OBITUARIES

Nelson Mandela death: South Africa and world mourn South Africans have gathered in Johannesburg and Soweto to mourn their former leader, Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday aged 95. Crowds have been paying tribute, dancing and singing in front of Mr Mandela's former home in Soweto. He is to be accorded a state funeral on Sunday 15 December, President Jacob Zuma announced. Mr Mandela spent 27 years in jail before becoming South Africa's first black president in 1994. His administration replaced the racist white-minority regime that had enforced segregation of black and white people in a policy known as apartheid. Mr Mandela went on to become one of the world's most respected statesmen. At a news conference on Friday afternoon, Mr Zuma outlined a week of events to mourn the former president. 1918 Born in the Eastern Cape 1943 Joins ANC 1956 Charged with high treason, but charges dropped after a four-year trial 1962 Jailed for five years for incitement and leaving country without a passport 1964 Charged with sabotage, sentenced to life 1990 Freed from prison 1993 Wins Nobel Peace Prize 1994-99 Serves as president 2004 Retires from public life 2010 Last major public appearance at football World Cup in Johannesburg Remembering the man South African papers pay tribute to Mandela Sunday will be an official day of prayer and reflection with special religious services On Tuesday, a service of national mourning will be held at a 95,000-seater stadium on the outskirts of Johannesburg Mr Mandela's body will lie in state from Wednesday to Friday in the capital, Pretoria The funeral will be held in the village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape, where Mr Mandela grew up. South African Airways has announced that it will provide extra flights to Qunu for mourners. Hundreds have attended an interfaith remembrance service outside Cape Town's City Hall. The Johannesburg stock exchange suspended operations for five minutes on Friday as a mark of respect. Criticism "We sincerely thank all South Africans for the dignified manner in which they have respected and responded to the monumental loss of this international icon," Mr Zuma said. Speaking in Cape Town, Mr Mandela's long-time ally, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, described him as an "incredible gift" to South Africa. "He taught us extraordinarily practical lessons about forgiveness, compassion and reconciliation." He also cited Mr Mandela's weaknesses, including "his steadfast loyalty to his organisation and some of his colleagues who ultimately let him down". Mourners were gathered outside Mr Mandela's old home in Soweto into Friday night Hundreds also came to pay their respects outside Mr Mandela's home in the suburb of Houghton Mr Mandela had been receiving treatment at home for a recurring lung illness since September, when he was discharged from hospital. As soon as the news of his death broke late on Thursday, small crowds began to gather in Soweto's Vilakazi Street, where Mr Mandela lived in the 1940s and 1950s. Crowds also gathered outside Mr Mandela's current home, in Johannesburg's northern suburb of Houghton, where he died. A stage has been erected there and speeches are being given and hymns sung. President Zuma visited the house in the early afternoon to pay his respects. Across the world, leaders, celebrities and members of the public have been paying tribute. Pope Francis said Mr Mandela had forged "a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation and truth". Queen Elizabeth II said she was "deeply saddened" to learn of Mr Mandela's death and said she remembered her meetings with him "with great warmth". Cannot play media. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version What was apartheid? A 90-second look back at decades of injustice "He achieved more than could be expected of any man. Today, he has gone home," said US President Barack Obama. The White House has announced that Mr Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be travelling to South Africa next week to pay their respects and take part in memorial events. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Africans are mourning Nelson Mandela through songs of struggle and church hymns. One of the songs is "Nelson Mandela ha hona ea tshwanang le yena" which in Sotho means there is no-one like Nelson Mandela. This song and many others like it encapsulate the deep sense of loss here and the realisation that his passing marks the end of an era. Even South Africans who had never met him had made a special place for him in their hearts. They will remember him as the father of the nation, who brought an end to apartheid and delivered the nation from the brink of civil war. Children carrying posters slowly march up and down Vilakazi street, where Mr Mandela's Soweto home is. Others are standing outside his old house, now turned into a museum. There is an air of heaviness here - none of the loud hooting of minibus taxis that usually make up the energy of this busy street, no cars speeding down blaring loud music. Instead those not part of the mournful singing speak in hushed tones. Elderly women with walking sticks are part of the group that has come to send off the nation's icon. Nelson Mandela death: Soweto's sorrow The opening of a summit of African leaders in Paris to discuss security was dedicated to Mr Mandela, with many of those present paying tribute. Flags are flying at half-mast on government buildings in Washington DC, Paris and across South Africa. The European Union and world football body Fifa have also ordered their flags to be lowered. Parliament in Pretoria is expected to hold a special joint session to reflect on Mr Mandela's life and legacy. The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Johannesburg says South Africa will never have seen a state funeral like it, with leaders, dignitaries and other admirers of the former president expected from all over the world. It will be a huge logistical challenge, especially given the remoteness of Qunu, our correspondent adds. Mr Mandela died shortly before 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on Thursday. He won admiration around the world when he preached reconciliation after being freed from almost three decades of imprisonment. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 along with FW de Klerk, South Africa's last white president. Mr de Klerk, who ordered Mr Mandela's release from jail, called him a "unifier" and said he had "a remarkable lack of bitterness". The young as well as older people have been deeply affected by his death Mr Mandela has been credited with uniting South Africans of every colour Mr Mandela's former fellow anti-apartheid campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu paid tribute at a service in Capetown Mr Mandela's death has been marked around the world. Here passers-by pay tribute in the Chinese capital Beijing Mr Mandela had rarely been seen in public since officially retiring in 2004. He made his last public appearance in 2010, at the football World Cup in South Africa. Roving diplomat Born in 1918, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1943, as a law student. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, 24 May 2013 17:55 By Anote Ajeluorou News - National .•Achebe’s Elementary School To Be Rebuilt MANY in the literary community were disappointed when President Goodluck Jonathan failed to name a monument after the late Prof. Chinua Achebe. This was even after the National Assembly recently held sessions in honour of the literary legend and called on government to name a prominent monument in his memory. Rather, Jonathan said he and the Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama Mahama, would jointly rebuild Central Primary School, where Achebe attended his elementary school in the 1940s. Jonathan had spoken glowingly of Achebe, as a philosopher who employed his writing to telling effect, noting how Achebe had applauded the 2011 elections that brought him (Jonathan) to power as being significantly better than previous ones. It was after Achebe’s first son, Ikechukwu, had given a vote of thanks that Jonathan announced what would be done to Achebe’s primary school. Heart-warming as this may be, it still fell far short of how the literary community wants their hero to be immortalised. They had actually expected the National Library, still under construction, to be named after the man who made library part of his growing up years and who went on to become a library of knowledge itself, sharing his knowledge of African worldview with a world audience that stood