Ojukwu may be buried in February

late Biafran leader, Dim Chu kwuemeka Ojukwu Odimegwu

The remains of the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, barring changes in plans, may be laid to rest in February, 2012, THE PUNCH learnt on Sunday.

 

Our correspondents learnt that the governors of the South-East states visited the London home of the Ojukwus to console with the ex-war leader’s widow, Bianca, on Sunday.

The governors, among them Peter Obi of Anambra State and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, also discussed burial plans during the condolence visit.

 

Also at the Ojukwus’ home on Sunday were the National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Victor Umeh; Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State, Arthur Eze; and Chairman, Capital Oil, Ifeanyi Uba.

 

The party reportedly left London on Sunday night and is due in Nigeria on Monday (today).

 

A close friend of the Ojukwus, who did not want his name mentioned, told one of our correspondents on the telephone that the governors and some members of the family had agreed that February might be the best time to bury him. The source, who spoke from London, was however quick to add that the exact date had not been fixed.

 

"The governors and the others discussed with the family on when and how to bury Ikemba and they all agreed on February, but no exact date has been fixed yet. The people just left the Ojukwu house now and they are on their way to the airport," the source said.

 

A statement by Obi’s special assistant on media and publicity, Valentine Obienyem, on Sunday, however quoted the governor as saying that the programme for the burial of Ojukwu would be agreed upon by all relevant stakeholders.

 

Obienyem said the clarification became necessary to reassure those who had been calling to get the 

details of the burial.

 

"It will be a collective decision in consultation with various stakeholders, with his immediate family taking the lead," the governor reportedly said.

 

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, on Sunday deployed a detachment of policemen in Nnewi, Anambra State, residence of the late Biafran leader.

 

The police said the deployment was to prevent crime.

 

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Muktari, told THE PUNCH, "The person that died is a national leader. Can’t we send policemen there as people go to pay condolence? If anything happens, won’t they ask where the police was?

 

"It is for crime prevention. Nobody came to us to request for it. It is a proactive arrangement by us."

The policemen were seen on duty at the Owerri Road residence of the Ojukwus when our correspondent visited.

 

The Chairman of the larger Ojukwu family, the Ojukwu Ezeokigbo Family, Chief Chijioke Ojukwu, confirmed to our correspondent that he was informed of the deployment as early as 6am on Sunday.

 

"I had to go and arrange plastic seats for them since they did not have where to sit," he said.

Apart from the presence of the policemen, the place was quiet, with no major activity in the premises. 

None of the immediate members of the deceased’s family was at home.

 

One Mr. Juventus Osita, who introduced himself as Ojukwu’s personal assistant, said all the family members were either in Enugu or London.

 

"They have not instructed me to say anything yet on the development. Maybe, between now and Wednesday, they may say something. But for now, I have been asked to wait for them," Osita said.

Chijioke said the late ex-Biafran warlord’s eldest brother, Prof. Okwuabodike Joseph Ojukwu, was in 

Enugu; and he was the only one that could speak for the family or direct anyone to do so.

 

The immediate younger brother of the deceased, Chief Ude Ojukwu, a lawyer, said the family was yet to meet over the demise of the late Igbo leader.

 

"Unless doctor (Prof. Ojukwu) authorises me to make any statement for the family, there is nothing I can say for now," he said.

 

Prof. Ojukwu, a consultant surgeon, lives at Enugu where he still consults for the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla.

 

"I am suffering a lot of grief over this loss," said Ude.

 

"It’s a shocker to everybody. He was a hero, generous and very articulate. He was always fighting for his people. He was trying to make things work in Nigeria.

 

"He has fought a good fight. For everything that happened, we give God the glory. We will like the state and federal governments to immortalise him," Chijioke said.

 

Meanwhile, social and commercial activities in the town went on normally on Sunday.

Some of the commercial motorcycle operators, who spoke with our correspondent, said they were yet to hear about the death of Ojukwu.

 

The palace of the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, was quiet. A lady that was drawing water there told our correspondent that the Igwe had gone to church, and that the palace secretary would not be around until Monday.

Source: The Punch

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