The warlord who led a regional war against Nigeria returned after thirteen years in exile to clamour for peaceful coexistence of Nigerians irrespective of regional or religious affiliation. It was therefore a dream come true for the Ikemba in Zungeru, the city of Nigeria’s amalgamation in 1914 to continue to hold firm to the values of unity.
Forty-two years after the Biafran war and twenty- nine years after his return from exile, the ‘Peoples General’, returned a changed man. Ojukwu was not changed from his conviction for the emancipation of the common Nigerian but changed as a result of a transformed Nigeria, that which was elusive in the 1960’s.
Ojukwu who was adequately misunderstood later in life revealed himself as selfless Nigerian who did not only exist to fight ethnic battles but a champion for the common Nigeria irrespective of affiliation or multiplicity.
Ojukwu whose decision to split Nigeria along ethnic divides decades ago was tested by the tide of time suggesting a breakaway which many prominent Nigerians today would have led if they had the opportunity. Allowing trend of a renewed Nigeria heal the wounds of the past, the warlord turned a peace messiah.
The commencement of his funeral service which started in Zungeru last Saturday, 18th of February the birth place of the Biafran leader witnessed encomiums from different personalities at the first Nigerian capital city. Those in attendance to eulogise the hero were, the host of the day, Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra and Theodore Orji of Abia state.
While various speakers expressed their respect for the selfless and people oriented life of the great Igbo leader, every single one of them made strong emphasis on the need for a united Nigeria with specific mention of deriving strength from our diversity.
The collage of personalities from different parts of the country especially the presence of leaders of regional forums of governors (Northern Governors Forum and Eastern Governors Forum) took another dimension reflecting a campaign for one Nigeria.
Indeed Ojukwu the Nigerlite who spoke Hausa more than his own mother tongue the Igbo language before leaving Zungeru wouldn’t have wished for more especially as the entire nation struggles along the challenges of ethnic and religious unrests tearing the core of our unity apart.
On the account of the funeral service the Governor of Niger state Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu has vowed to maintain the tradition of treating all Nigerians equal in Niger notwithstanding the ethnic issues taking its centre stage in Nigeria which is turning from bad to worse.
The Chief Servant and Chairman Northern Governors Forum called on his counterpart Peter Obi, the Chair of Eastern Governors Forum to join hands with him in maintaining the balance of unity for a greater Nigeria. Alas the meeting placed the bastion of unity in the firm grips of the Peoples General reflecting peace and unity at the very town northern and southern Nigeria amalgamation took place almost a hundred years ago.
Ojukwu is indeed our true son- the Chief Servant and the Talban Minna expressed smashing off the boundaries of region, ethnicity and religion. If in the north of today a southerner is proudly called the son of Niger state then the healing process from the aching wounds is near.
The Chairman Northern Governors Forum has even concluded plans to set up a befitting monument to honour the Eze Ndi Igbo Gburgburu, just the way the state earlier deed for Dr Nanamdi Azikiwe who is also one of the founding fathers of Nigeria born in Zungeru.
Others fortunate to be born in Zungeru include the prominent writer Cyprian Ekwensi, Chief Mbadiwe and many others. All these personalities are of the Igbo extraction and on the list for immortalization is Cyprian Ekwensi, who may soon get a library in his honour in the town of amalgamation.
Niger state is indeed living up to its expectation as the land which has miniaturised the entire country. It is indeed the best place to start the true moves for a renewed Nigeria free from all forms of pains and struggle. A Nigeria united to stay in peace and collective development.
The oracle is speaking again but only this time the crystal ball shows a greener Nigeria free from all the carnages and pictures of death and pains. Most speakers at the occasion irrespective of which part of the country they came from called for one Nigeria a show that suggests we all need each other.
Most of the speakers maintained at the occasion that it is impossible for Nigeria to splinter on the grounds of the violent agitations. Difficult as their assertion is especially going by the violent trends in parts of the country one is forced to go along with their submission as the occasion took the dimension of a spiritual call to sanctum for a united Nigeria at a place where the country got its foetal life.
The Ikemba who called a section of Nigerians to arms four decades ago is now throwing the olive branch of unity for all irrespective of tribe religion or political affiliation. In death, his call for an amalgamated mind among Nigerians sounds louder than he managed to achieve after he returned from exile.
As his human flesh eclipse from this existence a new illumination heralding an immortal Ojukwu rises just like the Biafran rising sun insignia. This time the ‘Peoples General’ rises to immortal peace, unity and progress for all.
Culled from The Nation
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