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A Battle Lost …As Nigerians Unite In Tears For Ojukwu
If heights were allotted men according to their intellectual worth, charisma, leadership mien and indeed the courage to stand for what they believe in, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu should have stood 1000 feet tall and in death posed a frightening challenge to even the most proficient of undertakers. Though not of that height while alive, his memory among those to whom he was a folk hero, mentor, a voice, leader and father-figure, Ojukwu lies even taller.
Ojukwu died Saturday, last week in a London hospital, losing his final battle, a familiar territory he found himself, all through life to death. But in spite of his many battles, first against colonial domination, later against perceived Igbo marginalization, and then for Igbo sovereignty and finally death, Ojukwu never fell short of religious fellowship and died the strongest rallying point of his people.
His life needn’t have been about battles because he was born with a silver spoon and had the privilege of attending the best schools in the world. His father was Sir Louis Phillipe Odumegwu-Ojukwu, one of the wealthiest Nigerians of his time.
Born Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on November 4, 1933 at Zumgeru, Niger State, the youngman schooled in Lagos and as early as age 11, fought a colonial teacher for degrading a blackwoman. Afraid of likely repercussions, he was taken to Britain where he continued his education at the Epsom College, Surrey.
He finished as Master Degree holder in History from the prestigious Lincoln College, Oxford University and on return to Nigeria in 1956 rather than integrate quickly into his father’s vast business empire, he ultimately joined the army after a brief stint as administrative officer in the then Eastern Nigerian Government.
“My enlistment into the Nigerian Army, to say the least, startled everybody in Nigeria who heard of it. I went to Zaria and enlisted. I did that mainly because I did not want any interference from the well-meaning influence of my father. I joined the Army, signed up, but I wasn’t to be spared the embarrassment because it didn’t take a week before my father was aware of it. And he did everything possible to stop my enlistment.
“That is why, despite my educational background, I was not enlisted as an officer cadet. The general idea was that it was agreed between the Governor-General and my father that the best way actually was to let me go into the army, and I would see for myself what the army truly was. I don’t think that they took into full consideration the level of stubbornness I must have acquired from my father as well because I remember that the question always came to Zaria from Lagos, ‘How is he getting on?” Ojukwu recalled in his book, Because I Am Involved.
That self-confessed stubbornness ran through virtually all his official and social affairs from his rebellion and eventual declaration of the Sovereign Republic of Biafra to his later day political exploits and the choice of a bride in Bianca, a former Beauty Queen whose father would never approve of such union.
As complex as he was while alive, Dim Ojukwu remained an icon of various colourations, and thus evoked in many all manner of loyalties least expected of a man that was at the centre of a bloody civil war in which hundreds of thousands were killed, most of them his kinsmen.
For instance, barely a child during the civil war who witnessed with ease some of the unprintable harm, torture and indignation meted to older members of his family, Tunomie Orisikima, grew up with a burning hatred for Biafran soldiers. To him, that name should be dropped from our history like a bad habit.
Orisikima, a professional electrician and ardent faithful of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) recalled how Biafran soldiers had ordered his senior cousins to crawl on periwinkle and oyster shells, for daring to fish around the Bolo Community’s shores. And how, even with their bleeding knees, one of his cousins who could no longer endure the pain and lay tired, was shot at and killed.
But as an adult, Orisikima holds the view that without Ojukwu’s courag to stand up against obvious marginalization, deprivation and under-development, the Nigerian state would not have created the number of states that the federation today parades. Besides, he believes that the Biafran Army in parts of Rivers State were many ways what Ojukwu would never have been because in his own view great men abhor acts of cowardice as the kind he witnessed as a child.
Such is the Charisma Dim Ojukwu evokes even among supposed foes who in spite of countless prejudices of the past stuck to his leadership up until his last days.
Little wonder his death has attracted countless kind sentiments from among many well-meaning Nigerians, including General Mohammadu Buhari whose military administration jailed the fallen ex-war lord with other politicians after the fall of the Second Republic.
To his protégés, Ojukwu’s death is more than a fatal blow. It is the silencing of a dreadful voice, of raw courage and of flawless leadership. Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, the Ikemba’s home state captured the true scenario when in response to the death, said, “Lightening and thunder have been silenced: the rope used for dragging the lion has snapped; the Odenigbo of Ngwo has retired to bed, the hero loved by all is ill at ease, the overall king of the Igbo ewoo! If you retire to bed, what shall we do? Who will roar like the lion when we are oppressed. Ewooooo! Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, ewooooo.”
Such is the high esteem Ojukwu is held by his people.
But his popularity went far beyond tribal borders. In fact, at some point in our national life, one was either for or against Ojukwu and even so, none could deny the wealth of the fallen hero’s intellectual worth, his words of wisdom, his perceived commitment to national unity and integration and indeed his rare love for humanity.
Little wonder his demise has attracted from virtually all well-placed Nigerians very kind sentiments of what the ex-Biafran war-lord meant to a united Nigeria.
In his tribute, President Goodluck Jonathan described Dim Ojukwu as one of the greatest contributors to the evolution of modern Nigeria and one whose love for justice, equity and fairness made him lead the Igbos into the civil war.
Others, including Senate President David Mark, the Governors forum headed by Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Northern Governors’ forum, headed by Niger State’s Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in separate tributes eulogised the Ikemba of Nnewi, popularly called, ‘the Peoples General’.
But perhaps the most touching was that by Governor Obi of Anambra part of which read, “In the traditional Igbo society, the death of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu would be ordinarily announced by the famous Ikoro drum, reserved for outstanding people in the society once in a century.
On his part, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who was Ojukwu’s major antagonist during the civil war expressed shock at the news of Ikemba’s death, saying, “Yes, we disagreed to such an extent but we are able to reconcile and agree again to be able to move forward. So we will miss him dearly and I wish him safe repose in the Lord. I am sure he would like Nigeria to be a better place for all Nigerians in the future.”
On his part, Rivers Governor Chibuike Amaechi described Ojukwu as an “Iconic national figure, a man full of courage whose contributions to the nation in spite of the Civil War cannot be over-emphasised.” Such is the outpouring of national nature.
My Agongy is some are already grandstanding to present Late Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu as an ethnic leader, instead of the respectable national figure he became, years after his return to Nigeria from 13 years exile.
Isn’t it true that the end justifies the means? By last Saturday, ‘yes, it did’.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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