spellbound for well over three decades. President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Prof. Remi Raji-Oyelade, said it might be too early in the day to know what President Jonathan would do in that regard, since it takes time to arrive at what would be appropriate for a man like Achebe. He noted, “It takes time for us to do the right thing. Jonathan might use it to launder the image of government.” Curiously, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, was absent in all the activities held to mark Achebe’s transition. From last Sunday when weeklong activities started in Abuja at the National Ecumenical Centre, only the Minister of Information and his Finance counterpoint, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala showed up. Raji-Oyelade put it thus, “In anything that has to do with culture in this our country, especially writers, you cannot be disappointed in a thing like that, in the way we are treated like lepers. I speak as ANA president. But for Governor Peter Obi, ANA president won’t be called to give funeral oration at Awka” for their own man, a man who founded the organisation. Former ANA president, Dr. Wale Okediran, also expressed surprise that Jonathan didn’t make any pronouncement about immortalising Achebe, adding that perhaps, he didn’t want to make the same mistake he made with the renaming of the University of Lagos as Moshood Abiola University. Okediran noted, “I was surprised because I thought he would use the occasion to make a historic statement. Unless he’s in the process of deliberations; but it was a very good moment to have made that statement.” Okediran also expressed surprise at the absence of Duke in the Achebe burial process, saying, “We had tremendous relationships with previous culture ministers like Chiefs Ojo Madueke and Adetokunbo Ademola. Madueke actually attended one of our conventions. But we’ve not been seeing much of the current culture minister. We hope this will improve soon.” Achebe’s Homeward Stretch The journey that started on March 21 when the world was jolted by news of his death finally came to an end yesterday when he was laid to rest in his hometown, Ogidi, at about 3pm. It began at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church at about 11am when President Goodluck Jonathan and his Ghanaian counterpart, President John Dramani Mahama and other dignitaries arrived Ogidi for the burial. First to arrive was Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, dressed in his Itsekiri traditional attire and in company of a handful of state officials. After this, the State Security Service officials went on over-drive in their zealousness to cordone off the church from anyone without permit. Their overzealousness formed part of Rev. Ikechukwu Nwosu’s sermon. Nwosu, who stood in for the Primate of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, had observed how SSS officials almost prevented the vicar from entering the church. Jonathan said he was in Ogidi to appreciate God for creating somebody like Achebe from a little known place like Ogidi and Nigeria. Jonathan described Achebe as “a philosopher and like all philosophers, he used literature, a subject he loved and knew very well, to express his philosophic ideas.” The President breezed through Achebe’s books, talking about their subject matters, especially Things Fall Apart, which title, he said, “is unique and a reference to colonialism as putting a knife to things like our values, culture and customs for things to fall apart.” Jonathan also took on Achebe’s political treatise about Nigeria, The Trouble with Nigeria and concluded, “Achebe said political leadership is what is wrong with Nigeria. Things Fall Apart is as far back as 1958 and he noticed that there was something wrong with Nigeria. Then came There was A Country”. The president read an excerpt from the book indicating Achebe’s scathing criticism of corruption as it was far back as the 1950s and 1960s. Jonathan then asked, “Those in office today, have they changed? Perhaps, Achebe’s grandchildren will write There Is A Country. All of us must work hard to change this country. Achebe said in his book that 2011 election was significantly better. So, we must fix our elections and leaders must work towards a better Nigeria so that their children will write There is A Country”. Nwosu, who took his bible text from Matthew 1:3, titled his sermon ‘Achebe: Parable to the Nigerian nation. Achebe’s life and times, he noted, were parables to the people of Nigeria, saying that Achebe’s life ran like a story that had strong message for the people. Nwosu said, “We appreciate Jonathan for coming for Achebe’s burial. We thank God for making Achebe to come to this side of the planet and the gift God lavished upon him so that all drank from his fountain of knowledge; a giant in the literary world, a man of social action. People like Chinua Achebe cannot be buried; he will live on.” He urged Nigerians not to despair but to be hopeful and forge ahead with determination, saying Nigeria would excel just as Achebe excelled in spite of the difficulties he faced. “Nigeria shall be well by defying all negative forces. There’s no end to Nigeria’s exploits. When rough times come upon you, don’t chicken out,” Nwosu said. Nwosu also saluted Achebe for being a practical man in his faith and convictions. He said Achebe’s rejection of national honours was part of him being a parable to Nigeria, adding that he meant well by so doing. He said, “Achebe believed thoroughly in Nigeria” The cleric also pointed out Achebe’s standpoint in the gay controversy raging in the Anglican community, saying the literary icon vehemently opposed the idea of gay and said so openly, calling it an abomination. Governor Peter Obi took over the ceremony after the sermon and called out dignitaries to pay their last respects to Achebe. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, brought the international dimension when she brought messages of world leaders from far and near to the congregation. She extolled the virtues of Achebe as encapsulated in the condolences sent to her ministry. However, while quipping about the large number of them, Onwuliri inadvertently committed a diplomatic gaff when she said the letters of condolences were in a “Ghana-must-go bag” apparently forgetting the presence of Ghanaian President, Mahama. She quickly corrected herself, but not before it had caused a mild guffaw in the church. Chief Emeka Anyaoku also lent his deep basal voice to the condolences. The diplomat said Achebe gave Africa a voice and confidence to speak for themselves having been so denigrated by the colonial masters. He noted, “Achebe gave us confidence through his writings. He told us Africans and the world that Africa has a very respectful culture that subsists till today. He helped us discover ourselves. Te legacy Achebe has left for Nigeria and Africa is a legacy that will subsist in Africa and the world for a long time to come”. Ghanaian President, Mahama called Achebe an icon of African literature, a great man. He admitted to Things Fall Apart shaping his life while growing up. He expressed his gratitude for the way Achebe lived an exemplary life and how much empowerment he gave to many who would follow his footsteps. He capped it off saying, “Achebe will never die!” Achebe Shut Awka, Ogidi down That Achebe was a great man is not in doubt. But this became particularly clear to Ogidi folks early on Thursday when thousands of Nigerians and foreigners descended on the sleepy town in a carnival of life for the late literary icon. As early as 9am, food canteens had their food emptied outby guests. It turned out a scramble of sorts as both civilians and uniformed officers from Police, soldiers, SSS and others scouted the road on which St. Philip’s Anglican Church is located. Even at the state capital, Awka, where Achebe was laid in state at Alex Ekwueme Square, his immense stature as a big masquerade was unmistakable. He shook Awka and local folks were compelled to the realisation that a great masquerade had entered the midst of the living. