By Henry Umoru
ABUJA—THE Sen ate, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to immortalize the late Dim Odimegwu Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, by naming a prominent establishment after him, just as it paid glowing tributes to him.

Also, yesterday, the Senate resolved to send a delegation to commiserate with his family, the people and government of Anambra State, even as it observed a minute silence in his honour.

Resolutions of the Senate came after a motion by Senator Andy Uba, PDP, Anambra South, along side fifty other senators. In the motion, Uba who noted that late Ojukwu was a source of pride for those who had the opportunity to experience him and stood tall against elements of injustice, segregation and oppression, said, “his efforts helped to lay the foundation for national integration, equality and equity, championing Nigeria as one indivisible unit true to the words in our National Anthem.

“Ojukwu seceded south eastern Nigeria from the rest of the country and proclaimed the area a sovereign state with the name Republic of Biafra, on January 9, 1970 and moved to Cote d’Ivoire where he was granted political asylum. As an astute politician he joined the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, and was a member of the 1995 Constitutional Conference that midwife the fourth Republic.”

Nationalist with revolutionary idea

Meanwhile, Senate President David Mark, who described late Ojukwu as a great Nigerian, stressed that at the time he joined the Army, “it was only great patriots that could join and they are very few. When you have a nationalist with radical and revolutionary idea then Nigerians should see his positive side rather that the other side. You cannot mention Ojukwu without the mention of Gowon, Adebayo and Hassan Katsina. People who worked with him learnt a lot from him and some of the disagreement was based on his principle. History would be kind to him.”

Senate President Mark who urged Nigerians to push behind them the pains and agony that came with the Civil War, stressed that those principles and ideals late Ojukwu stood for were yet to be addressed four decades after.

Mark said: “He was a radical and revolutionary leader. At any time in the history of a nation, there must be someone like Ojukwu. People should see the positive sides of Ojukwu. Though we cannot forget the agony and pains that came with the war but we should leave such to history. The history of Nigeria remains incomplete without the mention of Ojukwu’s name.

“Let me say with all sense of responsibility, that someone like Uche Chukwumerije learnt a lot from the man’s style of leadership. The important thing is that as a leader, Ojukwu showed that he was focused, courageous, brave and he loved his people and carried them along with him.

Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu and Bianca at APGA presidential rally at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

There is a lot to learn from Ojukwu’s style of leadership. The history of this country will be totally incomplete without bringing Ojukwu’s name in a very conspicuous manner. I agree with Senator Uche Chukwumerije that the old Eastern region must come together as one to give Ojukwu a befitting burial.”

The Senate President who appreciated the high skilled technology showed during the civil war, was, however, amazed at the accelerated infrastructural and technological advancement of the old Biafran people, adding that it is a pace Nigeria as a nation still finds difficult to keep. He said: “What bothers me and keeps me gazing all the time is that Ojukwu as a leader of Biafra was able to lead Biafra at that time through a major development in technology. They were able to build their own refineries but Nigeria today has not been able to do any of these. Ojukwu and his people were determined and focused and were capable of taking a nation to greater heights.”

Earlier in his contribution, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, PDP, Abia North, who recalled called the traumatic experience of the mid-sixties, the coups and counter coups, genocide, massacres and ethnic cleansing, said: “He lived in Nigeria in an era, when Nigeria was peopled by Nigerians. But with time in the mid sixties, traumatic event took place in Nigeria: coups and counter coups, waves of genocidal massacres and ethnic cleansing. And after the long night of violence and military rule, we found out that Nigeria has changed; that Nigeria is now peopled by non Nigerians and that its territories are now peopled by tribes and ethnic nationalities.

“Our foundational structures are being suspected and what caused the metamorphosis, not just of Nigeria but also the subject of discussion today is simply the neocolonial path to independence, which lays emphasis on coercive use of state power as a means of managing social grievances. This character manifested itself then and it is still manifesting itself today: from genocidal massacres of the Igbos to the Udi massacres, to Katsina-Ala massacres to even what is happening in Borno today.”

Uche who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, said that Ojukwu should be given a posthumous award of GCON and the eastern states should give him a state burial.

Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi, who noted that Ojukwu was born with silver spoon, but decided on his own to associate with the less privileged, said: “He came back from Cote d’Ivoire, he informed that he would fight again but for the unity of Nigeria. He died a nationalist and as an Igbo leader.”

For Senator Smart Adeyemi, PDP, KogiWest, Ojukwu was a courageous and intelligent person with strong strength of character. He said: “When we were young in the village anytime we heard about Ojukwu we thought he was a spirit because of his courage and intelligence. He was destined to sacrifice for the greatness of the country.”

Also in her contribution, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, PDP, Abia North, who described Ojukwu as fearless and courageous man that was prepared to give his life for the Igbo people, said she admired Ojukwu’s belief in Nigeria as an indivisible entity devoid of injustice and oppression. He added: “One thing I have learnt from the existence of Ojukwu was that he was one who believed in something and pursued it to a logical end. He had a will to bring around his people to believe in his vision. This is missing in today’s leadership. People express displeasure in the way resources and equity of this nation are used.

“He had believed that if the entire nation or leaders could not remember that this country has east, west and north and south and that resources should not be centred in a particular zone, so many years after, Nigerians are suffering from injustice, inequality and oppression. Ojukwu’s death calls for sober reflection.”

Senator Bukola Saraki, PDP, Kwara Central, said: “I stand to celebrate the man Ojukwu and his virtues. Right from his early age, he showed much wisdom. As he moved on in his life, he stood for what he believed. We should all borrow a leaf from him; stand firm for what we believe is right and go ahead to pursue it.”

Fears and pains

Senator Joshua Lidani, PDP, Gombe South, the earlier memory of Ojukwu was that of a hideous man but according to him, history has changed all that, adding: “My memory of the late Ojukwu was that he personified anything that had to do for the Civil War and all the fears and pains that we had as children during the was.The mental picture we had about him was hideous looking man but after the end of the war, we began to know better and understand the circumstances that led to the war and began to see Igbos as brothers.

Other contributors were Senators Ganiyu Solomon, Abdul Ningi, Hope Uzodinma and Chris Ngige.

For Senator Solomon, Ojukwu took up the responsibility as a leader of his region at the time it was most necessary, adding, “It was the only option at the time, not many will agree but we have different opinions. He was a great man.”

For Senator Chris Ngige, ACN, Anambra Central: “The Ikemba was a great man. He had a vision espoused, suggesting that he came before his time. He should be given a GCFR honour before his burial so that it is meaningful.”