Ojukwu: The face of Igbo spirit

By Nzuko Ndigbo Germany Monday, February 13, 2012
•Late General Odumegwu-Ojukwu
Photo: Sun News Publishing

Like fading pictures in a photo album, some memories remain in the mind long after time has erased details of the events. So it is for Ndiigbo with the final bye bye for our one and only Dikedioramma (beloved hero), Eze Igbo Gburu Gburu & Ikemba Nnewi – General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Gen. Ojukwu´s death brings back the very painful memories of the Biafra-Nigeria war to which Ndiigbo lost over one million people.

Ndiigbo fought alone with honour and with God on their side survived Nigeria and its allied forces including Britain , Russia , Egypt , etc. The fact that we (Ndiigbo) survived the war means that Ojukwu can not die, he lives for ever.

Odumegwu Ojukwu is a natural born leader to whom Ndiigbo enthusiastically endorse as their leader. If, as Shakespeare wrote, what´s past is prologue –and it often is, then Ojukwu´s political history is particularly relevant now. Although the war ended on January 15, 1970, its no longer news that the very things which precipitated and necessitated Igbo secession have remained, nonetheless in their multiplied dimensions.

On Aburi we stand, Ojukwu´s sincerity of purpose and courage were on full display at the ABURI Conference Ghana , where he outlined a road map for Nigeria to avoid war and make progress like other countries. Nigeria instead chose the opposite. To defend his people, Ojukwu declared the state of Biafra and therefore become the poster face of Igbo spirit of self-determination and never say die. One surely cannot mistake the passion and depth of Ojukwu´s appeal to our people.

Gen. Ojukwu showed competence, integrity, professionalism and a command of respect among his colleagues and distinguished him. This he demonstrated by his ability to inspire and motivate the Biafran masses, students, engineers, scientists, diplomats, technocrats etc in a war of survival.

Odumegwu Ojukwu wrote his own tribute with the AHIARA DECLARATION and Biafran technological break-through, unequalled on the African continent. It takes a genuine leader to tap into his people and get the best out of them.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the People´s General
The Poster Face of Igbo Spirit
We Honour You
We Thank You
We Love You
Sleep Well
Nzuko Ndi-Igbo Germany
(The entire Igbo Community in Germany )

(This tribute is written by Sab Ekeh (Journalist) based in Cologne for Ndi –Igbo Germany in collaboration with Chief Joe Mmeh, Co-ordinator, Gen. Ojukwu Funeral Committee, Germany )

via Daily Sun