₦airaland Forum

This statue should be called "Freedom Tower" or "Ojukwu Freedom Tower", or simply "Ikemba Tower".

It should make a very bold and clear statement and etch deeply into the psyche of any tourist about what the man meant to us.

It should also keep us mentally alert and alive to our responsibility to the ideals of Biafra.

If the governors don't have money, they should ask us Igbo to contribute. Even if it costs $1 billion, we should build it!

This picture would make a great statue (if international experts are contracted to mold and raise it ) in Enugu.

The SE governors can co-fund it, or Enugu state government can also do it in such a way that it would be a HUGE tourist attraction in Enugu. To have the desired tourist and landscape effect, the statue should rise up to 300 meters.

It can be designed to stand on top of Udi Hills, or a center with tourist infrastructure like restaurants, casino, shopping center etc.

It can also take a different feel such as hosting a civil war library and memorial wall with the names of Easterners who died in the war.

I chose Enugu because it was the capital of Eastern region/Biafra.  If Gov Chime wastes any time, then Gov Rochas should swing to action and take it to Owerri (another capital of Biafra).

These governors must not let us down.

This is an opportunity to make us proud! 

Eziokwu

So, Gowon can regret creating states? The same thing he used to destroy Eastern Nigeria, which in turn destroyed Nigeria. I'm shocked!
I've always said it here that all policies instituted in Nigeria to weaken the Igbo would end up weakening its architect while Ndigbo would keep waxing stronger.
The Bible says that righteousness exalts a nation.
Igbo will remain ahead of all their enemies provided they never copy the enemy's evil ways.

Gowon, IT IS VERY EARLY IN THE DAY TO START REGRETTING.

Calm down and enjoy the rough ride of your evil legacy.
Boko Haram will soon answer you.

Gowon is a freaking goat. lol

@Okija_juju

God punish you and your generation unborn. Idiiotic animal.
Just keep praying that Boko Haram doesn't reach out to us in Igboland, we will sacrifice you to Alusi Okija for sure.
Hear me well, jee raa nne gi.

Posted by: renewnaija

This is the dominating mentality I'm talking about. I'm glad you accept there will a 'domination'. So of what use will it be to join Biafra when ppl like you think we are already voiceless? At least we have reps in the Legislative arm of the Nigerian Govt presently (however docile they may be). Half bread is better than none. Moreover, I have never been mistaken to be Igbo in Nigeria so your statement is greatly flawed.

If you think it is easy for the Igbos to dominate a State like CR, then why havent they done so or with oil-rich Akwa Ibom or Rivers or Delta?

Can they dare try it in Nigeria? No. Can they do it in Biafra? A resounding YES!

I meant what I said when I said that we (Igbo) are watching the minorities closely over Ojukwu's funeral. We need to do that because we have hitherto considered you political allies. This is when we find out whether you take us as we take you -political allies/brothers in struggle.
Some of you are very funny because you think that Nigeria protect you from marginalization. That is what ezeagu is trying to make you know that you are wrong about. It is FAR EASIER to marginalize you in Nigeria because it is all man to himself and survival of the fittest. You would be a big fool to think you can outcompete or out-maneuver us in Nigeria. In Biafra, we have a moral obligation (per Igbo morality) to protect and make you more prominent because Ahiara Declaration sees every Biafran as equal; NO BORN TO RULE. You cannot say that in Nigeria, and Jonathan only became president because we (Ndigbo) voted for him.
If we for a second feel that your interest is to see us caged and marginalized in Nigeria, we would declare open seseme on your type, and there would be no hidding place for you.
Some of you think you are doing us a favor, but the opposite is actually the case. Nigeria is cooking right now, and one of these days we would hear a huge gbosaa, and we shall then see whether you can stop us in any plans we have. Some of you need to go to school of logical reasoning.

noblezone:
The only thing I will call an "honour" for Ojukwu is the convocation of a National conference where we can sit down and negotaite Nigeria.

The "born to rules" and the "Jihadirsts" might double their energies in the quests, now that Ojukwu is gone.

A stich in time saves nine.

