Ndigbo in Rivers State came out in their numbers last week Thursday, March 1, 2012 to pay glowing tributes to their fallen hero, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. In their separate speeches the “Onowu” (Prime Minster) Engr. Ray Anajemba who incidentally hails from the same Nnewi of Anambra State said Ojukwu deserves every honour paid him because he shunned his father’s wealth and comfort but chosed rather to identify with the poor and down trodden in the society.
He also made it clear that against insinuations from certain quarters the late Odumegwu Ojukwu has never been involved in any military coup in Nigeria as an intellectual who believes in one indivisible Nigeria, adding that the Aburi, Ghana accord agreement which still stands the test of time is an eloquent testimony to this, fact.
The President General of the United Igbo Community, Rivers State Chief (Engr) O. I. Ezenekwe stated that the immense sacrifice Ojukwu made to defend his people against extermination is what endeared him most to his people even to generations unborn.
He said also that nothing was too big to honour Ikemba whom he described as an apostle of true federalism.
According to the Chief Executive of Focal Hotel, Mgbuoba, Port Harcourt, “all markets, shops and business ventures own by the Igbos were closed down as a mark of respect to Ojukwu as was the case all over the country and beyond, adding that the tributes and adolations for the peoples’ general cut across party and ethnic barriers, showing that the people are hungry for good leadership no matter which section of the country that is ruling.
HRH, Eze Adiele Maduagwu Eze Onunekwuruigbo III, Rivers and Bayelsa States used the opportunity to advise his people to have the blood of Ojukwu infused into their body as a selfless, incorruptible and patriotic Igboman in words and deeds.
While pledging not to disappoint the “Dikedioranma” who installed him personally four years ago, he made it clear that nobody toys with the ethnic group which he noted is the life wire of the nation and goes scot free, adding that the Biafran experience has taught Nigeria a big lesson.
Highlights of the occasion was the “holy communion” he administered from an imported gun-like gin which he ensured reached all the dignitaries as well as the display of various masquerades and cultural troups from the different chapters of the United Igbo Community in the state in a competition he instituted for a given prize.
Apostle Eugene Ogu and wife of the Abundant Life Evangel Mission (ALEM) led other ministers of God including catholic priest of Igbo origin to the occasion.
There was also a pronouncement that the 2nd of March, every other year will be kept sacrosanct as a mark of further respect by the Igbos to Ojukwu and that November 26, of every year too (the date he died) will be set aside for their new yam festival for additional unification purposes. Besides, Eze Maduagwu and his (Council of Chiefs as well as the Eze Udos (peace makers) also went to Nnewi last Tuesday, March 6, 2012 to pay their own condolence visit with the popular Ijele masquerade from Ozubulu and the dangerous Ajofia Nnewi masquerade.
Penultimate week the Rivers State government had a public lecture in honour of Ojukwu. At the occasion many Nigerians including Gov. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi paid glowing tributes to the fallen hero.
The remains of late Odumegwu Ojukwu was finally laid to rest in his home town Umudim in Nnewi, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra state last Friday, March 2, 2012 amidst pomp and pageantry, with full military honour.
Many African leaders including that of Ghana Haiti and Cote de Voire where he spent his days in exile as well as our own Goodluck Jonathan were in attendance to pay their last respect to the fallen Igbo leader ####
Joe Kalu
