Ojukwu: The Final Surrender

‘Our Father Has Gone Back To The Lord’

He died at the Hammers-field hospital, London about 2.30am London time, says Wife, Bianca

AFTER a protracted and brave fight against stroke, the People’s General, Ikemba Nnewi, Dikedioranma Ndigbo, Odenigbo Ngwo,  Ezeigbo Gburugburu,  Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu  died in the early hours of Saturday in London.

EXACTLY twenty-one days after Ndigbo gathered to celebrate his 78th birthday at his Enugu residence, former Biafran Warlord and Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu finally succumbed to death in the early hours of yesterday.

It was also almost one year after he was flown to a London hospital from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital [UNTH] Enugu, following a massive stroke he suffered

His wife, Bianca in a telephone interview with The Guardian confirmed that the Ikemba Nnewi died at the Hammers-field hospital, London about 2.30am London time.

Ojukwu was flown abroad after several days at the intensive care unit of the UNTH, Enugu on December 23, 2010.

In a statement in Enugu, the leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), said Ojukwu had battled to live, but could not as a result of the serious nature of his sickness.

The statement titled: “Our leader has gone back to the Lord,” the APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh said: “We lack words to describe our grief at this moment, but we give all thanks to God for this rare gift of a human being, who lived an uncommon life of selfless service to humanity.

“Our deep condolences go to his wife, children and other members of the Great Sir Odumegwu-Ojukwu family of Umudim Nnewi, Ndigbo and all Nigerians. We take solace in the assurance of resurrection given to us by Christ. His life of bravery and rare accomplishments should be enough consolation to all of us. No doubt, Ojukwu will be greater in death as he will remain a reference point for generation yet unborn,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, messages of condolences have started coming in torrents as prominent Nigerians mourn the demise of Ojukwu who they said gave his all in the interest of Igbo people of the South east.

Former national chairman of the Justice Party, Chief Ralph Obioha described Ojukwu’s death as a great loss to Ndigbo. He said Nigeria will not forget in a hurry the role he played towards the emancipation of the people and instill good governance in the country especially the Nigeria/Biafra civil war.

In his message, the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Southeast, Chief Olisa Metuh said, Ojukwu was “our symbol, our identity and our undisputed leader. For our struggle, he gave his life. He will continue to live in the heart of every true Igbo man for generations to come.”

Also the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) described Ojukwu as the shepherd that has left its flock after eleven months of
ill health.

In a statement by its president, Elliot Uko, the group said, “ we celebrate his life, and we celebrate his journey on planet earth; we celebrate his goodness and we celebrate all that the Almighty God used him to achieve. We are grateful for such a wonderful, meritorious and glorious life; a life he sacrificed for others; a life dedicated to protection and preservation of NdiIgbo since 1966. We are pained that he has left us, but we celebrate his life and we are grateful to God for the gift of Ojukwu to NdiIgbo to Nigeria and Africa. I guess now that the professional obituary announcers will now have a field day; they have been  announcing his passing on for sometime now, I guess they will have a field day now. But Ndigbo are mourning, there is a thick
cloud covering the horizon, there is a cloud over Igboland but we thank God for his life. A life that made a statement, that man should live for others. He lived for NdiIgbo and he died for NdiIgbo.”

Also Senate Committee Chairman on Works, Ayogu Eze said the news of Ojukwu’s death in London came to him as a shock.

He said, “He was a quintessential military officer who knew exactly when to draw the line between war and nation-building. He will number among the few people in the world who after waging war against their nations will turn round to become the most vocal crusaders for peace and unity within the same countries. His active participation in the affairs of the Nigerian nation after the civil war spoke volumes about his faith in the Nigerian project. His aspiration to go to the Nigerian Senate and subsequently to become the president of Nigeria, among many other positions he held, were eloquent indications of his total submission and subordination to the sovereignty of a united Nigeria. He was at the same time consistent in his insistence that his people, the Igbos, be fairly treated in the scheme of affairs within an indivisible Nigeria nation state.”

On his part, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu state has expressed shock and sorrow over the death of former Biafran leader saying that his passage has robbed the country of one her most notable historical and political figures.

