Conrad Chukwukadibia Nwawo was born in 1922 in Onisha-Olona in pesent day Delta State. He had his education at Aggrey Memorial School, Arochukwu and and Ilesha Grammar School. He went for further training at the School of Agriculture before working as an assistant Agriculture officer in Ibadan. In 1950, Nwawo resigned and joined what was then known as the West African Fronteer force. He was sent on Officer training in Ghana and later, Eaton Hall Officer Cadet School. Nwawo was commissioned an officer of the Nigerian Army in 1953 with the Army number N10 (meaning he was the 10th officer of the Nigerian Army). Nwawo was sent on international military postings to Germany, England and The Congo. In the Congo, Nwawo along with  F.A Fajuyi were awarded the prestigious Military Cross for bravery. Nwawo was promoted to Lt Colonel in 1965 and posted to London as Military attache. It was while in London that the first coup happened. With Nzeogwu in firm control of the North and threatening to march down to Lagos, Ironsi reached out to Nwawo. Nwawo had taught Nzeogwu military tactics at NMTC Kaduna and both men were close. Both men were also Midwest Igbos. Nwawo flew down to Lagos then to Kaduna where he convinced Nzeogwu to give himself up and both men returned to Lagos. Nwawo brought to a peaceful end what might have been a bloody military confrontation.

When the civil war broke out, Nwawo like many Midwest Igbos such as Colonel Ochei, Lt Col Chudi Sokei, Lt Col Achuzia, Major Isichei amongst others chose to fight on the side of their kith and kin in Biafra.

Ojukwu promoted Nwawo to Brigadier General and gave him command of the 11 Division. He also later commanded the Biafran Armies 13th Division and saw action in Onitsha, Abagana and Umuahia sectors if the war. He was later appointed chief administrative officer, Biafran Army Headquarters.

In 1970 when the war ended, Nwawo was detained by the Nigerian Government but released in 1974


Nwawo was once asked if he regreted fighting on the Biafran side and he replied 'I have no regrets'

He also added in his Onisha olona dialect:
"Oge ozo, wa cho ilutinye nmadu aka na anya, wa ge elo iolo shinne"

(Next time they want to poke us in the eye, they will think well first)

Nwawo passed on to the great beyond in February 2016 aged 93.


In all,  Nwawo was a disciplined and brilliant officer. In retirement, he lived a quiet and contented life, but remained a hero among his people. He will be particularly remem­bered for his services to the Nigerian and Biafran Armies.

so even after th no victor nd no vanguished make believe claims , these useless good for nothing imbeciles in uniforms still went ahead to keep some of the biafran soldiers in detention knowing full well that they were only able to force them to surrender with starvation with the help of britain and soviet union.

In 1970 when the war ended, Nwawo was detained by the Nigerian Government but released in 1974

@OP, it's called Onicha Olona.

Western Igbos are great achievers by default.

His name featured prominently in the book the making of an African legend by Fredrick Forsyth.
I ts a must read

Igbos from Anioma are one of the bravest lot I've ever seen.

Why should he regret sending yorubas and hausa vandals to hell when they came to kill women and Children in Biafra.

He captured it well by implying that next when they want to mess with us, they'll THINK TWICE.

A great man indeed

A wonderful and great man. May His Soul Rest in Peace. Amen !!!

doublewisdom:
@OP, it's called Onicha Olona.

Its unfortunate that the white man messed the word up. The British wrote is 'Onisha' then they later added a 't' to make it Onitsha. There are too many ways of writting that word but the true way is Onicha.

doublewisdom:
@OP, it's called Onicha Olona.

what is the difference?

This is the man who should have led the Midwest offensive... But bkos of whatever funny reasons Ojukwu jettisoned him and chose onye afoojoo that messed up the whole stuff!!

Kudos Brigadier Chukwukadibia Konrad Nwawo

blues2022:
Western Igbos are great achievers by default.

OF COURSE YOU ARE DAMN RIGHT.

Achuzia was not in the Nigerian Army. He joined the biafran army as a major .he was actually an engineer B4 d war

This man had great exploits in the war. He is a Hero