BY TONY EDIKE

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, acknowledged the contributions of the late former Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu towards the unity of the country describing him as “a rare patriot and humanist.”

The president, who was represented by Vice PresidentNamadi Sambo at the national inter-denominational funeral rites and lying-in-state for Ojukwu at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, said he had no hesitation in describing the Ikemba Nnewi as a rare patriot because his life epitomized enduring love for his country.

“Ojukwu was indeed a rare patriot because his life epitomized enduring love for the country he belonged to and a special place of Nigeria a relentless critical love, critical because he wanted to be the best he could be, a civil, just, prosperous and a united nation where no one is oppressed and a rare humanist because his love for humanity was particularly defined by self sacrifice,” President Jonathan said in a special tribute in honour of the late Igbo icon.

According to him, Ojukwu’s contribution in the nation’s political sphere cannot be overlooked, stressing that after his ordeal, he (Ojukwu) continued to play a major role in the advancement of the Igbo nation in a democracy.

“Ojukwu has played significant role in Nigeria’s  return to democracy since 1999, the Fourth Republic.  He has contested as the presidential candidate of his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA for the last three elections and until his illness, he remained the party leader, the party that was in control of two states and largely influential among the Igbo ethnic area of Nigeria.

“I feel honoured to have been chosen to lead the Federal Government’s delegation to identify with this rare patriot and humanist on this day of his interment.  He merits this gesture even on account of his great effort in ensuring that our country finds and maintains its moral bearing as a political entity.”

The president said he was committed to ensuring that all the wounds of the past were healed completely and that “we do not ignore the lessons of the past as we strive to build a great nation that justifies the labour of our past heroes, Ojukwu inclusive.”

Continuing, President Jonathan said that the achievements that set Ojukwu apart and which had made him  subject of “edifying posthumous commentaries”, though undeniably solid were far from personal.  “They were solid altruistic achievements of a man whose life epitomized love and self sacrifice.  For only such love could explain  his preference for the great risk involved in the leadership role he assumed in his lifetime to the privileged background into which he was born,” he said.

 

Recalling how Ojukwu sailed to leadership limelight and how “he reluctantly accepted the role that perhaps most critically defined his place in the history of our country”, the president also noted how the late Biafran leader, “despite his reluctances, he acquitted himself quite historically, heroically while fulfilling that role, not withstanding the difficult odds that stood against his side” during the civil war.

“We are also aware of how after the dust of hostilities had settled, he became strong advocate of a united Nigeria.  All these governed by the same ideals of justice and fairness to all which were the hallmark of his vision as a patriot of humanists,” the president said.

In his tribute, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said that Ojukwu would ever be remembered for “his courage, focus, boldness and unwavering desire to fight for justice, equity and fair play for his people.”

Gowon whose tribute was delivered by Professor Benjamin Marere, Coordinator of Nigeria Prays, said that “Dim Ojukwu loved Nigeria so much, he merely wanted to opt out over perceived injustice to his people.”

Praying that God grant Ojukwu’s soul eternal rest, Gowon promised to pay a special visit to the bereaved family when he returns from his trip to the United States.

In his tribute, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said the news of the death of Ojukwu struck him not just on account that his exit means a huge void  in the lives of many Nigerians he touched, but also because he was a personal friend.
“All his entire life, Emeka Ojukwu was devoted to the pursuit of excellence in whatever he engaged himself. He was a witty administration, a consummate soldier, an astute politician and unmistakable patriot.  He was also a dignified epitome of stoicism having endured his years in exile with complete equanimity and resilience that saw him excelling in his family’s tradition of hard work and industry,” he said.

The Ikemba Nnewi, Anyaoku further said, “personified service and commitment to his people Ndigbo, that is why he will continue to dwell in their heart and mind.”  “He will also continue to dwell in the heart and minds of many across the length and breadth  of this country for who Emeka Ojukwu was a rare symbol of courageous leadership and political perspicacity . Death has only taken the flesh of Ojukwu but not his ideas,” said the former Commonwealth Secretary-General.

 

Reflecting on the life of Ojukwu and the Nigerian Civil War, the former Ghanian president, John Jerry Rawlings, who led an official delegation from Ghana to the funeral rites, said that the late Biafran leader was a man who stood for equity, peace and justice.

Rawlings said that Nigeria today still faces serious challenges and as the entire nation broods over the unity and political future of the country, the citizens should take a cue from the greatest examples of “General Ojukwu who in the midst of adverse circumstances chose using reconciliation as a first option.”
The former Ghanaian leader who was guest speaker at the night of tributes held at the Enugu Sports Club, however, explained that Ojukwu did not hesitate to defend his people militarily in pursuit of the ideals of equity, peace and justice. He stressed that the circumstances that led to Biafra and the subsequent civil war were very disturbing.
”As a young respected leader of his people, he had to lead sacrificial war that eventually brought to reality to all Nigerians and sowed seed of unity in Africa’s most populous and thnically diverse country,” Rawlings said.
The ex-Ghanaian leader said some of the events that caused the Biafra war have similarities to today’s socio-economic disparities in Nigeria, emphasising that it was only when Nigerians appreciated the “sacrifices persons like General Ojukwu and General Yakubu Gowon had to make in securing peace and unity that would put in place a proper conciliatory posture for Nigeria.”