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chinua Achebe’s Burial Date: Is Ogidi Culture Observed? . Saturday, 04 May 2013 00:00 By Dr. Ken Amobi Art - Arts .SELECTING the burial date of a prominent Ogidi man can be a complex and contentious affair. When the person is a “big masquerade” the size of Chinua Achebe the problem assumes a humongous proportion. Demands of nuclear family members clash with those of Nigerian government officials; interests of international bodies collide with local religious bodies; involvement of professional associations tangle with those of traditional societies. This list can be long and unwieldy. The announced burial date for Ogidi High Chief, Chinua Achebe, is slated for May 23, 2013. For the uninitiated this Thursday will be a great day for such an important funeral. Achebe passed away on March 21, 2013 and for the gullible his burial is overdue. Some discerning voices might worry about the rains. The rainy season may have returned in full force by May 23. However, those who deeply believe in the metaphysics of rain-making and rain-dispersal would firmly counter, saying that the best rain ‘doctors’ will be engaged and no rain will fall on May 23. These musings, much as they provide lively debates and exchange of ideas, are not anywhere near the anticipated concern some Ogidi people may throw up about May 23. Some may predict that agwo no na akilika (a ferocious snake is lurking among the seemingly benign waste dry grass). The die-hard will intimate that there is trouble in the offing. May 23 is Nkwo market day in Igbo Calendar. Again, for a novice in Ogidi culture, this may seem unimportant and inconsequential. But is it? Both Thisday and The Guardian newspapers reported on Monday April 22, 2013 that the Chairman of the South-East Governor’s Forum and Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has announced the May 23 date. Thisday reported that “The decision was reached after a meeting of the South-East governors with the family of the late Achebe.” It appears that this decision is now cast in stone. Was there any consultation with Ogidi Ndi-Ichie? Was there any input from the Ogidi Union of Nigeria? This writer has unsuccessfully tried finding answers to these questions. At best, the information available is convoluted and confusing. In Ogidi culture a titled man is buried on an Oye (Orie) market day. This practice is almost as old as modern Ogidi nation. Inquiring minds will like to know why Oye day is chosen. But to fully understand this issue you have to know that for some Igbo people there could be more than one burial for a dead man: there is the burial of the “flesh” and burial of the “soul.” The soul is also called mpkuluchi. In Onitsha customs the burial of the soul is called ido igbudu. According to High Chief Mike Areh, Ede Gbogbogaga of Onitsha, burial of the flesh can take place on any Igbo market day. It is the burial of the soul of the departed that should occur on an Oye day. Ede reminded this writer that even the great Zik of Africa, the Owele of Onitsha, Nnamdi Azikiwe, was buried on Nigerian Government appointed day, which was not an Oye day. That was just the ‘flesh’ burial. The ido igbudu, the soul burial, happened on an Oye day. But why is the soul burial reserved for an Oye day? Put this question to many Igbo people, even people who claim to be custodians of Igbo culture, and you will be surprised to learn that they lack clear, precise knowledge about it. One Ogidi chief said that they are buried on Oye day because “that is the day they go.” This cannot be an acceptable answer. An inescapable follow-up question has to be: Why is it the day they go? An Igbo chief from Ufuma in Anambra State, Chief Vincent Obiano, Oku da ibibe, was the first person to point out to this writer that May 23 is an Nkwo day, not an Oye day. The eagle-eyed Chief Obiano, a devout Christian and versed in Igbo tradition, vehemently cautioned about making sure that Achebe’s burial is carried out in accordance with Igbo custom. Quoting Ofo and Ogu metaphysics, Chief Obiano prognosticated that Igbo titled men are buried on Oye (Orie) day, because, according to him: “You know the dead man is believed to be joining his ancestors, right? In Ofo and Ogu metaphysics, Orie is holy, like Sunday. Communication with deities and between the living and the dead is most effective and seamless on Orie.” Obiano could be talking about soul burial, or referring to a situation in his community if flesh burial and soul must jointly take place. Areh did some consultation and reported his findings to me on Saturday April 27, 2013. Onitsha people believe that Oye day is the day that the spirits from the land of the dead are on the prowl in the land of the living. It is their rest and free day; a day most convenient for them to commune with and receive new initiates to this realm of existence. It is the day the souls of the dead are most freely accepted to join their ancestors in the spirit world. Oye day is also significant because it is the day when titles are conferred on people with the approval of the denizens of the spirit world. The Igwe of Onitsha and Igwe of Ogidi, both perform their respective major ceremonies like Umatu and Ofala on Oye days, ostensibly a day most suitable for propitiations and appeasement of their ancestors. Let history be our guide. Soul ‘burial’ of Igwe Amobi I of Ogidi who died on December 18, 1925 was an Oye day. The soul ‘burial’ of Igwe Amobi II of Ogidi was on Saturday February 9th, 1974; you guessed it, on Oye market day. Igwe Amobi III of Ogidi joined his ancestors on Saturday, February 1, 1986 an Oye market day. Igwe Amobi IV of Ogidi was ‘buried’ on October 31, 1998, another Oye market day. By the way, notice that cautious use of the word ‘burial’ when reporting the departure of the above listed Igwes of Ogidi. It is strongly believed that the Igwe of Ogidi never dies; he merely joins his ancestors. The ceremony marking his departure is called the ‘last Ofala’. Need I say more about Oye soul burial? Perhaps, yes. The remains of High Chief Ernest Nzeadi Amobi, Onowu II of Ogidi, was committed to mother earth on November 14, 2008. But that was the flesh burial. The soul burial took place the next day and it was an Oye market day. Professor (Chief) Clement Chibuzor Amobi, Ezeamalu of Ogidi, was buried on April 30, 2011 an Oye market day. Amobi received a combined flesh and soul burial on this Oye day. Ogidi custom for burying a titled man is akin to that of Onitsha. Ogidi people will allow ‘flesh’ burial on any day other than Oye day. However, for buoyant families of the departed, it is preferred that flesh burial is within four days to the next Oye day, when the soul burial can take place. Members of Ndi-ichie Ogidi, as a group, will come to pay their last respects to departed on this Oye day. Ndi-Ichie Ogidi, as a group, does not view the body of a deceased member, they merely commune with the soul of the departed during their brief ceremonies at the bed on which he is laid in state. It is, however, instructive that Oye day burial for titled men is not pervasive in all of Anambra State, or for that matter, in Idemili Local Government Area. In Abatete, no specific Igbo market day is reserved for burying titled men. Chief Laz Igbokwe, Chinyelugo, of Abatete stated unequivocally that any Abatete titled man could be buried on any Igbo market day. One notable wrinkle is that Eke day being the main market day in Abatete, most burials are shifted away from Eke day. He went on to clarify that if burial ceremonies were fixed on an Eke day, absentees will not be penalized for not attending. Chief Chukwudi Amobi, Ezeogo, on assignment from this writer, interviewed Chief Pius Chiezie, former President of Ndi-Ichie Ogidi on this issue. Chief Chiezie explained that the Oye day burial practice was introduced in Ogidi by Igwe Amobi I of Ogidi. The provenance of this ancient practice is not in doubt. Igwe Amobi I must have borrowed this custom from his association with Onitsha culture. As a onetime interpreter in the palace of Obi Anazonwu, the Igwe of Onitsha, it’s little wonder that Igwe Amobi I transported this custom to Ogidi when he became the Igwe. Chief Theo Okonkwo, Nnanyelugo Chinyelugo of Ogbunike in Anambra State, a proud recipient of two titles, also weighed in on the Oye burial matter. He explained that the burial of a titled man in Ogbunike takes place on an Oye day. In Ogbunike the flesh and soul burial happens on the same day. Ogbunike Ndi-Ichie, as a group, will view the body of their departed member while lying in state. And now to the burial of Ogidi’s illustrious son, High Chief Chinua Achebe (Ugo belu n-oji); May 23 is an acceptable burial date for his flesh. Security considerations, transportation and other logistic imperatives may have prompted the selection of this date. What the spectators will not see on May 23 is the colorful Ogidi Culture of soul burial by the Ndi-Ichie Ogidi. The soul burial by Ndi-Ichie Ogidi is quite a sight to behold. Before arrival of Ndi-Ichie Ogidi at the burial venue, one of their members will play “John-the-Baptist.” He will arrive first and commence announcing and heralding, in