Profile: Ojukwu at 71

By

Chris Ajaero

Monday, November 08, 2004

He is no doubt, one of he most respected political figures in Igboland, nay Nigeria. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, former Biafran leader, is widely regarded by Ndigbo, especially the youths as an embodiment of their collective pride and valour.

Ojukwu who turned 71, November 4, is one of the few Nigerians who was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, but chose to align himself with the down-trodden masses. Philip Ojukwu, his father, was a wealthy merchant who desired the best for his son. This was why Ojukw left the shores of Nigeria as a young man for London where he read History at the prestigious Oxford University. On his return to Nigeria with a master's degree, most people thought that he would be very comfortable with a lucrative appointment he secured in the civil service.

But the enigmatic Ojukwu, contrary to expectations, dumped the civil service job and opted to join the Nigerian Army. It was a rude stock to many Nigerians because the Nigerian Army was then not considered an attractive place to work. It is on record that he is one of the first few graduates to join the Nigerian army and this was borne out of his zeal to offer selfless service to his fatherland.

When the military struck in 1966 and sacked the politicians of the First Republic, Ojukwu became the first military governor of the Eastern Region.He remained loyal to the then federal military government led by Major General John Thomas Umannakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi. The counter coup of July 1966, which claimed the life of Aguiyi-Ironsi and the massacre of Ndigbo in the North infuriated Ojukwu. When all efforts to restore peace failed, Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra. This secessionist bid was resisted by the Federal Government of Nigeria, leading to the civil war which lasted for 30 months.

At the end of the civil war, Ojukwu, who was then described as a rebel leader, went into exile in Cote D'lvoire where he stayed till 1982 when he was granted state pardon.

Since his return to Nigeria, the elder statesmen have made conscious efforts to reintegrate the Igbo race into the mainstream of the Nigerian politics. Indeed, he has since 1982 remained an active participant in the political process. In the Second Republic, he pitched his tent with the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN. When the present civil dispensation was born in May 1999, Ojukwu joined the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP.

Still in search of a political platform that would truly give the Igbo race a sense of belonging in Nigeria, Ojukwu defected to the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in 2002. His declaration for APGA, in September, 2002 created a lot of ripples in the Nigerian political terrain. With his clout, the political fortunes of the party was greatly enhanced. He emerged as the party's flagbearer in the 2003 presidential elections in which he came third.

Although he disputed the result of that election and went to court to challenge it, Ojukwu remained committed to the promotion of unity in Nigeria. But the continued marginalisation of the people of Igbo extraction compelled Ojukwu to pledge support for the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, in an exclusive interview with Newswatch in september, this year.

His support for the Raph Uwazuruike-led MASSOB which came on the heels of the successful August 26 stay-at home order by the group, rattled the federal government. In a swift reaction, the State Security Service, SSS, summoned Ojukwu to Abuja. But the former Biafran leader who is himself controversy personified snubbed the SSS.

The SSS officials have since realised that Ojukwu is a" big masquerade" who cannot be pushed around. They retraced their steps.

Overtly charismatic and erudite, Ojukwu has remained vocal and frank in his comments on burning national issues, particularly when it concerns Ndigbo. In appreciation of his love for them, Ndigbo have bestowed on him a number of high profile chieftaincy titles. They include, Ikemba Nnewi, Dike dioranma, and Eze Igbo gburugburu (which means the overall king of all Ndigbo).

Still waxing strong at 71, Ojukwu is married to Bianca, former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria and blessed with many children.

Certaintly, Ikemba has written his name boldly in gold on the sands of time.