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/

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.

Ilekeh:
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.

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 ?

May their souls continue to rest in peace, Amen.

CyberWolf:
May their souls continue to rest in peace, Amen.

As well as other victims from every crevice of the country. Amen.

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.

NRIPRIEST:
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.

Amen!!!!!!!

Lets live in peace and unity

mikeoh:
Lets live in peace and unity

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.

My respect to our fallen brothers and sisters, may your souls continue to rest in peace. Amen!

KenSaroWiwa:

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 ?

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!

May their souls rest in peace.

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:
Victims of Ujukwu. The selfish imbecille sent them to their death.

MrKnowitall:
Victims of Ujukwu. The selfish imbecille sent them to their death.

not opinion but fact

R.I.P

This is a nice one

Eternal rest grant onto them, and May ur perpetual light shine upon them, Amen.