The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Chukwudi Achife, described Ojukwu as a foremost nationalist and activist whose contributions to the political and constitutional development of the country are not only indelible but in some ways inimitable.

He further described the deceased as a symbol of the struggle against injustice, segregation and oppression against any group of people in the country adding that his epic efforts had helped to lay the foundation for national integration and the sense of equality and unity that prevails in the country today.

Chime noted that as a politician, Ojukwu had fought fearlessly for the survival and sustenance of democracy in the country, waging a relentless war against electoral fraud and insisting on the establishment of a level playing ground for all participants in electoral processes.

He said Ojukwu was an icon, who despite his affluent background, was never afraid to speak out on critical national issues or challenge policies that tended to infringe upon the rights of the people.

“The history of this country cannot be complete without profound mention being made of the contributions of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

“He was a vocal and forceful advocate against injustice and oppression, an activist who was prepared to risk all including his life, to ensure that the everyone was accorded his rightful place and due. He was a friend to all who believed in national integration and equality of all races. Nigeria will certainly miss him, Chime said.”

NNEWI: Calm, As News Of Passing Filtered In

From Chuks Collins, Awka

Igwe’s Palace Still In Shock

Nnewi, home of the late Biafran warlord, Odumegwu Ojukwu yesterday wore a mournful look. At the large gate leading to the expansive home of the Ojukwu’s, sitting on the Nnewi-Ozubulu-Okija highway, everything was calm and quiet. It was only the gateman, who gave his name simply as Dennis who manned the black painted gate.

He expressed reservations at the news and the reporter’s inquiry, pointing out that similar stories had been broken in the past, but were later found to be false.

He said all the members of the family were away to Enugu, and that he was the only one at home and could not make any serious comment on the leader’s death for now.

Chairman of Nzuko Ora Nnewi, the central town union leadership, Chief Charles Agu-Onyeka said that based on previous rumours of Ojukwu’s death, he only believed it when a relation called him from London to confirm the sad news. He described it as very sad.

Rev Fr. Hygy Aghaulor, who spoke on behalf of the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rev Hilary Okeke described it as a very huge loss to the nation and all men of goodwill.    According to him, “Ojukwu was a man that stood out on issues without any pretence. He didn’t prevaricate. What you see is what you get with him. Nigeria needs such men at a time like this. A time when people talk about Boko Haram and you don’t know whether they mean it or not; talk about the economy, reforms, electricity, development, quality life for citizens, good road network, a lot of things, yet you wont know whether they mean it or not. Nigeria needs men of open mind like Ojukwu, especially now.”

At the palace of Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, the Obi of Nnewi, the palace secretary Prince Joseph Ikeotuonye said it was shocking news.

He said that the monarch was still in shock over the sad news that he was not yet in the mood to make public statement on it.

He also pointed out that the family was yet to formally inform the palace.

The mood all over the town was still business as usual, apparently because the news was yet to circulate. The hustling and bustling business activities in the commercial city popularly called “Japan of Africa” were going on as usual.

But to Hon Tempest Udenze, the biggest headache in addition to the passage of Ikemba is poor condition of virtually all the roads in the community. He was worried that not minding that the late Ikemba was the national leader of the ruling APGA, they didn’t even honour him in life by rehabilitating the roads in his home area. “So, who is expecting them to do it now that he is dead?,” he asked rhetorically.

… Okorocha Leaves For London

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State will leave for London last night to participate arrangements following the death of Odumegwu Ojukwu.

The entire city of Owerri was thrown into sadness when the news of Ojukwu’s death filtered in. Many persons wore long faces, just as other were seen discussing the issue.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday evening in Owerri, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Obinna Duruji, said the governor was deeply touched by the death of the great Igbo leader, stating that he cancelled other state duties to travel to London to visit the hospital where Ojukwu passed on.

He said: “His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is traveling to London this night because of it. He adjusted his programme and left for London this night. His death is a huge loss. The Igbo think tank will be challenged by his death. Ojukwu was one such hero to the Igbo nation. The governor will work with his brother governors in the zone to see he is given a befitting burial.” He said that Okorocha regarded the death as a loss not only to Nigeria, but to Africa.

Meanwhile, the Imo state chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe described the death of Ojukwu as a shock to him, describing the deceased as one who fought to protect Igbo race.