loud authoritative but melodious tone, the coming of Ndi-Ichie Ogidi. He will demand absolute silence. This announcer will continuously warn that violators will be visited with heavy fines. The bellwether of the expected august procession will be toting a heavy bell some 25 meters ahead. This bell is rung with an uncanny and awe-inspiring cadence. Finally, a long line of chiefs, clad in brilliant-white flowing gowns with their heads adorned with bright-red caps, will file into the compound. It promises to be a very long procession; multitudes of Ogidi Ndi-Ichie will attend. Since Chinua Achebe was an Ogidi Ichie Ime-Obi member, his colleagues, fellow members of Ichie-Ime-Obi, will immediately follow the Indi-Ichie procession. Just as a house cat is different from the leopard; Ndi-Ichie and Ichie-Ime-Obi belong to separate leagues. Ndi-Ichie Ime-Obi will be attired in smart colorful long gowns wearing huge headgear festooned with colorful ostrich feathers. As the Ndi-Ichie and Ndi-Ichie-Ime-Obi file in; a loud silence will envelope the venue. Perhaps, it will be possible to hear the sound of a dropped pin. Perhaps, this eerie and palpable silence is required to usher in the ancestors from the spirit world in readiness to receive the soul of the departed. Absolute silence is demanded by the Ndi-Ichie and Ndi-Ichie Ime-Obi for the incipient solemn ceremony. The reader might conclude that the soul burial is a mere pagan or heathen ceremony; this is far from the truth. The president of the Ndi-Ichie will lead the chiefs in prayers. He prays to the ancestors to carry their supplications to God. He also prays to God to accept the soul of the departed. This ceremony is a harmonious symbiosis of Christian worship and Ancestral worship. If you attend the May 23 ‘flesh’ burial of Chinua Achebe, it will be well worth it to also witness the ‘soul’ burial. If history can be relied upon, the ‘soul’ burial of Achebe will also take place; and perhaps on Saturday, May 25, an Oye day. By so doing, the Ogidi culture will have been fully and unequivocally observed. *Amobi, from Ogidi, wrote in from Lagos ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OLUWOLE AWOLOWO (1942-2013): He was a rare gift to Nigeria - Asabe Yar’Adua Written by Sam Nwaoko- Ado-Ekiti Friday, 12 April 2013 04:15 WIFE of the late Major-General Shehu Yar’Adua, Hajiya Asabe Yar’Adua, has mourned the demise of the publisher of the Tribune titles, Chief Oluwole Awolowo. In a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune, Ambassador Asabe Yar’Adua said “it is with deep sense of loss and emptiness that we received the shocking news of Chief Oluwole Awolowo’s demise. “His demise is a painful and irreparable loss and has created an irreplaceable vacuum in the ranks of progressive Nigerians. His death is painful and a great loss to us because of his undisguised patriotism, piety, humanitarianism and spirit of live-and-let-others live. He was an uncommon gift to Nigeria. And we will continue to cherish his love and affection. “His love for people, his concern for truth and justice and his unbreakable steadfastness with Christ through prayers, which he never failed to offer whenever we come to visit, will remain evergreen with us. We deeply mourn this great man, patriot, politician, peacemaker and a man of prayers. We pray that the Almighty Allah will strengthen our Mama, the entire family and the management and staff of the Tribune newspapers in this difficult moment. “May his amiable soul rest in perfect peace. Wole, your admirers all over Nigeria and beyond mourn your departure. You have only gone to sleep as your good and enviable legacies endure.” Oba of Shasha condoles with Awolowo’s family THE Oba of Shasha kingdom in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Oba Babatunde Ogunronbi, condoled with the family of Awolowo and the entire Nigerians over the death of the publisher and vice chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Chief Oluwole Awolowo. The traditional ruler described Chief Awolowo’s death as “a monumental loss, not only to the Yoruba nation, but to the entire Nigerian populace, because he was a faithful and committed leader during his life time.” According to Oba Ogunronbi “I received the news with rude shock. Though Chief Oluwole Awolowo died at a fairly old age, we shall miss him and the family would still miss him too. I enjoined his family to be encouraged by the fact that he lived an inspiring and fulfilled life.” He urged the Awolowo family to be consoled by the fact that Chief Oluwole Awolowo died after a life dedicated to service of God, while he prayed that God would give the family the fortitude to bear the loss. Ekiti newspaper distributors condole with Tribune, Awolowo Sam Nwaoko- Ado-Ekiti NEWSPAPER Distributors Association of Nigeria (NDAN), Ekiti State chapter, has condoled with the Tribune family over the death of the Publisher of the titles, Chief Oluwole Awolowo. The newspaper distributors, in a letter of condolence to the Managing Director of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Publishers of the Tribune titles, Mr Edward Dickson, said the death of the Publisher was painful because he was a God-fearing leader. Ekiti NDAN, in the letter signed by its chairman, Mr Gabriel Ogundipe and general secretary, Mr Gbenga Owosho, said “his demise is a great loss to us in Ekiti State chapter and Nigeria in general, because he was a generous and God-fearing leader.” The distributors charged the management of the company “to summon courage, so that his death would not destabilise the company” and prayed that “the Almighty God will give the management the wisdom, the grace and strength to lead the company to greater height.” They also prayed that “God will grant his mother, Chief (Mrs.) H.I.D Awolowo and members of his family the fortitude to bear the loss.” He was lover of the masses - Bishop Ogundana Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta THE retired Bishop of Remo Diocese (Anglican Communion), The Right Reverend E.I.O Ogundana, has described the scion of the Awolowo dynasty, the late Chief Oluwole Awolowo, as lover of the masses and voice of the voiceless. The cleric said this while he paid a condolence visit to the Awolowo’s residence in Ikenne, over the demise of Chief Oluwole Awolowo, who died on March 27 at a London hospital. Bishop Ogundana wrote in the condolence register: “you are a friend indeed. You stood by me during the Remo crisis. You made the congregation of OAMAC to return to the Diocese. You are a voice of the voiceless and a humble friend of the commoners. I will miss your humility and commitment.” Also, Reverend (Professor) Konyin Ajayi said the deceased lived a life worth remembering. “We celebrate the life of a man who lived to the fullest, ran his race his way, fought his fight his way and we pray that you win the crown laid up for you,” he said. The Young Women Christian Association (YMCA), Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Anglican Church, Ikenne-Remo, said the late Awolowo was a great man, who lived well and fulfilled to the glory of God. In the same vein, the Celestial Church of Christ, Remo Diocese, also condoled with the family. The Founder, Word Bible Church, Prophet (Dr) Babatunde Kumoluyi, also said the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation. Tukur condoles with HID Awolowo NATIONAL chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, condoled with the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief HID Awolowo, over the death of her son, Chief Oluwole Awolowo. In a condolence message delivered on his behalf on Wednesday by the chairman, caretaker committee of the PDP in the South-West, Chief Ishola Filani, Tukur described the late Awolowo as “a perfect gentleman, an exemplary politician and a thoroughbred professional, who would be sorely missed by his immediate community, Ogun State and Nigeria in general.” Tukur said it was painful that “death took him at a time when his soothing words and wise counsel would have been needed, not just by Mama but all who knew him.” Tukur prayed God to grant the Awolowo family, his associates and friends the strength to bear the loss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wole Awolowo: His unknown attributes Written by Wole Efunnuga Monday, 01 April 2013 16:02 THE last time he stepped into the Imalefalafia headquarters of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, to superintend its activities was in March 2011. When, a few days, in the same month of March, he did not show up in the office, a few of his staff, who were equally close to him, put a call through