Igbos No Longer Taken For Granted -Amaechi: As Rawlings, Soyinka, Anyaoku, Others Grace Ojukwu’s Funeral In Enugu …Traders, Close Shops in Rivers, Bayelsa

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was among thousands of distinguished personalities that attended the national inter-denominational Christian funeral rites organised  at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, yesterday in honour of former Biafran warlord and Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

In the same vein, Rivers State Governor, who was among the dignitaries who honoured and eulogised Ojukwu noted that he was a hero who succeeded in creating history as Igbos are no longer taken for granted in whatever form or shape.

The Nigerian Civil War, he said, had been fought and won, adding that Ojukwu was a hero, freedom fighter, hater of injustice and an intellectual of an Igbo stuff.

Governor Amaechi therefore  called on Ndi Igbo to help in building all inclusive society for which Ojukwu struggled and died for, pointing out that, “we must be able to provide a vision Ojukwu will smile in his death”, he stressed.

President Jonathan, who was unavoidably absent was represented at the occasion by the Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo.

In his tribute, President Jonathan noted that since the demise of the great Igbo leader, a lot had been said and written about him, both in local and international media organisations.

According to him, shortly after the dust raised by the Nigerian Civil War settled down, Ojukwu became strong advocate of a united Nigeria, adding that during his life time, he believed in justice, equity and fairness.

The president also made it clear that the fallen hero equally continued to play active role in the advancement of the Igbo nation in democracy.

Others who paid tribute to the icon included the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as well as the host governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime.

Apart from the distinguished personalities who paid tribute to the fallen hero, other dignitaries present at the occasion included former President of Ghana, Flight Lt. Jerry Rowlings, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado-Bayero, Chief Jim Nwobodo, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue. GOC 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General OO Oshinowo, Chief Sonny Odogwu, former Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonnia Onovo, as well as the governors of Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi States, among other important personalities.

Earlier, inter-denominational church service was officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Callistus Onaga, assisted by his Anglican Communion counterpart, Bishop Emmanuel Olisa Chukwuma and other clergy men.

The high point of the ceremony was the laying of Wreaths by some important personalities present at the event which attracted people from far and near, including traders, students, artisans, market women, lawyers, doctors, among others.

Meanwhile, the people of Anambra from all walks of life yesterday gathered at the Alex Ekwueme Sqaure, Awka, to receive the body of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra led other dignitaries in the procession that followed, while Rt. Rev. Alex Ibezim, the Anglican Bishop of Awka, led other priests to conduct a prayer. Ibezim asked God to unite the Igbo race and bind Nigeria together.

In his tribute, Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), commended the accolades made by national and international figures on Ojukwu.

Also speaking, the Nigeria Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. Dozie Nwanna, noted that the late Ojukwu was the most illustrious Nigerian on the soil of the United Kingdom throughout the time he was at the London hospital.

Dr Oby Ezekwesili, the Vice President of World Bank for African Region, said Ojukwu was a leader who personified the dignity of the Igbo people.

In his tribute, former Police Service Commission Chairman, Chief Simon Okeke, described Ojukwu as “human lion and human tank,” noting that in death, Ojukwu’s battle on earth was over, but that the battle he fought was against injustice and corruption.

Anambra Governor, Mr Peter Obi, described Ojukwu as one of the most forthright personalities Nigeria ever had.

Also, former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, in his message, said Ojukwu was his personal friend of 67 years, adding that “when the call is sounded, all must hear, and for him, the call has been sounded”.

Others present at the occasion included former CBN Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, former Secretary-General of Ohaneze, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, former Director-General of MAMSER, Prof. Elochukwu Amuchezi, former Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Pita Ejiofor, members of the clergy and traditional rulers.

The occasion was also graced by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, the five South-East governors and their counterparts from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bauchi States.

Members of the National Assembly, former and serving ministers, former governors, traditional rulers, war veterans and political stalwarts, especially from the zone, attended the event.

The event commenced with an interdenominational church service officiated by the Bishops of the Catholic, Anglican and Methodist Churches in Enugu.

In his tribute, President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by his Vice, Namadi Sambo, said that Ojukwu was a servant-leader who contributed to the political development of the country.

On his part, Rawlings emphasised the need to address the circumstances that led to the Nigerian Civil War.

While extending Ghana’s condolences, Rawlings commended Jonathan for giving Ojukwu a state burial.

In a message at the funeral, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, said Ojukwu would forever be remembered for his courage, boldness, focus and unwavering desire to fight for justice, equity and fair play for his people.

The Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Rivers State Governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, described the Ikemba Nnewi as a freedom fighter, adding that Nigeria’s history would not be complete without mentioning the Civil War and Ojukwu.

The host governor, Mr Sullivan Chime, said that Ojukwu was “born like a king, lived like a king and died like a king’’.

In a related development, economic activities were disrupted in parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State , following a rally organised by Igbos to mark the burial of ex-Biafran warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Areas mostly affected are Iloabuchi axis of Port Harcourt where most of the shops owned by Igbos were shut, the Mile I and III Markets and the Flyover market among others.

The Eze Ndigbo, Rivers and Bayelsa States, HRH Eze Adiele Maduegwu had earlier told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the Igbos in Rivers and Bayelsa States decided to close their shops to join their  kith and kin across the country in the traditional ritual of searching for the dead.

Eze Maduegbwu said that the Igbo communities in the states were mobilising their members to ensure mass participation in the search programme.

According to him, to ensure the success of the rally, the community decreed that any Ibo man who opened his shop would be treated as a saboteur.

Canice Amadi, Enugu

L-R:Acting General Manager, Nigerian Port Authority, Port Harcourt, Mr.Uchenna Ugochukwu, Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport, Rep.Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and member of the Committee, Rep.Jagaba Adams, during the Committee's oversight visit to the port in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.