Igbo in US remember Ojukwu in style

About two weeks to the burial of former Biafran leader and Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Igbo living in the United States have commenced activities to pay heir last respects.

In New Jersey, USA, several Igbo organisations came together at St. Lucy’s Hall, Newark, last Saturday to celebrate Ojukwu. The event included a symposium, documentary films, Ojukwu’s speeches, mass and traditional wake-keep.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ken Igwe, a veteran of Biafran war, gave a brief history of Nigeria and how the civil war began. He also spoke on Ojukwu’s role at the initial stage.
“Ojukwu was selfless; he fought gallantly for my people. I want our young people to understand that the Igbo have gone through a lot in Nigeria,” he declared, adding: “Enough is enough!”

Also, two candidates for World Igbo Congress chairmanship, Mr. Joe Eto and Chief Larry Udorji, made remarks at the symposium.
The symposium was followed by a requiem mass, in the sanctuary of St. Lucy’s Catholic Church. The Most Rev. Monsignor Anselm Nworgu, who officiated at the interment service, captivated the audience with a sermon centred on selfless attitude and love for one’s race. He said that Ojukwu typified selflessness in his actions to save the Igbo race.
Prof. Austin Okwu, who represented Biafra in East Africa during the war, delivered a thunderous keynote address during the Christian/traditional wake-keep. He gave his candid account of his relationship with Ojukwu.

Okwu said that Ojukwu was not a selfish person. According to him, the former soldier sacrificed his comfort to wage a war of resistance that he did not start. He said: “War of resistance was caused by Nigeria,” while saying that Ojukwu did not pass away, but “passed on.”
Various cultural groups and women dance groups entertained an estimated crowd of 1, 000 Igbo that braved the cold weather to be a part of history.

Among the people in attendance were: Mr. Ifeanyi Uwaoma, president, Igbo USA, New Jersey; Charles C. Chikezie, president of Igbo Bu Igbo, New Jersey; Dr. Ugorji O. Ugorji, president of Nzuko Ndi Igbo, South Jersey; Chief Titus Osuagwu, president, Igbo Union, New Jersey; Engr. Polycarp Okeke, president, Igbozue, Connecticut; Ms. Chinwe B. Njoku, president AISANA, Engr. Ike Oraedu, president, AESA Elders Forum, Mrs. Uzoamaka Ahaneku, president, Umuada Igbo, New Jersey and Lolo Vicky Egwuonwu, Leader, Nigerian Women Rosary Crusade.
Others include, Dame Ivy Onyejekwe, president of Umuada Ndi Igbo, New Jersey; Mazi Chris Awam & Mazi Jaycee Windorff, Arondi Izuogu Progressive Union; Dr. Joana Sea, president, Ifeatu Ifediche Women; Mrs. Ogugua Ezidiegwu, Dr. Moe Ene, Sir A. l. Onwuzurike, Ms. Chima Anyanwu-Irouwa, Lolo Chinyere Njoku, Prince Patrick Agbugba, Lady Gladys Nwosu, Mr. Chris Moghalu, Mrs. Edith Nwaeze, Sir. Clement Ezeh, Lady Esther Ohen, Dr. Sebastian Gubor(CT), Dr. Berthram Okpokwasili, Dr. Prudence Nwobi, Mr. Cornelius Akubueze, Engr. Eleazu, Mr. Magnus Ezeji (CT), Sr. Ebere Amakwe, Engr. Mike Amuzie, Lolo Beatrice Duru, Hon. CY Njoku, Mr. Mike Anazodo, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Egu, Ms. Jennifer Uzosike, Princes Augusta Njemanze, Mrs. Ifeoma Ndupu, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwaizugbu, Mr. Uchenna Bonny-Life Ndu, Chief Emeka Anara, Lolo Adaeze Ezinmachi Anara and Mrs. Nwakaego Ezeanuna.

Before the New Jersey event, Igbo, in Dallas, on February 4, also celebrated Ojukwu at Garland Convention Center, Garland, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. At the event, Igbo community came out in droves to pay their final tributes to Ojukwu.
There was church service, tributes, traditional dances and performance of Biafra war veterans led by Mr. Paul Iwuchukwu.
In his remarks, Chief Sam Nwankwo, president of Igbo Community Association of Nigeria (ICAN), called for Igbo unity. “Ojukwu lived ahead of his time for Igbo cause. In remembering Ojukwu’s sacrifice, I beckon every Igbo to come together. I call for Igbo unity everywhere,” Nwankwo said.

On his part, Rev. Dan Ofoegbu said: “I pray for the unity of Igbo everywhere they live.”
Also in attendance are HRH Eze Walter Ekwu, Mr. Geoffrey Nzeadibe, national chairman of Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation-USA; Chief Ken Jerry Ike, chieftain of PNF-USA; Mr. Sylvester Udeze, pharmacist; Nze Godwin Ihegboro, business executive; Dr. Elias Okonkwo, pharmacist, Edwin Nwokocha, Godson Anyanwu, Philip Odoemena, publisher of Around Town, Dr. Richard Nwachukwu, publisher of African Herald, and Chief Chike Momah, who moved the audience with a powerful eulogy. Earlier, on January 28, the celebration was marked in Atlanta, Georgia, where many Nigerians paid tribute to Ojukwu. Nze Joe Eto, chairman, Ojukwu Memorial Planning Committee, delivered a scintillating speech at the event.

In Washington, Igbo also remembered Ojukwu. Speaking of the event, Ugo Harris Ukandu said: “The all night wake keep, eulogies, presentation, speeches, church services, dinner and celebration of life of Ikemba Dikedioranma Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu of Igboland was well-attended. It held at The Plum Orchard Conference Center, in Silver Spring, Maryland on January 27, 2012 for Igbo in Washington, DC Metro Area. It was sponsored by Igbo organisations and people in Washington, DC, Maryland and.”