Ozoemezina, Memory and the Quest for Igbo Renaissance" Full Transcript of Obiano's Address at the Symbolic Memorial Ceremony for Ndi-Igbo that Paid the Supreme Sacrifice


AN ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR OF ANAMBRA STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR WILLIE OBIANO ON THE OCCASION OF THE SYMBOLIC MEMORIAL CEREMONY FOR NDIGBO THAT PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL UNITY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Protocol

Ndi Anambra ekenem unu!

Nke onye chilli ya zelu o!

My brothers and sisters, today is a great day in our collective memory. Today, we begin the symbolic effort of casting a long look backwards, beyond the immediate horizon of our national experience, to honour the memories of our loved ones who lost their lives to the various dark chapters of our national history. In doing this, we are guided by our belief that life itself is an unbroken stream of experiences stitched together by memory. Without memory, life assumes the attributes of a futile gaze into the void of time! Now before I go any further, let us observe a moment of silence in honour of our brothers and sisters in whose shadows we stand here today.



The Place of memory in Igbo Worldview

Umunnem, as is the case with the worldview of other great nations, Memory occupies a pre-eminent place in the Igbo worldview. Our ancestors believed that a people without memory have absolutely no future. To underscore the significance of memory, they handed us the concept of Ncheta ka – “recall is supreme.” They silently nudged us to realize that life presents us with a diversity of experiences and out of this menu are touchstones that should guide us into the future. These wise ancestors also gave us the philosophy of Onye ayana nwanneya - be your brother’s keeper; which has become the philosophy of our great party - APGA. With this, we are constantly reminded that life’s most enduring experiences are usually shared as a group and that these experiences, though traumatic sometimes; should strengthen our bonds of brotherhood.

My brothers and sisters, we are not alone on this. History presents us with a long list of ethnicities and nations that have risen through horrific experiences to strengthen their ties of brotherhood and re-affirm their humanity through symbolic events like the one we have gathered here today to perform.

Contemporary World Experiences

Ndi Anambra, anyone who is familiar with contemporary world history can liken our efforts here today to Jewish efforts to honour the memory of the Holocaust as well as the recent efforts to commemorate the Rwandan Genocide in Kigali. In the Jewish example, we see the firm resolve of the world Jewry to ensure that the tragic history of the Holocaust is permanently etched on human memory; that the world never forgets! Many major cities in Europe and America have a Holocaust Memorial; built to perpetuate the memory of about six million Jews that died in the waves of anti-Semitism that swept through the world at the time.
Instructively the people of Rwanda have quickly recovered from the genocide that marked the Hutu and Tutsi conflict of the early 90s to build an ambitious economy. They have erected the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre which opened in April 2004 to perpetuate that memory, renew their pact with their past and solemnly declare to themselves and say – Never Again! Sadly, although we share a similar experience with the Rwandese, our attitude to the memory of that sad experience has lacked boldness and organized response.

The Igbo Experience

Umu nnem, it is a thing of pride to be onye Anambra. We are indeed a remarkable people. However, throughout history, there has always been a prize to pay for greatness. Our natural disposition to seek wealth-creating opportunities in known and unknown places across the world and support the local economy with our famed energy has made us imminent targets of conflicts that we had no hand in fomenting.

Ndi Anambra, happily, our brave spirit has helped us navigate the minefields of this experience. We have become one of the most successful black people in the world. We have set high standards in literature, business, the academia, science, information technology, entertainment and nearly every field of human endeavour.

Umu-nnem, we are the owners of a proud history; paved with pain and anguish and watered by the blood of the innocent. Hardly is there a family in this gathering without a story; a story of profound loss. But beside every story of loss sits a story of success; of glory and of abundance. Ndi Anambra, to the glory of God, we are not a people with a SINGLE STORY…we are a proud, intensely driven, hardworking, innovative, adventurous and forward-looking people with more gifts than the world can take!

Umu-nnem we are the inheritors of an uncommon valour! This brave spirit inspires us to live above the common level. We are quick to climb over the pains of an awful experience and rebuild broken walls of friendship that will open fresh doors of hope. We do this with ease because we are a people of the faith. We believe in the centrality of God in the affairs of men. We are bold enough to accept the cruel verdict of fate and bury our dead with fanfare. Our culture upholds the centrality of “burial” as a crucial epilogue in the narrative of life.