to him and his response was that, “I am not feeling fine. I want to have some rest’’. Then, no one envisaged that the month of March would become a month to dread. Precisely two years after, and in the same month of March, he marched out of this sinful world. What a tragic coincidence! From his Ikenne-Remo abode, he coordinated the day-to-day running of the company to the admiration of the workers. Except when mentioned, no one knew that the Publisher was not operating from Ibadan. In spite of his condition, his humanitarian gesture did not cease. In him flowed the milk of sympathy and kindness. When you approached him for one need, he would willingly offer another after solving that one. Scores of Nigerians from the political arena, journalism profession, academic environment and other spheres of life always thronged his residence soliciting for one help or the other. It is on record that no one ever sought his assistance without getting it, except he/she did not have access to him. Little wonder someone whispered to my hearing that his sweet memory would forever be entombed under “the pyramid of hope and fulfilment’’. Even at his own expense, Chief Wole Awolowo granted favour to most people. How would one explain a situation whereby an employee of his organisation approached him as the Publisher and said, “please sir, could you give me a letter to an oil company or a telecommunications company or better still, a bank, recommending me for employment?’’ He answered the employee, “why not?’’. He did this for many members of staff in his companies without any reservation. Many a time, he had rescued people from their financial predicament, not minding their tribe, religion or ethnicity. He was an Evangelist per excellence, having attended a theological institute. There were occasions that his intervention saved many troubled homes. Unknown to most readers of the weekly Tribune “Church’’ package, the very popular column, OBA’s LECTERN was the creation of Chief Oluwole Awolowo, an idea he nurtured and continued to nurse even while on the sickbed.. In the acronym ‘OBA’, the O stood for Oluwole; B for Bolade and the A for Awolowo. He maintained this column until he joined the saints triumphant. His workaholic nature made him to write enough sermons that would sustain the column throughout the year. He was a man who had vision and mission for the Tribune titles, an organisation he led for decades. Many times, he said, “I want to make Tribune newspaper the highest paying newspaper organisation in Nigeria.’’ It was his intention also to relocate the office of the Publisher downstairs, because of the condition of his legs. “You know that I am not getting younger. Climbing this staircase everyday is becoming burdensome. I want to move my office downstairs. That would also afford me the opportunity of being closer to the workers.’’ Judging by the kind of cars he was using which amply reflected his modesty, one would not believe he was the Publisher of the oldest newspaper in the country. Cars of young reporters in the company competed favourably with his. When a brand new car was offered him in his capacity as the Publisher of the company, he rejected it politely. Rather than accepting it, he made case for senior editors to be given cars that would befit their status. He made sure official cars given to senior management members become their personal property at their point of exit. Due to his benevolence and intervention, he ensured that workers’ allowances were jacked up, and this has been the situation in the last couple of years. The last two Managing Directors of the ANN Plc, Pastor (Dr) Segun Olatunji and Reverend Sam Adesua, told members of staff at different forums that anytime a proposal for increase in workers’ allowances was tabled before the Publisher, his constant response was, “can the company afford to pay? If the answer is yes, go and pay them, it is approved,’’ was always his response. His philosophy of life was to bring succour to those who are in need. This, perhaps, informed why his workers showed their appreciation to him when he celebrated his 60th birthday about 10 years ago. One after the other, they showered encomiums on him, and described him as the man of the people. Chief Awolowo’s lifestyle in the last two decades was unique. He lived those periods as a true Christian. He wrote and published many books, among which are, An Unbreakable Heritage; Every Saint has a Past, Every Sinner has a Future, and his last book, My Memoirs at 70, a blockbuster and has been selling fast among consummate readers of autobiographies. Though he had planned to launch the book to commemorate his 70th birthday, this he could not achieve due to his triumphant transition to the world beyond. Despite the huge amount expended on his books, he gave out a lot to people as complimentary copies so that they could read and learn a few things from them. While on sick bed, he was always preaching and counselling people, drawing references to his youthful days which, according to him, was rascally. Though Chief Awolowo is gone, his footprints and the legacy he left behind will remain indelible for centuries to come. It is the prayer of all and sundry, going by the contents of the messages in the condolence registers opened at his Ikenne residence and the ANN Plc headquarters, that God, in His infinite mercy, will grant him eternal rest. How best can one wish this man of the people, a humanitarian and philanthropist par excellence a final bye but to tap from the words of the great William Shakespeare which says, ‘Good repose the while’. “Unbreakable’’, sleep on and rest at the bosom of Christ, because rest is sweet after much labour. You have fought a good fight and won the battle gallantly. Your memory will never be confined to the urn of history, but will be recreated and made to live on in the minds of the innumerous lives you transformed. Good night. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shock as renowned author, Chinua Achebe, dies at 82 Shock as renowned author, Chinua Achebe, dies at 82 March 23, 2013 by Akeem Lasisi Achebe A giant eagle flew away from the forest of African literature on Thursday as iconic thinker, writer, scholar, activist and statesman, Prof. Chinua Achebe, passed away. Although he was 82, his passage has spread shock, grief and anxiety about Africa’s destiny across the globe. Since about a week ago, anxiety had hovered above the health of the author of all-time greatest Things Fall Apart, whose story arguably best interprets the intricacies of the continent’s burden and contradictions. While it was later learnt that he had been ill and hospitalised in an undisclosed medical facility in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, reports said he died Thursday night, a development that his family has confirmed. The legendary writer, who had lived in the US since 1990, following an accident he had, in which he sustained a spinal cord injury, was, until his death, the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies at Brown. Despite the distance, Achebe had his heart in his fatherland as he regularly kept a close and critical eye on goings-on, especially on the political front. In some of his recent reactions, he had, last year, condemned the Federal Government’s decision to remove subsidy on petroleum products. Also, because he believed there was no progress to celebrate yet, he twice rejected the national honour that the Goodluck Jonathan government extended to him. But he stirred what can now be termed his final controversy late last year when he published his Biafra war memoir, entitled, There was a Country. Although the book is highly revealing in most parts and speaks to the future as much as it does to the past, Achebe’s stance that the late renowned politician, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, betrayed and dehumanised the Igbo during the war drew the anger of many followers of history, especially from the South-West, where Awo still remains an idol, based on his immense contributions to the development of the area, especially when he was the Premier of the defunct Western Region. While Achebe’s departure may provide some people an opportunity to re-read There was a Country with a dispassionate mind, other stakeholders, including the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who has described Achebe’s death as devastating, had opined that Achebe was not extravagant in his account of happenings during the Biafran war. In his reaction to the news of Achebe’s death, an obviously shocked Soyinka reportedly told a radio station, Cool FM, that he could not yet say much