"We lost great men in the war" the old man said with a grin...

A weak attempt at a smile, as he remembered all those who fell during the 30 month civil war.

A light cloud of sadness adorned the room like incense and although it wasn't my first inquisition into the occurrences of the Biafran Civil War. This one journey hit harder than all the others. It managed to get a clear view of something which I had only ever glimpsed at. It managed to see the cause of it all from someone who had lived in thick of the coups, pogoms and counter coups.

"We lost great men in the war" he says like a man defeated.

We lost great men in the war.

.
.
.

Tonight I remember Christopher Okigwe for the man he would have being if not for his sacrifice.

He died defending the city of NSUKKA. A citadel which today has turned into a tavern of mediocrity wallowing in dirt ridden swine fest that is Nigerian public education.

You died in vain dear sir..

But your legacy will not depart. You will be remembered by I and those akin to me as the PHENOMENON THAT NEVER WAS.

In the war early manuscripts of what would easily have being classics were destroyed. Books which would have been celebrated and lauded.

GONE!!!

destroyed!!!

Never to be read or admired.

You will be missed.

But!!

We the igbo believe that death isn't our end, and that one who dies will live again reborn; renewed.

Maybe this which was your belief was a truth and not a fantasy

I believe that somewhere far or near lies of fruit of your genius..

This night and for many nights to come; I shall drink to you, your life, your death and your legacy.