You can hardly mention the Nigerian history much less the southeastern history without mentioning the name General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
While he may not have been revered in other tribes, he was loved and adored in the southeast as he was always at the forefront fighting for the southeastern people, his people. His dedication and commitment earned him the name Dikedioramma meaning the beloved hero of the masses. His journey, however, did not start in a single day.
The greatness that was General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was bored to the world on the 4th November 1933 in the northern part of Nigeria, he was lucky as he was born to a wealthy family but the greatness of his story was not based on the wealth his father had amassed, Ojukwu fought to stand tall in the midst of oppressions to put things in place. He was a man of character
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Fast forward to several years later, General Ojukwu enlisted into the military service and earned himself a one of a kind promotion when he made a correction to his superior. From then onwards, his intelligence, hard work and excellent leadership skills helped him climb up the ladder till he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in 1964, a position that tasked him with the responsibilities of the fifth battalion of the Nigerian Army.
The anti-Igbo program that commenced in the year 1966 was probably one of the events that spurred Lt.Col. Ojukwu into protecting his people at the cost of his own life. In that same year, in his capacity as the Military Governor, he was able to prevent the coup from reaching the southeastern region of which he was in charge of.
General Ojukwu would forever be known as the true leader of Biafra especially since he was the creator of the cause. This happened in 1967 when peace agreements with Ghana fell apart, Ojukwu fueled with the need to safeguard his people at all costs declared the southeast, a sovereign state known as Biafra. The creation of Biafra did not come without its downsides as it was attacked and defeated. This defeat did not happen in the blink of an eye as it was a three-year-old fight that caused the death of many soldiers and civilians as well. This caused the general to retreat in hopes to come back stronger than ever.
He, however, returned in 1982 to his hometown, Nnewi. The people were overjoyed upon his return. The joy wasn’t a lasting one seeing as some distasteful events led to him being locked up in prison under General Buhari’s orders. In 1984, he was released. General Ojukwu was a disciplined and stubborn man who was not easily dissuaded, a man who did not easily back down. From the time of his release, he continued to play major roles in the creation of a democratic Nigeria, one which we enjoy today.
Nigeria was bereaved as it saw the passing of one of its greatest heroes on the 26th of November, 2011. It was indeed a sad day and the whole country mourned the loss. In accordance with tradition, he was taken to his home town to be buried where a week-long memorial service was held in his honor.
Nigeria took a deep cut when she lost General Ojukwu, he was and still is one of the greatest heroes we would ever know!!!
Today is Ojukwu’s Post-Humous Birthday and We wish he Rest in Power.
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