Ojukwu’s mausoleum as Mecca

             

Although he is resting peacefully in his grave, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Ikemba Nnewi and Eze Igbo Gburugburu, has continued to attract crowds even beyond his life time. Gradually it is becoming fashionable for people seeking something or those who feel their rights are being trampled upon or better still, people wishing to draw power from the Ikemba to visit the Eze Igbo’s mausoleum.

Such visits was initiated by the National chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh after he was reinstated to his position by Abuja High Court. Then, Umeh had said he had had come to tell the Ikemba his struggles and his victories. Umeh claimed he is the closest political associate of Ikemba and had learnt a lot from him and so each time he goes to the battle and come back, he would go to the mausoleum to narrate the struggle so far.

Since then, scores of other people have also visited the mausoleum. Last Tuesday, November 4 was supposed to be Ikemba’s post humus 80th birth day. Somehow, the date was rescheduled, probably to meet the exigency of the period.

Yet when the date came, there were a potpourri of activities at the mausoleum with those in attendance brandishing their individual agenda. For instance, while students of Odumegwu Ojukwu Polytechnic, Ezinifite, in Nnewi South local government and veteran Medical specialist Dr. Dozie Ikedife came to pay their birthday tributes, Umeh came to talk politics as it concerned Emeka Ojukwu junior, while the Biafran War Veterans Social Welfare Association, Ogbaru branch came to complain about unfulfilled promise the Federal Government made them.

Odumegwu Ojukwu Polytechnic students who came in their numbers gyrated in the arena but because of tight schedule of the day, could not deliver their written address.

On the other hand, Dr. Ikedife had time to read an extensive speech through his son in which he recalled his relationship with the Ikemba and how he piloted the affairs of Biafran through self-sacrifice and devotion of his father’s wealth to the service of Igbo people.

Ikedife also found time to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for giving the late Ikemba a befitting burial fit only for kings and heads of state. He prayed that Igbo will keep the light lit by Ojukwu shinning all the time.

On their part, the ex-Biafran soldiers expressed joy saying they had come to “give honour to whom honour is due. Our mouths are full of thanks to the Almighty God for keeping us alive to meet face to face and have the privilege to interact with our amiable Governor and some of his lieutenants…”

While using the opportunity to congratulate Governor Willie Obiano on his 100 days in office and his programme, especially in agriculture they said their only ammunition is constant prayers for God to continue to give him more wisdom, guidance and defence to pilot the affairs of the state.

They also thanked Chief Umeh for carrying them through even during crisis and commended Emeka Ojukwu Junior, son of Ikemba for his untiring efforts towards in ensuing their “upbringing these past years”.

Having said that, the veterans recalled their encounter with Ojukwu in 2009 when he promised to prevail on the Federal Government to look into their plight. They also recalled hat afterwards they read from Nigerian newspapers that the President has approved N1.5 billion to them and N1.7 billion for militants. However, they lamented that whereas the militants have been paid without delay, they are yet to receive anything despite the fact that Ikemba had appealed to the Eastern Governor to do something.

In an address signed by Col. Bernard Ndu and Lt. Col. Dom Ibekwe, the veterans lamented that “the painful part of it all is that with our youthful age of between 17 and 20 we stood the risk and defended our father land but the sons and daughters of these people we defended never for even one day remembered these old men who made them what they are today”.

Umeh who took their complaint promised that something must be done, lamenting that “some gallant soldiers who fought never survived” and that “our governor will do something”. He also asked them to continue to support the Obiano-led administration and President Jonathan. Umeh also used the occasion to intimate them of the plan of Governor Obiano to give a befitting burial for all the war heroes on the Biafran side.

That over, Umeh took the assignment of that day, which was presentation of Emeka Ojukwu as the candidate of APGA in the House of Representatives election. Umeh had on arrival gone to Ojukwu’s mausoleum where he paid his tribute and “recharged our strength” saying that “Ojukwu guided APGA and fights more in spirit than in the physical”. He added: “What we are saying is that APGA is still on a journey. All those who are challenging APGA especially those who were assisted by the party but who now turned around to claim APGA didn’t do anything for them; we are today affirming that APGA assisted all of them and those who had been victorious got their victory because Ojukwu was the leader of the party.

He then threw a course on them: “We go on Ojukwu’s name and those who benefitted from APGA and now left will always meet failure. They will never use Ojukwu’s name again while those of us still with Ojukwu will go with his name”.

On Emeka Ojukwu, Jr. Umeh said:  “Today we present a replica of Ojukwu. All that his father thinks about Igbo is in his blood.  We are, therefore, presenting him to go for House of Representatives so that he can speak for his people there. I, myself will also go. When I get there I will speak for the Igbo.

Umeh also formerly presented Obiano as the new chairman of Board of Trustees of APGA, saying: “As I told Ojukwu, we have nominated Willie Obiano to be our leader because our former leader absconded. Obiano has proved to be a worthy leader and he speaks for APGA and spear-heads it”.

To all these, Emeka Ojukwu Jr. acknowledged his choice and promised to lead just as his father did saying that his father trained him very well to tow his line. “One thing I am sure of is that Ezeigbo never turned his back on his people. He lived the life of servitude, putting everything his father left for him to the service of Igbo people. That is why I hereby declare I will dedicate my life, whatever I have to this course. I promise the spirit of my father that will never let you down. If you vote for me you are sue I will work for APGA.

Written by Chukwujekwu Ilozue