I believe that is why Uwazuruike talked about non-violence principle which he said was Ojukwu's idea. Now that he is dead, MASSOB is no longer beholden to anyone. The greatest mistake of jihadists would be to try something funny in the immediate future hoping to cash in on Ojukwu's absence. I believe that is when a new Ikemba would emerge.  

jason123:
There is nothing wrong with it.

  . .  .And why is that? You must be joking. It's only in Nigeria were such things happen, whether his fight was just or not, a secessionist cannot be a national hero not to talk of a multiethnic country like Nigeria. Why aren't "several places of massive importance" named after Okotie-eboh or Ken wiwa or Akintola, even Fajuyi?

I wouldn't even be comfortable with any attempts to make Ojukwu a Nigerian hero. He was a BIAFRAN hero. 
You can name your Nigerian places after Nigerians.
Ojukwu's monument should be somewhere in Enugu, Owerri, Umuahia( all past Biafran capital cities), or Nnewi(his home town).
We can also build his monuments in all parts of Igboland and the East (if non-Igbos want that). Nothing more nothing less.

Per Uwazuruike's caution about politicizing Ojukwu's death and burial, Ojukwu's burial should reflect his core beliefs.
Whitewashing and spinning his beliefs won't cut it. He stood for certain things which are well understood.
The worst thing to do to him is to dub him some kind of a mainstream Nigerian politician.
HE WASN'T.

Andre Uweh:
This is a welcomed idea. The entire old eastern region governors should do it at a go. When Ojukwu was made a governor, it was governor of the eastern region.

Frankly we are watching the body language of non-Igbo states in former Eastern region concerning the burial rites for Ojukwu. This is a great window for them (together with SE) to make bold statements about what the man meant to them and whether they are with us in the pursuit of more autonomy and self determination.
We are watching very closely!

Ojukwu's death is a huge opportunity for Nigeria to fix the past and secure the future, but I doubt that Nigeria is capable of higher thinking. Self deceit and delusion of having captured the East is what would likely prevail.
It appears that Ojukwu prevailed on MASSOB to remain non-violent.
Now that he is no more, frankly anything can happen.

The Nigerian authorities have all the powers to re-lay the foundations of Nigeria.
Igbo marginalization cannot continue under any guise.
Nuff said.

[size=14pt]S’ East govs declare 7-day mourning, MASSOB Warns Nigeria On Non-violence[/size]
…His death will bring unity to Ndigbo –Uwazuruike
…Igboland, Nigeria in mourning mood –Gov Obi

From CHIDI NNADI and PETRUS OBI, Enugu
Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The stage is set for the commencement of a grand farewell to the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu with the declaration of a seven-day prayers and mourning, beginning from Thursday, December 1.

Ojukwu died last Saturday morning in a London hospital. He was flown out of the country on December 23 last year, following a stroke.
The prayer and mourning period was declared yesterday at a press conference addressed at the Casa Bianca, Enugu residence of the late Ikemba Nnewi, by the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.

The prayer session was also endorsed by the Chairman, South-east Governors’ Forum and Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, who returned from London yesterday morning and arrived at Ojukwu’s house shortly after the conference ended.

“I just came back this morning, everybody is aware of his death. We are all in mourning mood, Igboland is in mourning mood, Nigeria is in mourning mood. He (Uwazuruike) declared prayers, which all must follow/ We need prayers for our leader, it is seven days of prayers and every Igbo person should support that,” Governor Obi said before he proceeded to Abuja to officially inform President Goodluck Jonathan of the demise of the Ezeigbo Gburugburu.


According to Uwazuruike, the mourning  would require the participation of all churches, irrespective of denominations, bishops, reverend fathers, traders, teachers, students, among others.
The MASSOB leader said Ojukwu lived for the masses, adding that “whatever concerns him, must be for the masses.”

He also ordered that condolence registers be opened on the premises of all Igbo organisations worldwide, disclosing that they had already opened condolence registers all over Nigeria, where MASSOB has its formations.

Uwazuruike also called on the Federal Government to use the death of Ojukwu to make amends as well as show the evidence of “No victor, No vanquished” declared by Gen. Yakubu Gowon shortly after the Nigeria-Biafra war ended.

