Ndi Igbo in Italy give Odumegwu-Ojukwu last cultural rites

THE South-Eastern States Association of Ndi-Igbo in Padova, Veneto, Italy and the entire Igbo people resident in Italy wish to condole with the family of late Dim Chukwuemka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and the entire Nigerian populace over the demise of the former leader of the defunct Republic of Biafra.The association that draws its members from the five South-Eastern States, namely Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States believes that Ojukwu should be given a befitting burial in accordance with his glorious life on earth. According to the chief coordinator of the association and President of the Anambra State Union in Italy, Ogbuefi Raphael Njirika, 'The death of our hero Ezeigbo Gburugburu Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu who slept in the Lord on November 26, last year is an epochal event.' Ogbuefi Njirika continues: 'In life he awakened our consciousness to stand firm and resolute in the face of antagonism, marginalization and man's inhumanity to man. In death he brings to the fore his foresight that our determination to survive as a race cannot be defeated by external forces or intimidation.'The co-coordinator and Enugu State Union President in Italy, Dan Alum, Ugwuna Awkunanaw stressed: 'It is time for us as Ndigbo to look inward, retreat from our expansionist tendencies and concentrate on developing our own land. Though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, Ndigbo will fear no foe as Ojukwu instructed us in his life. Whoever flees at the sound of terror falls into a pit. As Ndigbo, we will lift up our faces without shame and stand firm in the face of tyranny as directed by the great Ikemba.'In conclusion, Ogbuefi Njirika intoned in Igbo thus: 'Onye ije, jee nke oma' (Sojourner, go well. Your grand dreams will surely come to pass.
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