₦airaland Forum

Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Former Ambassador of Nigeria to Spain and currently the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on the 14th anniversary of the death of her husband, the Igbo leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed in a facebook post, the secret death pact between Ojukwu and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

See below

Witness to History : Kaleidoscope of life and times.....

“ The Ikemba, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during his lifetime, and in jovial mood would at times, recall a death pact he had with the now late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
Apparently, both men, who shared a special bond and friendship had agreed, during one of their lighthearted moments, that if one died before the other, no matter in which part of the world they might be, the survivor of the two must show up before the departed friend is buried, and call his name. If that voice could not rouse him, then that would be final validation that death is fact.

I thought it was an amusing story, and nothing more.
One can only then imagine how jolted I was when on the morning of the funeral of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu a long retinue of vehicles pulled up at our residence. As the visitors walked in solemnly, I was astonished to behold the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, in company of Prince Arthur Eze, and Chief Austin Ndigwe, who was then known as Uzu Awka.
'Where is my friend'?, the Emir asked in an emotion laden voice. Bewidered, I gestured towards the Ikemba's private library, where he was lying in state. The Emir advanced to the partition and halted, obviously overwhelmed by what was before him. It was a tender moment as I heard him softly mutter....'Emeka....'

It was as if, in that split moment, he had hoped that this was a mirage, but alas, his cherished friend had gone the way of all mortals, on that journey from which there would be no return.
Forlorn, he withdrew.
It was at that point that I realized that what had appeared to me as a joke, or at best, mere talk was indeed real.

Emir Ado Bayero remained present through the extensive funeral events of that day ( He can be seen in the pictures above at the State Ceremoy at Okpara Square, Enugu, seated next to Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings ). Emir Ado Bayero died in 2014, the longest reigning Emir in the history of the Kano Emirate.

The glory years of this country were shaped by men who cherished friendships, who showed up for each other in times of adversity, and who wore the crest of honour like a centurion's breastplate, irrespective of tribe or creed.
May their noble souls continue to Rest in Peace.

On this Anniversary of the death of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the trumpets are raised in tribute to this poignant demonstration of the promise and potentials that this nation can hold.”

This is very heartwarming.
An example of how Nigerians can be .
May their souls rest in peace.

JJ Rawlings. The man we admired a lot as kids.

An powerful example and demonstration of how our people no matter what tribe have the capacity to relate and coexist.

This girl is just riding on her husband’s name and enjoying the good life , she doesn’t give a hoot about the igbos

akosanwafo:
An powerful example and demonstration of how our people no matter what tribe have the capacity to relate and coexist.

They are trying to teach us too. And people like you and many others I see here on Nairaland show me the possibilities.

Yet Ikemba's disciples today curse at the children of Ado Bayero. What is the missing link?

Fulani and Igbo are one... even in death

Bianca Ojukwu

Kukutente23:
Fulani and Igbo are one... even in death

Bianca Ojukwu

A well known fulani monarch who was supposed to be the one upset with whatever that happened on Jan 15th was candid enough to visit Ojukwu the leader of Biafra.., but it's all these Kwarra refugees who found themselves in Aso Rock that are all over the place moaning about one Nzeogwu coup. A coup that never had them as targets..Somehow they managed to insert themselves into the middle of events just to claim victimhood ..

owobokiri:
A well known fulani monarch. who was supposed to be the one upset with whatever that happened on Jan 15th was candid enough to visit Ojukwu the leader of Biafra.., but it uis all these Kwarra refugees who found themselves on Aso Rock that are all over the place moaning about one Nzeogwu coup. A coup that never had them as targets..Somehow they managed to insert themselves into the middle of events just to claim victims hood

The thing tire me. They want to claim victim by fire by force

Nice read na men they run am when it comes to the elite nothing like tribal war see emir and authur eze na friends

Jagabanfromcali:
This girl is just riding on her husband’s name and enjoying the good life , she doesn’t give a hoot about the igbos

Why e dey pain you so?

otipoju:
JJ Rawlings. The man we admired a lot as kids.

