call out people with a view to being settled? I rest my case.”
The Oldman of the Waterfronts filled the little glass cup and swallowed all. ####
By Kenneth Amabipi
0803 668 7846
Email: kennymaps@yahoo.co.uk
