By Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri
Monday, February 27, 2012, started with a strong but not violent wind. This gradually snowballed into an early morning rain that started at about 3.05am in Owerri. The rain became heavier and poured till about 4am.

A youth leader in Owerri, Mazi Damian Nze, reasoned that “this is a sure proof that even the heavenly stars are weeping for the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu”.

The preparation for the lying in state of Ikemba in Owerri was elaborate. Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, was on top of it all, although he appointed a Local Organizing Committee headed by the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Benjamin Uwajimogu.

Schools were closed. Market and government offices were similarly shut. Civil servants were ordered to troop to the Heroes’ Square,  Owerri., where Ojukwu’s corpse was scheduled to arrive about 12 noon but this was delayed.

People got tired of waiting. Some went home, while the diehards, including scores of the members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, remained at the two major points, the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport and the Heroes’ Square. The early morning rain made the weather very clement throughout the day.

Eagle eyed security personnel were everywhere. All persons entering the Heroes’ Square were painstakingly frisked by security men. It was amazing how the high and low surrendered themselves to this exercise before the arrival of Ojukwu’s corpse. Vehicular movement into the arena was restricted but people defied all odds in their attempt to be part of the funeral ceremony of their departed leader.

The story was not different at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport. Virtually every inch of the Airport, except the vital areas, were taken over by anxious people. The waiting game was long and tortuous but they persisted.

Signs of the eventual arrival of Ikemba’s remains became evident, following the touch-down of an aircraft with registration number 5N-BCR at about 2.45pm. Dignitaries like the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Imo leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Martin Agbaso, alighted from the aircraft.

It was a mixed bag at about 3pm when a Nigeria Air Force jet, NAF 917, touched down at the airport. Governor Okorocha and some senior army officers alighted from this jet plane. Many women, who could not contain their emotion, wept like wet babies. Accompanying the corpse was his widow, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, and some of his children.

No fewer than 10 army generals, who were fully clad in their ceremonial attire, lifted the casket bearing Ikemba Nnewi. This was in line with an earlier directive of President Goodluck Jonathan, that the late Igbo leader be given full military burial.

The casket-bearing generals moved in consonance with the military music supplied by the military band that was on ground to add flavor to the event. The casket, which was covered with the national flag, was moved to a waiting military ambulance, NA 459 EO. The convoy then took off from the airport to Owerri municipality.

The entire stretch from Imo Airport to Owerri was lined up by anxious people, who wanted to catch a glimpse of the great man. The Obiangwu-Mbaise-Azaraegbelu-Emekuku-Owerri axis, similarly witnessed scores of people who lined up along the route as early 7.30am. They went home later disappointed because the convoy used an alternative route.

The atmosphere in Owerri was serene. Ojukwu’s corpse made a brief stopover in Government House, Owerri, before being moved to the Ikemba Ojukwu Convention Centre, where a tribute for the late Igbo leader held later in the evening.

The casket bearing ambulance was led by some horsemen. He was laid in a beautifully arranged dais, while the national and APGA flags fluttering close by. The horse drawn cart conveyed only members of Ikemba family. Bianca was clad in black wears, dark eye glasses and a head gear to match. She was supported by the wives of Imo and Anambra State governors.

Those who laid wreaths included Chief Achike Udenwa, Osita Izunaso, Rochas Okorocha, Peter Obi, Justice Benjamin Njemanze, Martin Agbaso, Sir Jude Agbaso, Speaker Ben Uwajimogu and APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh. Representatives of the Governors of Kogi, Kwara, Kano and some other governors were also in attendance. Fire crackers rented the skies thereafter.