He noted that while Gowon fight on one side of the war to save Nigeria’s unity, Ojukwu fought on the other side to protect his people.

Rawlings recalled that as a young boy growing up in those days, the people in Ghana never seemed to understand the seriousness of the Biafra-Nigeria war untill they heard the news that the boxing legend, Dick Tiger was to be conscripted into the armed forces to fight on the side of his people. ”It wasn’t until we heard that Dick Tiger was also being invited to be inducted into the officer corps and to fight along side his people that the war began to touch some of us personally. We didn’t know Dick Tiger but he was a man; one of the few or probably the only African who held the middle weight boxing title for such a long time. When we recall the steady manner he took his punches; like I said, that’s when the impact of the war touched some of us,” he said.

Rawlings observed that Ojukwu, as a human being, had his faults but also showed true strenght of character , discipline, innovation and examplary leadership qualitites, emphasising that “as we bid him fare well, it is important that we take advantage of his qualities as proud and progressive people to give hope rather than despair to Nigeria and the rest of the continent.”

Nobel Laurite, Professor Wole Soyinka also showered praises on the late Ikemba Nnewi whom he described as his childhood friend, and urged Nigerians, particularly Ndigbo to emulate his leadership qualities.

He stated that Nigeria’s history would not be complete without the role of Ojukwu, saying rather than mourning his exit, Nigerians should celebrate the fact that in his life, bitterness gave way to reconciliation. Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi thanked the federal government for according due respect to Ojukwu and likened the demise of Ojukwu to the “fallen of a great iroko tree”.

He urged Ndigbo to continue with Ojukwu’s fight for “justice, peace and love for Nigeria”, adding that the death of the Ikemba Nnewi should be seen as an opportunity to unite the Igbo so that they collectively agitate for whatever is their right in Nigeria.

 

In his tribute, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State said: “This great Hero lying before us today, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, is one of those rare enigmas, the discussion of which can never be exhausted or caused to expire. The story of his life is actually a huge collection of stories. It is a massive montage and kaleidoscope of dramatic and historic events.

“Larger than life while alive and even more so, in death, Ojukwu is at once, a historical and iconic personage, an enigma and myth who bestrode his times like a colossus, and who responded to all emergent circumstances in his environment with typical candour and valour.

“There was the touch of the uncommon and sometimes, the unprecedented in everything he did or had put his hand to – his background, education, lifestyle, national service (civil and military), leadership, his courage, his politics,  his activism and so on.

“A man of many perceptions, yet always one with a good cause.  Ojukwu was born a King, lived like a King and died a King. At the same time, he devoted his might and resources to fight for the welfare of the common man.”
Chime said that the people of  Enugu state, understandably, felt more obliged than any other, to take the leading role in his burial and funeral activities for the simple reason that Enugu was and still is the capital of Eastern Nigeria.

“It was also the city that Ojukwu, first as Governor of Eastern Region and later as Head of State of the defunct Republic of Biafra , brought international recognition to as a fortress of self reliance and defence against oppression and genocide in Nigeria. He also not only made Enugu his permanent abode but more importantly, he took as wife, one of its finest daughters. He was indeed a worthy in-law of Enugu people,” the governor added.

The lying-in-state which was turned to carnival of sort by a huge crowd of people from all parts of the South East and beyond, was attended by who is who in Nigeria.

The attendance list:

1.    Vice President Namadi Sambo
2.    Ft Lt. Jerry Rawlings
3.    Governor Peter Obi
4.    Governor Sullivan Chime
5.    Governor Rotimi Amechi
6.    Governor Godswill Akpabio
7.    Governor Theodore Orji
8.    Governor Rochas Okorocha
9.    Governor Martins Elechi
10.   Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe
11.   Chief Ike Ekweremadu
12.   Chief Anyim Pius Anyim
13.   Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife
14.   Amb. Ralph Uwechue
15.   Justice Chukwudifu Oputa
16.    Prof. Wole Soyinka
17.    Alhaji Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano
18.    Chief Emeka Anyaoku
19.    Sen. Andy Uba
20.    Sen. Ayogu Eze
21.    Chief Olisa Metuh
22.    Sen. Ken Nnamani
23.    Chief Jim Nwobodo
24.    Prof. ABC Nwosu
25.    Sen. Uche Chukwumerije
26.    Sen. Ben Obi
27.    Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu
28.    Hon. Mao Ohuabunwa
29.    Hon. Emeka Ihedioha
30.    Sen. Joy Emodi
31.    Gov. Liyel Imoke
32.    Prince Arthur Eze
33.    Sen. Ike Nwachukwu
34.    Sen. Ugochukwu Uba
35.    Mrs Kema Chikwe
36.    Dr. Oby Ezekwesili
37.    Dr. Okonjo Iweala
38.    Mrs. Stella Odua
39.    Chief Emeka Wogu
40.    Haliru Bello
41.    Chief Walter Ofonagoro
42.    Sen. Bukola Saraki
43.    Gov. Isa Yuguda
44.    Chief Sunny Odogwu
45.    Amb. David Macgrey of European Union
46.    A delegation from Cote D’Ivoire