It is this belief that prompted many citizens of this state to approach me, at the inception of this administration, with a request for a formal burial of our brethren who died in the pogroms, the civil war and the World War II. Thousands of these people died because they believed in the ideal of a united and strong Nigeria. They died courageously because our people do not acknowledge fear.

Today, we honour them in words and deeds. We offer them a final resting place; a sanctuary where their memory will forever ruffle the leaves of time. Today, as we lay down their memorial stones, we bring closure to the wanderings of our brothers and sisters whose great souls have yearned for the dignity of a formal burial over the last half century.

Today, as we light our candles and whisper our silent prayers to ease their passage to eternity, we cleanse ourselves of the pain of their death and plant the trees of forgiveness in their memory. And in doing this; we open a new page of a brighter history for our people.

Umu nnem, in my inaugural address, I informed Ndigbo that the time had come for us to climb over the recriminations of the past and build new bridges of understanding across Nigeria. I argued that if our ancestors sacrificed so much to create Nigeria, we must not sacrifice any less to rebuild this country. I also re-emphasized my belief that our future as a people is better guaranteed in a united, indivisible Nigeria. Ladies and gentlemen, that is why we must all vote for Dr Goodluck Azikiwe Ebele Jonathan in the Presidential Election that will hold next month. Among the candidates running for the Presidency, Dr. Goodluck Azikiwe Jonathan offers Nigeria the best chance at national integration and unity. So, we must vote for him. We must also vote for all the candidates standing election on the platform of APGA here in Anambra and other states. We must sweep every available position in Anambra State and win the gubernatorial election in Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Zamfara States. Ladies and gentlemen, this is APGA’s year of self-actualization and we must grab it with both hands.

Ndi Anambra, my administration is committed to lifting up the standards of our shared experience. We shall continue our bold efforts to ensure that we are not only united in times of adversity and grief but in times of victories and peace. With this ceremony, I urge you to mourn no more but rather, celebrate the bravery of these great spirits who lost their lives yesterday that we may find peace today!

Brothers and sisters, this is the essence of our being here today. This is the spirit behind Ozoemezina...never again!

May we all rise and say Ozoemezina! Ozoemezina!! Ozoemezina!!!

Never! Never!! Never again!!!

Dalunu!

Chief Willie Obiano
Governor, Anambra State

Odenigbo you refused to share pictures that accompany's the message..

Dr Alexander Ibezim, Bishop of Awka... "God will lead us in this country to take our rightly position"

The Choir leads the congregation

Cross-Section of Traditional Rulers. Goodbye to our fallen Heroes

Chino nnaa, I am sorry. Help out brother. I am kind of busy.

Anambra Bids Fallen War Heroes, Civilian Victims Farewell, 45 years After Biafra... "Ndigbo do not have a single story" – Obiano declares

Following the clamour for a formal burial for millions of Anambra indigenes who lost their lives in the Nigerian Civil War, the World War II and pockets of sporadic violence in the country, the Government of Anambra State today performed a formal rite of passage for the fallen heroes and heroines as well as the civilian victims of the Nigerian Civil War, the World War II, the pogroms and other ethnic and religious violence in the country.

The very elaborate but solemn ceremony which took place at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, attracted distinguished Igbo sons and daughters from the entire South Eastern geopolitical zone including the former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme and the maverick billionaire businessman, Prince Engineer Arthur Eze, Chief Victor Umeh, APGA National Chairman and Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, APGA gubernatorial candidate in Imo State among many others.



Delivering a highly emotional address under the title – Ozoemezina: Memory and the Quest for Igbo Renaissance, the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano explained that the event aptly tagged Ozoemezina (Never Again!) was held in response to the strident calls from Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora for a formal burial for their kit and kin who lost their lives in the Civil War and the endless cycles of violence that characterize the country.

In a voice that quavered with emotion, governor Obiano recalled that “thousands of these people died because they believed in the ideal of a united and strong Nigeria. They died courageously because our people do not acknowledge fear.”

Describing Ndigbo as a great people whose entrepreneurial drive has taken to known and unknown places in pursuit of wealth –creating opportunities, Governor Obiano declared that Ndigbo do not have a SINGLE STORY.