as at Friday. But he noted that the passage was devastating. Followers of the relationship between the two, and the dreams they shared for the country, would believe that what could be devastating to Soyinka is not just his compatriot’s death, but also the fact that their long-drawn battle to see a sane country did not come to reality in Achebe’s lifetime. Now over-74-year-old Soyinka had, in a poetic tribute to Achebe, when the latter clocked 70, expressed frustration that they both appeared to have fought in futility as forces that hold the country down had not relented. While the dream of Achebe, and those of other crtics and activists might not have been realised about Nigeria and Africa, his calling as a writer is an normous and intimidating success. His flagship book remains Things Fall Apart, which, since 1958 when it was publsihed, has continued to be relevant and amass sales and acclaim globally. When the book clocked 50 in 2008, it was celebrated for months in different parts of the world. Over 15 million copies of the novel are officially said to have been sold, while observers believe more than this number may also have exchanged hands via piracy. Although Achebe’s other novels that include Arrow of God and No Longer at Ease are also acclaimed, many critics have argued that the way Achebe was able to capture the tragedy of colonialism in Africa, through a tale that simultaneously and impeccably tells the story of the pre-colonial Igbo people, in an inspiring and believable manner, made him one of the greatest writers the world has produced. Apart from the fact that Things Fall Apart is also one of the most translated books from Africa, its relevance, even beyond the African question, came to fore recently when American scholar and critic, Robin Bate, situated President Barrack Obama’s tax reform policy, which seems to favour the weak, in the story of Unoka, father of the protagonist of the novel, Okonkwo. It is as a result of this that Achebe’s death has shaken the literary world globally. In The Telegraph, Sameer Rahim observed that Achebe was a wise literary master, whose works will echo down the ages. How he died – Family, agent The family and literary agent of renowned novelist, Prof. Chinua Achebe, on Friday said he died peacefully following a brief illness at an unnamed hospital in Boston, United States. A joint statement issued by his family and literary agent, Andrew Wylie, and released to the Associated Press, said he died on Thursday night after he was admitted to the hospital some days ago. A statement released by his agent, Andrew Wylie, and family confirmed that he died in a hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, “following a brief illness.” Describing the late writer as “one of the great literary voices of his time,” the statement also said Prof. Achebe “was a beloved husband, father, uncle and grandfather, whose wisdom and courage are an inspiration to all who knew him. Prof. Achebe’s family requests privacy at this time.” The statement said Achebe’s “wisdom and courage” were an “inspiration to all who knew him.” Brown University, where Achebe worked until his death, said it would organise a memorial in honour of one of its most valuable faculty members in history. A statement from the university described the late literary icon’s passing as an event of global significance. Achebe joined Brown in September 2009 and was its David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and professor of Africana Studies until his death. In a tribute, Brown University President, Christina Paxson said, “The colloquia he organised at Brown attracted a grand array of guests and effectively demonstrated how the humanities can build understanding by drawing from and encouraging a variety of perspectives. We were honoured to have him among us.” Achebe was Africa’s greatest literary export – Zuma Underscoring the implication of Achebe’s death as a continental loss, South African President, Jacob Zuma, says Africa owes a depth of gratitude to the late writer. He said in a tribute, “I have learnt with great sadness of the passing of this colossus of African writing. Chinua Achebe was Nigeria and indeed Africa’s greatest literary export and a legend of African literature. “It was in his famous novel Things Fall Apart that many Africans saw themselves in literature and arts at the time when most of the writing was about Africans but not by Africans,” said President Zuma. Also, The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory has sent its condolences to the family of renowned author and thinker. Centre spokesman, Sello Hatang, said Achebe was “a great African writer and thinker.” “Nelson Mandela referred to Prof. Achebe as a writer ‘in whose company the prison walls fell down.’” He was a genius, colossus – Osofisan, Osundare Renowned writers, Profs. Femi Osofisan and Niyi Osundare, have also hailed Achebe as an unmatched icon. While Osundare, in a preliminary tribute, described him as a colossus, Osofisan said Achebe’s life and circumstances that surrounded his death showed that he was a genius. He said, “His death is still a shock even though he was old enough. Achebe was one of the truly great minds of his generation, who could be grandly right and grandiosely wrong. “That is perhaps why he has ended amid a burning controversy for such is always the paradox of genius. Only the small stars die without a noise. I am convinced that Achebe will continue to speak to us perhaps even louder from the grave.” Duke, Babawale, others mourn The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, has described the death as shocking and a huge loss to Nigeria and the international community. In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Dr. Oladokun, Duke said Achebe was not only a global literary icon, but also a distinguished nationalist, who contributed immensely to the making of a modern Nigerian nation. He added, “Prof. Achebe raised issues of nation-building, peaceful coexistence and cultural affinity in his writings. He had an excellent grasp of his culture, which he deployed with uncommon deftness and a style that has remained unique and enduring. “He made the well-being and future of this country his concern till he breathed his last, and despite living out of the country for some time, he never allowed the physical distance to separate him from his culture, his nation and his people.” In another tribute, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation, Prof. Tunde Babawale, noted that Achebe was a great nationalist, an accomplished academic, a great intellectual, a renowned scholar, a prolific writer and literary giant of note and a teacher of no mean achievements. “He was a reputable author and assiduous global affairs commentator. He would always be remembered for his simplicity, love for his country and Africa and outstanding spirit of critical scholarship,” he said. The Executive Secretary of the National Institute of Culture and Orientation, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, said the death was a big blow. He said, “But we thank God that he had put Nigeria on the global literary map.” He gave his best, says Odia Poet and critic, Odia Ofeimun, has also said that Achebe was a phenomenal personality, who gave his best to posterity. Ofeimun, who was one of the people that vehemently criticised Achebe for the way he represented Awolowo in There was a Country, said, “He gave his best. His best remains forever phenomenal. We can quarrel as we please with aspects of his works. What we all owe him makes him triumphant. I wish we argued more with him than we did. He will be remembered for as long as stories are told.