Ojukwu Buried In Nnewi

The burial of the late Igbo leader, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, reaches a climax today, as his body was finally laid to rest in the marble-coated mausoleum, designated to host his remains.

Ojukwu’s remains was  interred after a requiem High Mass in Latin that was celebrated by some Catholic Bishops in his country home, Nnewi, within the edifice, measuring about six feet deep and eight feet across, built with aluminium roof and a prominent stained glass design.

Indeed, foreshadowing today’s climax was yesterday’s event at Enugu, where the funeral train was led by Vice President Namadi Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan.

Others in attendance were: the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, ex-Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku.

Ojukwu's body was welcomed on arrival in Enugu with a 21-gun military salute, followed by a service presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Callistus Onaga.

Professor Soyinka, who was detained by the General Yakubu Gowon regime over what was then described as support for the Biafran cause, was slated to deliver a funeral oration titled ‘My friend’ at the ceremony.

The event lived to its billing with many other emminent Nigerians joining Igbo men, women and youths to honour the departed leader.

The state government had declared yesterday a public holiday in honour of Ojukwu. Many participants in the event wore traditional dresses or t-shirts bearing Ojukwu's portrait with inscriptions such as: ‘You Live In Our Heart;’ ‘Great Leader;’ and ‘National Hero.’

Ojukwu’s body was lowered into a grave in his palatial residence, after a requiem mass was held at the next door St. Michael De Arch-angel Catholic Church.

Before the interment, Ojukwu’s body was laid-in-state in his compound, with family members and dignitaries paying their last respects.

President Goodluck Jonathan, accompanied by his wife, Patience led a federal government delegation to the funeral to pay his last respects to the deceased Igbo leader. The president was received by the host governor, Peter Obi of Anambra State. In a condolence message, the president extolled Ojukwu’s virtue of selflessness. “I am here with my wife to pay respects to our leader Ojukwu whose life symbolises service to the people. May his soul rest in peace,” Jonathan wrote in a condolence register opened at Ojukwu’s home.

One of Ojukwu’s heirs, Chukwuemeka Jnr, also paid tributes to his dad describing him as “a hero to all”.

“He was a champion of the people. Someone who stood up when the country needed somebody to stand up; and he did that selflessly,” he said.

The Biafra leader’s son rejected the tag of “rebel” being associated with his dad for spearheading the botched secession of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria, which resulted in a 30-month long bloody uprising.

“My father was not a rebel. My father was a freedom fighter. He was a man that fought against injustice,” said the younger Ojukwu.

The Nnewi town, where Ojukwu holds the revered traditional title of the Ikemba of Nnewi, throbbed as dignitaries from far and near came to honour the departed Ezeigbo Gburu-Gburu – supreme leader of the Igbo race.

Among the dignitaries are the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ihejirika, Emeka Anyaoku, former head of the Commonwealth, politician Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh.

Ojukwu died on 26th of November last year at the age of 78, in London, after suffering a stroke. He is survived by his widow, Bianca and many children.

March 02, 2012