Said he, “we are the owners of a proud history; paved with pain and anguish and watered by the blood of the innocent. Hardly is there a family in this gathering without a story; a story of profound loss. But beside every story of loss sits a story of success; of glory and of abundance. Ndi Anambra, to the glory of God, we are not a people with a SINGLE STORY…we are a proud, intensely driven, hardworking, innovative, adventurous and forward-looking people with more gifts than the world can take!”

Situating the event within the ebb and flow of time, Governor Obiano observed that the ceremony was the beginning of a long symbolic “look backwards, beyond the immediate horizon of our national experience, to honour the memories of our loved ones who lost their lives to the various dark chapters of our national history.”

Waxing rather philosophical, Governor Obiano observed that “in doing this, we are guided by our belief that life itself is an unbroken stream of experiences stitched together by memory. Without memory, life assumes the attributes of a futile gaze into the void of time!”

The governor also pointed out that it was an integral part of the Igbo culture to recall the events of the past as an important guide to the future, explaining that this belief was succinctly captured in the Igbo saying that Ncheta ka (Recall is supreme).

Comparing the Igbo experience to the Jewish Holocaust and the Rwandan Genocide, Governor Obiano regretted that while those two extra-ordinary events in human history had been etched on global memory through a carefully directed effort, the response of Ndigbo to their own tragic history lacked boldness and organization.

Throwing more light on the reason behind the formal burial accorded the fallen heroes and heroines, Obiano explained that Igbo “culture upholds the centrality of ‘burial’ as a crucial epilogue in the narrative of life.”

He praised Ndigbo as the “inheritors of an uncommon valour” which makes it easier for them to climb over an awful experience and rebuild the broken walls of friendship that will open fresh doors of hope. “We do this with ease because we are a people of the faith. We believe in the centrality of God in the affairs of men, we are bold enough to accept the cruel verdict of fate and bury our dead with fanfare!” he reasoned.

Concluding, Governor Obiano observed that with the ceremony, “we honour our dead in words and deeds. We offer them a final resting place; a sanctuary where their memory will forever ruffle the leaves of time. Today, as we lay down their memorial stones, we bring closure to the wanderings of our brothers and sisters whose great souls have yearned for the dignity of a formal burial over the last half century.”

The governor also called on Ndigbo to vote massively for President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan in the February 14 Presidential elections as he represented the best hope for national integration and unity for the country. He also urged them to vote for all the candidates standing election in various states of the federation on the platform of APGA.

Also delivering a Homily at the Ecumenical Service held as part of the ceremony, the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor applauded governor Obiano for the initiative which he said had enlarged the scope of the activities marking this year’s edition of the Armed forces Remembrance Day.

According to him, the event was special because, “we are not only celebrating patriotism, the sacrifice of life and limbs mad eby some members of the armed Forces in the various conflicts – the World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, the peace Missions to Congo, Darfur etc – but also commemorating the civilians, especially Ndigbo, who lost their lives and property during the Nigerian-Biafran War and the various riots and insurgencies in Nigeria.”

Observing that “what is remembered and how it is remembered is of utmost importance,” Bishop Ezeokafor argued that the identity of individuals and communities are tied up with the memories they keep alive through stories and celebrations.

Underscoring the importance of memory, Bishop Ezeokafor observed that “the history of the modern Igbo nation cannot be complete without the narrative of the Nigerian-Biafran war. Bseides, recent events in Nigerian history would remain incomprehensible without knowledge of that war. It is therefore my view that efforts should be made to promote greater awareness of that pivotal event in our lives as Ndigbo and as Nigerians,” he surmised.

Highlights of the event were the parade by unveiling of the cenotaph for the fallen heroes and heroines, a parade by different socio-cultural groups who paid a condolence visit to the Governor as the Chief-Mourner and a colourful display of masquerades as is typical of the burial ceremony of a wealthy Igbo personage.

