Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,194,829 members, 7,956,145 topics. Date: Monday, 23 September 2024 at 05:24 AM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims (987 Views)
Obiano Packages 10kg Rice As 25 Kg For Civil Servants - Picture / Ohaneze Ndi-igbo Hold Igbo Unity Forum In Owerri / Retired Generals Jostle For Civil Defence Top Job — Leadership Newspaper (2) (3) (4)
Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by KenSaroWiwa: 3:20am On Jan 13, 2015 |
Awka —FORTY-FIVE years after the Nigerian civil war, a symbolic memorial ceremony for all those who died during the war, was held yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, in fulfilment of the Igbo belief that the dead must be properly buried, otherwise its spirit would continue to hover around. It was reported that at the end of the civil war, no fewer than two million Igbo lost their lives. The ceremony, held at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, attracted notable Igbo leaders, including the former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, many war veterans, including those that commanded brigades and battalions before and during the war, as well as delegates from all the fives South Eastern states and traders’ associations in all the major markets in Igbo land. The event began with an inter-denominational service presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, and his Anglican counterpart, Rt. Rev Alex Ibezim, assisted by clerics from other denominations. Governor Willie Obiano, in an emotion-laden speech, said there was hardly any family in Igbo land that did not lose somebody in the war, but commended the people for overcoming the pains with passage of time. Obianor said: “The story of the war was a story of profound loss, but beside every story of loss sits a story of success, glory and abundance. 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 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 civil war and the World War II. 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 had yearned for the dignity of a formal burial over the last half a century. “As we light our candles and whisper our 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.” National chairman of ALL Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, recalled that the former Biafran warlord, late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was always calling for a memorial for those who died during the war, noting that when he reminded Governor Obiano of Ojukwu’s wish, he gladly promised to do it. He said that having performed the memorial, Igbo would begin to see clearly because they had done what was expected of them since the end of the war. Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/igbo-hold-memorial-service-civil-war-victims/ 1 Like
|
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by Ilekeh(f): 3:26am On Jan 13, 2015 |
I expected to see GEJ campaigning at the memorial. It would have earned him solid points his Azikwe name wouldn't have in this election. |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by KenSaroWiwa: 3:40am On Jan 13, 2015 |
Ilekeh:He should have brought his campaign to the memorial indeed. It adds little or nothing. Its as useless as his previous campaigns. Imagine GEJ promising to fight curruption with technology in Ibadan yesterday if re-elected and beating his chest about spending more than 10 billion naira on tertiary eduation in ibadan alone and pledging 2 million jobs for the mass anually...Who's deceiving who ? |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by CyberWolf: 3:42am On Jan 13, 2015 |
May their souls continue to rest in peace, Amen. |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by KenSaroWiwa: 3:45am On Jan 13, 2015 |
CyberWolf:As well as other victims from every crevice of the country. Amen. 1 Like |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by NRIPRIEST(m): 3:50am On Jan 13, 2015 |
May the almighty rest the souls of our beloved ones who lost their lives in these unfortunate events . May he also heal our souls,our land and our conscience. As he receives our prayers may he bless our lands and may they become rich and may he give us bountiful harvest. |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by Nobody: 4:01am On Jan 13, 2015 |
NRIPRIEST:Amen!!!!!!! 1 Like |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by Nobody: 4:09am On Jan 13, 2015 |
Lets live in peace and unity |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by KenSaroWiwa: 4:17am On Jan 13, 2015 |
mikeoh:But the nation itself has decided to shun this same peace and unity ever since then. The civil war changed a lot but nigeria itself has never moved one positive step. Looking at the current state of the country, you can tag living in peace and unity as "hope". So Let's "hope" for a better nigeria come the end of february 14. |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by DaVerdict: 4:18am On Jan 13, 2015 |
My respect to our fallen brothers and sisters, may your souls continue to rest in peace. Amen! |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by MrKnowitall: 4:21am On Jan 13, 2015 |
Victims of Ujukwu. The selfish imbecille sent them to their death. 1 Like |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by KenSaroWiwa: 4:33am On Jan 13, 2015 |
MrKnowitall: |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by naijaking1: 4:36am On Jan 13, 2015 |
KenSaroWiwa: It would have cost him other votes? You think? It maybe simply strategic, then again, the guy has never really identified with core Igbo values and aspirations as a president. Maybe he no know! |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by MayorofLagos(m): 5:22am On Jan 13, 2015 |
May their souls rest in peace. |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by Nobody: 5:29am On Jan 13, 2015 |
Ogbeni, Stop smoking ewedu ati amala, is not good for your brain. Omo ale jatijati ihere gi na eme ndi bu unu @ topic, may their soul rest in peace. MrKnowitall: 3 Likes |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by januzaj(m): 5:51am On Jan 13, 2015 |
MrKnowitall:not opinion but fact |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by januzaj(m): 5:51am On Jan 13, 2015 |
R.I.P |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by mensdept: 5:57am On Jan 13, 2015 |
This is a nice one |
Re: Igbo Hold Memorial Service For Civil War Victims by funkiebully: 6:07am On Jan 13, 2015 |
Eternal rest grant onto them, and May ur perpetual light shine upon them, Amen. |
(1) (Reply)
Tribute To Some Nairalanders We'll Miss Come February / Certificate Saga: Hausa Language Was Not Offered In 1961, Says Report / FG Commissions 60 Billion Naira Steel Mill In Ogun State
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 22 |