“We have not seen that evidence since the war ended, Now that Ezeigbo is dead, they should seize the opportunity. Nigeria should give Igbos the same status being enjoyed by others by creating two additional states to compliment the five states in the South-east. 
“Secondly, they should show this evidence of ‘no victor, no vanquished’ by declaring the entire South-east a disaster area in terms of infrastructure,” he said.
The MASSOB leader warned that the people of the South-east were not cowards, saying “the boys are very angry.”

His words: “We know what is happening in Nigeria, that those who the government listens to are those who carry arms; there is something I will tell you that you don’t even know; the position of MASSOB being non-violence has been sustained by Ojukwu; he has always insisted that we must remain non-violent. But not many people know this; whenever there seems to be problems, he would call and warn me to make sure I did not depart from non-violence.”

“So, that’s why I am saying all these because Nigerians believe that because you carry guns or start throwing bombs, that you will be listened to. We are not cowards and if they remember whenever an Igbo man starts something, it takes a different dimension. We do not intend to go to that extent but the death of Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who has paid the price for the emancipation of the Igbo; if that is not enough for Nigeria, well, no problem.”

Uwazuruike also warned that the burial of Ezeigbo should not be politicised, insisting that he must be given the respect he deserved.
“We shall rather use his death to unite the whole Ndigbo; the death of Ojukwu will be the basis for the unity of the Igbo,” he said, even as he disclosed that there were plans to call a meeting in Ojukwu’s house shortly after his 78th birthday celebration held at his Enugu residence on November 4.

Uwazuruike was hopeful that Ojukwu upon his death and now in the spirit world would bring peace to the Igbo.
He said: “I believe that with the death of Ojukwu, the problems of Ndigbo have come to an end because our leader is now in the spirit world and Igbos would now receive support from that angle. Ojukwu has fought more than any other Igbo man dead or alive, for the unity and welfare of Ndigbo and now that he is dead, he will give us that support from the spirit world and nobody will marginalise Ndigbo again.”
He, therefore, urged Ndigbo not to open for business on the day their leader would be buried, adding that no date has been fixed for that.

“The final expectation from Nigeria is that they should immortalise Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu; that should be done immediately. The newspapers are awash, Ojukwu is this, he is that,because he is dead; the finest soldier, the most brilliant soldier, they knew all these things but how many barracks in Abuja bear Ojukwu’s name. Those who have such barracks, are they more intelligent than Ojukwu or did they contribute more to the army than Ojukwu? You see the discrimination I am talking about? So, we want to see that; how many streets in Abuja are named after Ojukwu?” He asked.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2011/nov/29/newsbreak-29-11-2011-001.html

^^

To support my asserting that Ojukwu never wanted war as first option, this is his quote on it:

“It is only those who have not been involved in a war, that will always push war as the first solution to any problem. War does not solve, it cowers but the problem remains.”

-Emeka Ojukwu

Ojukwu's best quote:

“I regret the disabilities of the war. It was a choice: it was either to become a slave of the Hausas in that time, or to do what we did. And up till tomorrow, whenever I’m given the opportunity to choose, I’ll reject slavery.”

-Emeka Ojukwu

lagcity:
That's the same mistake Ojukwu and Igbos make over and over again. You people are supposed to be smart yet you've not learned that underestimating your opponent is the beginning of folly. Imagine someone calling Hassan Katsina half witted.

Yes he was half witted because the war was unnecessary. Nigeria could have solved all issues without war. In fact that was where things were headed after Aburi, until Hassan Katsina and Murtala struck. If Gowon was courageous enough, he would have implemented Aburi as signed and averted a war that killed 2 million Nigerians. A war that WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN and may eventually play a role in Nigeria's disintegration.
They won the battle, but I doubt they won the war because the issues are still there while the "victors" suffer from delusion of grandiosity.

I dey laff because Ojukwu was a greater Nigerian than Gowon. FACT.
He tried his best to avert war, but Gowon allowed Hassan Katsina and Murtala Muhammad to push Nigeria to war.
Gowon was even a coward because he allowed half witted Hassan Katsina and bloodthirsty Murtala to push him around and plunge the country into a 3 year bloodbath which will NEVER be forgotten.

