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May God grant Dim Ojukwu eternal rest

Published by Nigerian Compass on Sat, 10 Mar 2012


The demise of the Late Biafran Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu marks the end of an era in the annals of Nigeria. Not since the death of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo has any Nigerian been accorded such honour given to Dim Ojukwu.Late Dim Ojukwu meant different thing to different sections of Nigeria. To some, he was a rebel who wanted to dismember the nation, but to the Igbo who experienced pogrom in Northern Nigeria in the 1960s and those who are victims of xenophobia in the north of the country, Ojukwu is seen as a liberator.There is no doubt that Nigerian state and Nigerian elites including Igbo treated Ojukwu like a pariah. The sudden change of heart after his death, which culminated in encomium, tributes and eulogies, shows the hypocrisy of the Nigerian state and its elites. It equally shows that Ojukwu's role in nation building was distorted.The Igbo's elites particularly the governments of the south east states, except Peter Obi, who are now identifying with Ojukwu in death are the greatest culprits, as they never gave him any such recognition in his life time or identify with his cause.Going down memory lane, when Ojukwu was pardoned by President Sheu Shagari in 1982, he contested for senator of the Federal Republic, was he not stopped by the same people eulogizing him today' Also, when he contested for President of Nigeria in 2003, he came distant third and even lost in Igbo land. His political party, all progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) was able to win a state, Anambra after much persuasion and good standing of the (APGA) candidate, Dr. Peter Obi and prolong legal battle. This is unlike the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, although, he was a threat to the Nigerian parasitic elite, there was no time he contested election or sponsored people that he did not make an impact, particularly in Yoruba land. These were few of the evidences to show that Ojukwu was not revered when he was alive by those who are praising him to high heaven in death. I doubt whether Ojukwu was a recipient of any national award or whether any institution in Igbo-land was named after him. All being said, Col. Ojukwu's place is assured in History, in spite of how he was treated by Nigerian State. Like the Biblical Moses, Ojukwu selflessly stood up in defense of his people against oppression, persecution and tribulation. He also attempted to establish a nation-state for the Igbo, where they could fulfill their density, but the dynamics of the time did not favour it. However, he was able to enshrine in the minds of the Igbo, the concept of self determination-a cause which has never been known to have failed in history, it may take time to be realized, its success is guaranteed. Life and times of Ojukwu should serve as lessons for our leaders that there is limit people could tolerate oppressive rule. There is no doubt that the grievances of Igbo, which forced Ojukwu to take up arms against Nigeria still persist today: Inter-ethic suspicion, marginalization, hatred, anger, xenophobia, bad governance, corruption, looting etc. This means that like French Bourbon in the 19th century France, Nigerians have learnt nothing and forgot nothing. It behooves, the federal government to listen to the advocates of either sovereign or national conference. Convoking a conference would afford different nationalities opportunity on a table (round or square) to discuss and agree on terms for Nigeria to co-exist; this is one of the panaceas to Nigerian crises.May Lord grant Dim Ojukwu a deserved eternal rest. Adewuyi Adegbite Apake Ogbomoso.
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