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eminent Nigerians Eulogise Chinua Achebe . Friday, 22 March 2013 00:00 By Our Reporters News - National .EMINENT Nigerians on Friday spoke glowingly about literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe who died in Boston, United States aged 82. Arewa Consultative Forum In a statement signed Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Anthony Sanni, the Arewa Consultative Forum said: “ It is a sad news to all Nigerians. There is nothing we can say beyond the usual platitude that God should give the people and government of Nigeria the fortitude to endure what cannot be changed, since death is an inevitable end for all mortals. The Professor is gone in flesh. But in many ways, he is very much around, considering he needs no tombstone to remind us of his legacies”. Project Nigeria PROJECT Nigeria, a group of eminent Nigerian leaders, expressed grief over the death of Achebe, who it described as one of its associates and supporters.While commiserating with his family and country, the group, jointly led by elder statesmen, Prof Ben Nwabueze and Alhaji Maitama Sule, in a statement in Lagos signed by its National Secretary, Olawale Okunniyi, said: “We wish to state, as we mourn this irreparable loss to the peoples’ movement, that Achebe, at different times, demonstrated exemplary courage as a general of the peoples’ army and a literary icon of the progressive movement, whose interventions were dreaded by oppressive governments. Liyel Imoke (Cross River State governor) His literary offerings made name for Nigeria, while his moral interventions ignited and deepened national discuss on several key issues in the country. Nigeria has lost an international figure; a writer whom Nelson Mandela said that “in his company, the prison walls came crashing down.” Igbo In The United States Chairman of Igbo World Assembly (IWA) and top executive of the Ohanaze Ndigbo, Anambra State-born California-based physician, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze said yesterday: “I spoke to his family this morning. He was to be honored this weekend at the CISA/IWA retreat at Staunton, Virginia. “We will still honor him. What a great man and academic star who was fearless to tell the truth as he sees it. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Aka Ikenga AKA Ikenga, an Igbo group, said: “Achebe bestrode the world of letters like the colossus that he was. He was a wordsmith! He was a master storyteller. He was an artist in the use of words. He was the palm oil with which we assimilated literature. He was the custodian of our values.” Rochas Okorocha (Imo State governor) Prof. Achebe was no doubt an asset. While I sympathize with the members of the family, I however urge the Federal Government to immortalize his name as a great Nigeria. His demise is a colossal loss to Nigeria and Igbo nation. He contributed to the growth of the education sector in his literary works, constructive criticism, uncompromising war against social malpractice with extraordinary intellectual background. Rauf Aregbesola (Osun State governor) Through his writing, he carried the Nigerian cultural values to the whole world and with the translation of his works into several languages across the world, the history and culture of our people, especially those of the Igbo extraction, have been etched permanently on the psyche of the world. There is no doubt that the place of the likes of Achebe will be hard to fill as he promoted a genre of writing that was uniquely his own.” Isa Yuguda (Bauchi State governor) His literary works ranked amongst the best not only in Nigeria, Africa but in the whole wide world. He was an icon that will be celebrated again and again”. Ikemba Odumegwu-Ojukwu CentreThe Director-General of Ikemba Odumegwu-Ojukwu Centre and former Minister of Education, Prof Fabian Osuji has described the death of Chinua Achebe as a great loss to the Igbo race in particular, the nation and the world at large. “We feel that the nation has lost a very distinguished writer, a very distinguished author, and a novelist who has contributed a whole lot to African Literature and in fact, he is regarded as the father of African Literature because before him, there was nothing like real, genuine and authentic African Literature. It was his classical novel, Things Fall Apart that created a new awareness about African writers and African Literature. To that extent, we feel a terrible sense of loss by his death. Wale Okediran (former President, Association of Nigerian Authors) What can I say? It’s very shocking although we shall all have to go one day. His is a great loss to the Nigerian literature and country. He’s done very well, played his part, left behind great works; he was even controversial at the very end. I’m proposing a state burial for him. As a giant literary figure, he deserves a state burial. FG should name something after him; maybe a stadium or one of the great universities. Prof. Charles Nnolim (University of Port Harcourt-based teacher and literary critic) I was shocked; I didn’t know he was ill at all. But we have to look at the bright side of his life. He was our icon in the area of literature; he was very original and courageous. He lucky in that he had advantage of early start; he was original and didn’t have anybody to copy from. He was courageous in attacking Nigeria in his book, The Trouble with Nigeria, A Man of the People. Like I said, he was courageous in attacking Nigeria’s corruption; he was a leader in the first class order. He pioneered African Writers Series (AWS), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA); he started Okike magazine, which is still running. He had to reject an honour from Nigerian government on account of bad leadership. He is the man from who all Africa learnt from, a writer of world-class. Things Fall Apart is one the best 100 books in the world. We hope that writers coming after him will have his genius and courage. Prof. Abiola Irele (literary critic and Dean, College of Humanities at Kwara State University, Ofa) Well, Achebe’s death is a great loss to us in Nigeria. As one of pioneering writers, he gave Africa a decided image, a high profile. My only regret is that he did not get the Nobel Prize! It would have been a great honour to him and Nigeria. But his works will endure. Prof. Femi Osofisan (retired academic, playwright, poet and novelist) It is still a shock even though he was old enough. Achebe was one of the truly great minds of his generation, who could be both grandly right and grandiosely wrong. That is perhaps why he has ended amidst a burning controversy, for such is always the paradox of genius. Only the small stars die without a noise. I am convinced that Achebe will continue to speak to us, perhaps even louder now from the grave. Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo (former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan) We have lost the most outstanding writer our country has produced. He started a tradition, which many people admit is unique. This was somebody, whose influence has been very strong in Nigerian literature over the last 50 years or so. He started a tradition in Nigerian literature in English language, which has inspired many people to write. It’s unfortunate and regretful that his life was characterized by controversy. But that doesn’t taint the contributions that he has made to African. He’s among the heroes of Nigeria literature; and he’s go to go on inspiring Nigerian literature in the future. Unoma Azuah (novelist and U.S.-based academic) Achebe’s passing has left a huge void in my life as a writer. I met him at Nsukka as an undergraduate student at University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His daughter, Nwando, is a friend and, of course, the affirmation he gave me and continues to give me as a Nigerian writer lives on. He taught me the need to have my own voice and to tell my own truth no matter how peculiar it may seem. He was a warrior who defended and protected our stories. He was a warrior that fortified and celebrated our literature. Like he said, and I paraphrase: if the hunter is left to tell the story of a hunt, he’ll always proclaim himself the victor. Achebe will be greatly missed. Odia Ofeimun (poet and social critic) He gave his best. His best remains forever phenomenal. We can quarrel as we please with aspects of his works and days. What we all owe him makes him triumphant. I wished we argued more with him than we did. But he was always treated like the wise old one even when he was 30, and not quite right. He will be remembered for as long as stories are told. Hyacinth Obunseh (former Association of Nigerian Authors General Secretary and promoter of African Writers Forum) Achebe, Africa’s, nay, the black world’s biggest and most celebrated novelist, has passed on. He was one of the finest minds of his generation. