• Zik, Okpara, Ojukwu, others honoured posthumously
From Magnus Eze and Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Two major events took place in South East last week that placed the region on global focus. A summit on security and economy and the 2023 Igbo Day celebrations, held simultaneously in Owerri, Imo State and Enugu, Enugu State, between September 28 and 29.
The two programmes saw the assemblage of the best of the Igbo. The Igbo nation stood still on Friday, September 29, to celebrate its heroes at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu. They saluted men and women who in the course of history selflessly contributed to the development and wellbeing of Igbo land.
The carnival-like event, which attracted dignitaries from all the Igbo speaking states, featured display of native Igbo delicacies and masquerades. It also provided opportunity for the exhibition of Igbo craft and ingenuity.
It was actually the first of its kind. While foremost nationalist and Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Premier of defunct Eastern Region, Michael Okpara and Nigeria’s first billionaire, Sir Louis Ojukwu, were honoured with the Distinguished Heroes of Igboland award, leader of the defunct Republic of Biafra, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, received the Grand Hero of Igboland award.
Other Igbo heroes accorded due recognition at the event were ex-military Head of State, Major General Aguiyi Ironsi, Governor of then Eastern Region, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Second Republic Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme.
Also on the list were Chief Mbonu Ojike, Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, Chief Sam Mbakwe, Chief C. C. Onoh, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Chief Dennis Osadebay, Senator Offia Nwali, Justice Dadi Onyeama and Gen. Philip Effiong among others. This novel action of Ohanaeze Ndigbo received commendations from different personalities, noting that it was a good way of recognising the labours of past leaders.
Wife of Ikemba Nnewi, Bianca Ojukwu, whose three members of her family were garlanded lauded Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide: “I am particularly proud for the Hero of Igboland honour bestowed on my father-in-law, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, acclaimed as Nigeria’s first billionaire, who died in 1966.
This is because I believe he has not been given sufficient recognition for the tremendous impact he made in the socio-economic and political space in Nigeria.
“The son of Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, my husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, received the highest honour of Grand Hero of Igboland. The Ikemba, as he is fondly known transcended into the pantheon of Igbo gods for the heroic role he played in the history and survival of his people. Generations yet unborn will be reminded of his valour. His place in the history of this nation is assured for all times.
“My father, Chief (Dr) C.C. Onoh, lawyer, philanthropist, real estate mogul and former governor of the old Anambra State is generally acknowledged as the founding father of Enugu State. He was Wawaland’s most formidable foot soldier and his heroic roles and sacrifices in the evolution of his people are unquantifiable.”
President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Obasi Nweze, said the Igbo sages honoured at the event have now become Igbo ancestors:
“The theme of this year’s Igbo Day celebration is ‘Igbo Kunie’, meaning – Igbo Arise! It’s a call to agitate our minds that things are no longer what they used to be. But the good thing is that all the South East governors attended. The Igbo now have a voice.”
The week-long event started with a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu, on Sunday, September 24 and was followed by a lecture at the old Government Lodge, Enugu, on Thursday, September 28, before coming to a close with the colourful grand finale at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.
In his different speeches, President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, urged Ndigbo not to be dismayed over the situation of the region, assuring that things would soon turn around for good.
He said the Igbo have the potential to be great again and his regime was doing everything possible to put them to work: “I have carried out a study on the potentialities of our region and I am very proud. We have everything that can make us great, agricultural potential, mineral potential.
“We are sitting on top of the biggest reservoir of gas. Don’t be worried things are going to be better. Things may look bad now but things will be better because I am putting my trust in God.
“We the Igbo have got a lot of people in the Diaspora, we’re establishing Ohanaeze in all the continents. In Europe, headquarters in London, both America and Canada, headquarters in Washington, South American, Caribbeans, headquarters in Brazil, Asia headquarters in China, Africa headquarters in South Africa. Very soon, Igboland will be great. We are doing our best and God will bless all of us.”
He commended governors of the five South East states and other Igbo leaders including Ndigbo in the Diaspora for their support since he assumed office.
Archbishop of Enugu Province and Bishop Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, called on the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to Ohanaeze to restore peace in the South East. Iwuanyanwu also reiterated Ohanaeze’s effort at securing Kanu’s release.
In his lecture, Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Geoffrey Onah, said: “Our problem is that we lack proper leaders and leadership. Lack of leadership is responsible for our disunity. They complement each other. Before, people rarely accepted leadership positions in Igbo land because they knew it was a sacrifice. But now, no one remembers to ask the person’s past life.
“And then you see criminals, liars and touts, once they have money and can shout, they become our leaders. Chinua Achebe said if Igbo present a criminal as their representative, the person would end up representing his stomach and not the interest of the people.
“When Michael Okpara was in charge of the entire Eastern region, he left his footprints everywhere you go. But we have had governors in different states and none of them can replicate what Okpara did.”