Dim Chukwuemka Odumegwu Ojukwu, hero of the Biafran war, had many appellations among which are the People’s General, Lion of the Tribe of Biafra, the Hero’s Hero, the General’s General, Dim, Ezeigbo Gburugburu.

My husband, as you all know, was taken to the United Kingdom on 23rd December, 2010, after suffering a very serious stroke. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank everyone who came to the hospital to visit him, to pray for him.

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.”

Among the several stories that have been written about Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the piece I found particularly compelling was an archive interview republished after his very unfortunate death on November 26, 2011. Asked how he would like to be remembered, Ojukwu’s reply was poignant: “I would like to be remembered as a statesman; not just as a rebel leader.”

The Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Benjamin Njemanze, who spoke in impeccable Owerri dialect, went philosophical in his tribute. He did not say much but went down memory lane. He wondered why some of the people, who betrayed him during the war are today pretending to be aggrieved by his demise. He wished Ojukwu well as he journeys back to his Creator.