But to me, Ojukwu is the greatest Biafran! 
Thank you.

I feel like repeating my dirge for Ikemba (the might of a nation) 

Adieu Great lion of Biafra.   
Rest well in the bosom of our God, the Great Yaweh!   
I mourn you today oh Ikemba as I mourn a father.
You offered to stand in the gap between Eastern Nigeria and a certain annihilation/colonization.
You stopped the annihilation but failed to free us from colonization.
We will never forget!
You stood up when cowards stood down.
You spoke up when cowards ran away.
You mortgaged everything just to see us free.
You were hunted 24/7 for 3 years by a combined forces of evil.
You created something new in Africa -a spirit of self belief.
You battled enemies in front, and even more enemies behind; survived to a ripe old age.
You were dangerous to the enemies of Eastern Nigeria in life.
You are even more dangerous to them in death! 
God promised threescore and ten years (70 years) to those he loves.
He added 8 years to you to show you how he loves you.

Adieu Odumegwu!   

It is well! 

[size=14pt]Ojukwu excelled in the north – North govs
[/size]
On November 27, 2011 · In News


The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) commiserated with the Ojukwu family, lamenting that the nation has lost a great man.

Chairman of the forum and governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the people of the 19 states of the North and indeed the entire country have lost a courageous man who would be sorely missed for his immeasurable contributions to national development.

The condolence message of the forum was contained in a statement signed by Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo. According to the governors, though Ojukwu died at a ripe age of 78, after a prolonged illness, the forum was deeply pained by his passage.

“Like most of our Igbo brothers and sisters born in Zungeru (former capital of Northern Nigeria), Ojukwu excelled in his sojourn on this side of the divide. He did well as a soldier and as a politician”, they said.
The governor recalled Ojukwu’s leading role in the struggle for the nation’s return to civil rule at a time when many pro-democracy elements were afraid to speak up against the military.

The statement said Ojukwu would be remembered for playing a prominent role in the 1995 constitutional conference which gave birth to the current geopolitical structure.

Ojukwu irreplaceable – Atiku

FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar, described the death of Ojukwu as a great loss to the country and Africa in general. Atiku, who noted that his death was another colossal loss to Nigeria at a time of strenuous efforts for unity and reconciliation, recalled that the Ikemba Nnewi’s role as a key actor in Nigeria’s political development cannot be easily forgotten.

According to Atiku, Ojukwu was a tremendously respected and influential politician whose endorsement was frequently needed by others to build their political careers, adding that history had cast the late Ojukwu into a role and he played that part to the best of his abilities.

Immortalize him – Reps

THE House of Representatives said the demise of Ikemba Nnewi, has left a deep hole in Nigeria’s quest for transformational leadership.

In a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep Zakari Mohammed , the House described his passage as a colossal loss that is irreplaceable. “Ojukwu was the first Nigerian graduate to have enlisted in the Nigerian army and added intellectual dimension to the force while in service of his fatherland”, it stated.

“While alive, Ojukwu displayed rare courage on principled stand on sensitive national matters, we in the Seventh Assembly regret his death but we are consoled by the fact that we will continue to uphold his principle, ideals and uncommon courage that Ojukwu lived and died for.” “We are calling on the President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to immortalize this gentleman officer, courageous, successful politician and a leader’s leader.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/ojukwu-excelled-in-the-north-north-govs/

A true icon.

^^
It is a FACT of history

OJUKWU: [size=14pt]We’ve said this over and over again, so many times, and people don’t understand; they don’t want to actually. If you remember, I released Awolowo from jail. Even that, some people are beginning to contest as well. Awo was in jail in Calabar. Gowon knows and the whole of the federal establishment knows that at no point was Gowon in charge of the East. The East took orders from me. Now, how could Gowon have released Awolowo who was in Calabar? Because of the fact that I released him, it created quite a lot of rapport between Awo and myself and I know that before he went back to Ikenne, I set up a hotline between Ikenne and my bedroom in Enugu. He tried like an elder statesman to find a solution. Awolowo is a funny one.[/size] Don’t forget that the political purpose of the coup, the Ifeajuna coup that began all this, was to hand power over to Awo. We young men respected him a great deal. He was a hero. I thought he was a hero and certainly I received him when I was governor. We talked and he was very vehement when he saw our complaints and he said that if the Igbos were forced out by Nigeria that he would take the Yorubas out also. I don’t know what anybody makes of that statement but it is simple. Whether he did or didn’t, it is too late.