Present at the highly successful ceremony are Former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. nkem Okeke, National Chairman of APGA, Chief Vicor Umeh, Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Princess Chinwe Nwaebili, Secretary to the State Government, Oseloka Obaze, Civil War veterans, Col. Joe Achuzia, Col. Ben Gbulie, Col. E.M Udeaja, Col. Emma Nwobosi, the Chief of Staff to the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Joe Asike and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Jnr, son of the legendary Biafran warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

My cousin new IVM SUV just arrived on 23 of December 2014 fully loaded with AC, airbags at the front doors,dash boards cruise control alloy wheels 26 inches auto seat adjustment means the seat will automatically adjust itself depend on your weight comes with tracking system.The car got some up to date technology build

chino11:
Cross-Section of Traditional Rulers. Goodbye to our fallen Heroes

nwanne that was fantastic

ak47mann:
My cousin new IVM SUV just arrived on 23 of December 2014 fully loaded with AC, airbags at the front doors,dash boards cruise control alloy wheels 26 inches auto seat adjustment means the seat will automatically adjust itself depend on your weight comes with tracking system.The car got some up to date technology build

the car dey enticing, na only one pix of the car you get?

levelszik:
the car dey enticing, na only one pix of the car you get?

no

This picture made my heart bleed it say it all never again

Biafra Fallen heroes Funeral and Remembrance

Anambra Honoured the 3.7million BIAFRA citizen massacred in 1967to1970 by the british led niZOOria gangsters.

Anambra Bids Fallen War Heroes, Civilian Victims, children starved to death by awolowo Farewell, 45 years After Biafra... "Ndigbo do not have a single story" – Obiano declares
Following the clamour for a formal burial for millions of Anambra indigenes who lost their lives in the biafran Civil War, the Government of Anambra State today performed a formal rite of passage for the fallen heroes and heroines as well as the civilian victims of the pogroms and those that killed recently by the bokoharam

Umunnem,ozo ama emekwa ayi ozo....Ije awele ,umu Biafra nwulu na agha.... Ka Olisa bi nigwe nabata obi unu ma kasie ezi na uno ayi nine obi. Bido tata gaba udo,ofu obi na oganiru bu ife ya neso ayi,ebe obuna ayi jee.

Ka odi nofu!

May their souls RIP Amen.

Kudos to gov Obiano for agreeing to hold the remembrance celebration. I wonder why other former Biafran states did not participate, or weren't they invited? This event would have been bigger were it an all South east thing. Nigerians should know that we igbos have not forgotten our departed that died on the alter of maintaining one Nigeria.
Once again, Kudos to Willie

Zonacom:
Kudos to gov Obiano for agreeing to hold the remembrance celebration. I wonder why other former Biafran states did not participate, or weren't they invited? This event would have been bigger were it an all South east thing. Nigerians should know that we igbos have not forgotten our departed that died on the alter of maintaining one Nigeria.
Once again, Kudos to Willie

Time to remember those Who lost their Lives in Nigeria/ Biafra War & Other genocide being committed in Nigeria in the North including boka-haram violence against Ndi Igbo & other Ethnic Cleansing in the North!. Ka mkpuru obi ha zuo ike na ndokwa amin!

Ekwueme Square Awka Yesterday!

They Died in their Struggle to preserve our Freedom!. Our People will never Forget All These!.

Ndi Igbo have been Looking for An Igbo Nationalist & It seems That They have Finally Found One!......Obiano!!!!! Chiba Igbo nine!!!!

Today at Ogidi at The Flag-Off of Mbaekwe Road Ogidi Linking Umuoji!

Obiano at Umuoji today at the commissioning of 7.5 MVA Power Transformer!

More!

Thumbs up investnow2013, you are really passionate about the development of Anambra and igbo nation. And sincerely too. you have my respect

FreeGlobe:
Thumbs up investnow2013, you are really passionate about the development of Anambra and igbo nation. And sincerely too. you have my respect

Udo nke Chukwu dilikwara gi Nwanne madu!.

please who is that white bearded man i see every time around obiano?

Zonacom:
please who is that white bearded man i see every time around obiano?

I gues Obiano's aid or something like that.

BREAKING NEWS!! Court sacks Oduah and Andy Uba. . .This is getting interesting. . .

Zonacom:
please who is that white bearded man i see every time around obiano?

Oseloka Obaze. Secretary to the State Government

Thats Oseloka Obaze, The SSG. He is a cousin to Dubem Obaze

NRIPRIEST:


I gues Obiano's aid or something like that.