Ojukwu funeral that time. About 10 African presidents attend that funeral but Rawlings was the one they were hailing that day.

stanluiz:
The thing tire me. They want to claim victim by fire by force

You dey mind those interlopers?
They will tell you that Ojukwu and Ironsi were all part of the coup.
Educate them from now till thy kingdom come, they will still stick with all those gbegiri tales from their uncles.

This very Emir was protected by Ojukwu on the night of the coup. He had an excellent relationship with Ojukwu who was positioned at Kano during the crises. Infact, I have read somewhere that he was not keen on the war and wanted the North to just secede..
Ojukwu had nothing to do with that coup. Even Nzeogwu didn't like Ojukwu that much.

Atleast, with stories like rhis, Kiriji fighters will all come to realise that while they are busy fighting Ojukwu on behalf of the emir and his people, the emir himself was busy having a great time with Ojukwu them..

I pray a day like this will come when we all see ourselves as one, like watching and supporting Super Eagles back in the days.

owobokiri:
A well known fulani monarch who was supposed to be the one upset with whatever that happened on Jan 15th was candid enough to visit Ojukwu the leader of Biafra.., but it's all these Kwarra refugees who found themselves in Aso Rock that are all over the place moaning about one Nzeogwu coup. A coup that never had them as targets..Somehow they managed to insert themselves into the middle of events just to claim victimhood ..

You sound emotionally triggered
What is the relationship between Ojukwu, the Nzeogwu coup, Biafra and the Fulani Emir
You're all over the place!
You don't seem to get the point she's making
When Ojukwu the greatest Igbo man that ever lived died, the Igbos were confused as to whether he was really dead or just playing
It took a Fulani man from Kano emirate to come and free them from their confusion by simply calling his name
When he did not respond, he was pronounced truly dead and thus buried
Igbos should be grateful to the Fulani for helping them solve this complex problem and thus remain one with them
This is what Ojukwu would have wanted

owobokiri:
You dey mind those interlopers?
They will tell you that Ojukwu and Ironsi were all part of the coup.
Educate them from now till thy kingdom come, they will still stick with all those gbegiri tales from their uncles.

This very Emir was protected by Ojukwu on the night of the coup. He had an excellent relationship with Ojukwu who was positioned at Kano during the crises. Infact, I have read somewhere that he was not keen on the war and wanted the North to just secede..
Ojukwu had nothing to do with that coup. Even Nzeogwu didn't like Ojukwu that much.

Atleast, with stories like rhis, Kiriji fighters will all come to realise that while they are busy fighting Ojukwu on behalf of the emir and his people, the emir himself was busy having a great time with Ojukwu them..

Bros, you are right on point about the history behind this. Ojukwu who stationed in Kano, in charge of the Battalion during that coup saved the Emir from being assasinated by taking him to safety .
My uncle who was a military officer in Kano those days told about this.

Kukutente23:
Fulani and Igbo are one... even in death

Bianca Ojukwu

You are mistaken.

Yoruba and Fulani are one. Say be Tinubu.

stanluiz:
You are mistaken.

Yoruba and Fulani are one. Say be Tinubu.

Yes
This means Igbo, Yoruba are one with Fulani
So why scatter what God has joined together

True friendships transcends tribe, religion, colour, gender and all other natural and man-made divisive attributes. Stories like this gives one faith in humanity. I hope Nigeria is not too far gone.

Please don't blame her.

She too was screaming BiaXBia until Tinubu sent FFK.

People are mocking Femi for no appointment not knowing that's his full time job making Bianca shout "APC" instead of BiaXBia

Jagabanfromcali:
This girl is just riding on her husband’s name and enjoying the good life , she doesn’t give a hoot about the igbos

Wow! A true friendship