Facts are very very stubborn!

Katsumoto:
To add to what you stated above, all those that were released by Ojukwu such as Banjo, Ademoyega,Adeleke actually fought for Biafra. It is really an imbecilic argument to state that Gowon didn't release Awo. You release someone from prison but you can not guarantee his personal safety once he crosses from Onitsha to Asaba.

How you dey?

We have been down this road before. I am happy that Ojukwu himself voiced it out. It is a simple fact of history that Gowon did not have control of Eastern Nigeria until January 1970.

Here is a scenario that could have happened if Ojukwu decided that Awolowo should remain in jail in Calabar.
The crisis would have continued down the same path, leading to the same secession of the East (with Awo still in jail, but may be transfered to a safer town in Biafra). If Biafrans wanted to be mischievous, they would house Awolowo in one of the refugee camps frequently bombed by the Nigerian planes. He would have suffered the same fate as Biafran children bombed in their camps.

Ojukwu had his strengths, but I personally think that one of his greatest failures was not keeping Awolowo inside Biafra throughout the war. That would have been far safer for Biafra because there would not have been a betrayal from Yoruba.
We would have fought Yoruba directly as enemies (as we did Hausas) right from the first gun shot.

Today, this debate would not be happening.  

The idea that Gowon released Awolowo is the most stu-pid thing I've ever heard, but some Yoruba dolts continue believing it.
How can you give what you don't have? lol

To my Igbo brothers, as we mourn Ikemba let us reflect on our CURRENT state.
The more I mourn Ikemba, the more I realize how great he truly was.
He fought outside enemies of Eastern Nigeria, while enemies inside Eastern Nigeria stabbed him in the back.
He was severally targeted by his own people. I marvel at how he could survive for three years!
If he is alive today, he would have spoken out against certain things going on in some parts of Igboland.
I miss him more because only he seems courageous enough to fight both foreign and domestic foes.
The man was deep.
Only God can replace him.
Farewell my leader.

End of my mourning. . .  

We will never forget.

~Bluetooth:
Abegi . . .so i'm supposed to start pissin in my pant abi ?

I wouldn't want to be related to you IN ANY WAY: brother, sister, father, mother, son, daughter, uncle, aunty, grandfather, grandmother etc.
I pity anyone related to you.
You are joking with curses from mourning people, especially Ndigbo.
Wait for it dude, the curses will find you soon.
Just wondering how dumb a human being can get.
My German Shepherd is FAR MORE INTELLIGENT than you.  

namfav:
it seems people in the east want a repeat of the civil war, ibos dont want to learn, smh
when a baby burns his finger in the fire he gets scared of fire forever, arrogant bastas

My friend have you taken a CLOSE LOOK at Nigeria lately?
Are you this dumb?  
It seems humping of camels, goats and cows have a way of screwing up the brain.  

There is peace in Eastern Nigeria (Biafra).  
There is WAR in the North.  
It is only the beginning of the curse. More is coming. Get ready.
Without us firing a single shot, you will be wiped out soon, by your own hands, diseases, the plagues of Egypt and curse of Islam.

We will be having a field day selling weapons to you.

Freaking m-oron.  

ismhab:
That man is a vampire thank God he is dead, no more blood to suck, congrats nigeria, nigerians, africa, africans and the world.

Blood sucking is already going on in your land and there is NO END IN SIGHT for your land.
You will be sucking your own blood for eternity.  

I'm still mourning and don't have time yet for people attracting curses upon their own heads for something that doesn't concern them.
But how can someone be so stu=pid to be attracting curses from mourning people?
It is either such people are impotent and cannot make children, or they have no family.
These curses will happen.