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the literary world. In his lifetime, he was humble, self-effacing, and lived the life he preached. He loved and believed in his people and Nigeria. For so many years he lived abroad as a result of a fatal accident he sustained several decades ago. Had he stayed back home in Nigeria, chances are that he would not have lived long enough to make the contributions he made to world literature since then, till he passed away, as a result of our poor health and medical facilities, which has led influential members of this and previous administrations as well as the rich to go abroad for medical reasons. We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare a State of Emergency in the health sector to arrest the situation and save Nigerians. We also seize this opportunity to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to grant State Pardon to General Mamman Jiya Vatsa and Mr. Kennule Saro-Wiwa, in the spirit of national reconciliation. Their contributions to Nigerian and African literature and environmental struggle cannot be over emphasised. Issues concerning their deaths at best remain complicated and inconclusive. Indeed, this government has in the very recent past granted State Pardon to state terrorists and other persons convicted of crimes against the state. Granting Vatsa and Saro-Wiwa State Pardon at this time will go a long way to show government’s seriousness in ‘not wanting people to suffer for too long’ for whatever crimes they may have committed against the state. The families, friends and associates of Vatsa and Saro-Wiwa have suffered so much these past years, and we believe the government should dry their tears and end their sufferings at this time by pardoning them officially for whatever crimes they were accused of committing, even as those crimes were not proven then and now. Tade Ipadeola (poet and President, Pen Centre Nigeria) African literature has lost a fantastic storyteller and a man of huge literary ambitions. As first and most enduring editor of the African Writers Series, he made his most remarkable contribution to world literature for no other series or editor has managed to come close. He died before the controversy surrounding his last book died down but he will be remembered, hopefully for a lot more than the controversies he cultivated. Richard Ali (novelist and PRO, North, Association of Nigerian Authors) Chinua Achebe was a selfless writer who sought to use his considerable intellectual stature and literary prowess to tackle the identity question of Africans generally. The Heinemann African Writers Series, of which he was Founding Editor, was instrumental in placing writing by African writers on the global stage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVEALED: How pastors battled to save Yakowa Written by Sunday, 23 December 2012 00:00 the nation continues to mourn the death of former governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa; former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Owoye Azazi; their aides and pilots of the helicopter that crashed in the creeks of Bayelsa State last Saturday, a cleric has exclusively revealed to Sunday Tribune that the tragedy had long been foreseen. According to the cleric who craved anonymity, some Pentecostal pastors, under the aegis of National Intercessors, had, through divine revelations, foreseen a particularly more serious tragedy some months ago involving Yakowa. The full import of the revelations, the cleric revealed further, would have forced the nation to its knees, “as that was the desire of the power mongers who plotted the tragedy in the first instance.” Explaining the nature of the plot as revealed to them, the cleric said they saw some powerful political forces in the North and the Maghreb region, who had gone there to invoke some sinister spiritual powers to deal with their political enemies. “It was revealed to us that three persons were specifically targeted. The three persons are President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State and the late Governor Patrick Yakowa. The place they went has this pond with potent powers,” the cleric explained. According to him, they saw in the revelation that while the spirits of President Jonathan and Governor Jang refused to appear, that of Yakowa stood out of the pond. “We made efforts to get in touch with the governor. Not only that, we also ensured that a prayer chain was formed. Prayer sessions were held in Kaduna for many days by select group of pastors. “The pastors were coming to Kaduna to offer prayers based on a schedule. The prayer sessions were held for almost a year to avert the tragedy, because we realised that former Governor Yakowa had been killed spiritually by those people,” the cleric disclosed further. He, however, said he could not confirm whether or not the deceased governor believed the clerics’ revelation or took precaution of his own. “Whether or not the governor took the message was not known to us. You know, he was a Catholic and might not have believed in the revelations,” he explained, adding that from their own end, they did what they needed to do, but it was unfortunate that he had to die in the crash. “From what we saw, the forces had killed him since that time,” he stated, while responding to reports that the late Yakowa could have had a premonition of his death, judging from the way he took care of his affairs and what he told his wife and friends before embarking on the tragic journey. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Buhari loses 40-year-old daugther to sickle cell November 30, 2012 by Agency Reporter Zulai Zulai, the first daughter of former Head of State and a former presidential candidate, Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is dead. She died on Thursday evening after delivering a baby in Nasara Hospital,Marafa Estate in Kaduna. Nigerians only got to know the 40-year-old lady after her death. Zulaiha, who was born on December 5, 1972, studied at the Department of Economics Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She left behind Amira, Moh’d and the two-day-old baby girl. The former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nasir el-rufai, said, “May the soul of Zulaihatu, the eldest daughter of General Muhammadu Buhari, rest in perfect peace.” The spokesman for the Congress for Progressive Change, Rotimi Fashakin, described the death as sad. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SAM C. ANUGWELEM, B.A,[IBADAN], M.S, PH.D [UC-BERKELEY, USA]

POLITICAL SCIENTIST, AND EDUCATOR
FROM UMUOTI, INYISHI, IKEDURU, OWERRI, NIGERIA
WILL BE BURIED MARCH 18, 2012.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE


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Ojukwu’s burial programmes unveiled

On February 8, 2012 · In Ojukwu's Burial BY CALEB AYANSINA

ABUJA – Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Wednesday, revealed that the burial rite of Eze Igbo Gburu Gburu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu will take a national outlook, featuring prominent people from all walks of life from within and outside the country.

Senator Chukwumerije, who is the Vice-Chairman of the burial committee in a briefing in Abuja, explained that due to Ojukwu’s stature, series of activities are scheduled to take place in all parts of the country and abroad.

According to him, social and political groups such as the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) as well as intellectual bodies would all be integrated into the programme and are all welcome without inhibitions.

The programme which commences formally from, Wednesday, with the mounting of billboards in all strategic places in the country, has all the states in the old Eastern Region firmly represented and playing active role in the burial.

Chukwumerije announced that youth bodies in the South East states would commence the Icho Mmadu (looking for the deceased) in every part of the zone so as to bring up the tempo of the burial to the hinterland and the nooks and crannies of the country.

He added that special prayer for Nigeria and Justice for Ndigbo and other groups in the country would be held on Sunday, while same Icho Mmadu would be held in Zungeru, where Ojukwu was born and in Abidjan, where he took refuge after the Civil war.

There would be similar programmes in Kaduna and Accra, while people in Seme, Abidjan and citizens in Diaspora would also carry out their activities on Wednesday, as well as in Nigeria in Makurdi, Benue state, Kano, Calabar, Kano, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, Lagos, Aba, Owerri, Umuahia, Aba, Enugu, Awka and Nnewi at dates between February 14 and 25th.

The remains of the foremost Igbo personality would arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on February 27th, where a programme tagged Onye Ije Nnoo (welcome home) would be held, while the body would depart immediately to major towns in the South East, for further funeral ceremonies.

The final journey for the Eze Igbo Gburu Gburu would take place with a National Funeral Ceremony on 29th, with series of activities going on simultaneously in Awka and Nnewi, while the interment would take place on March 2nd in Nnewi according to the Nnewi customs and traditions.

The Senator, who said he was sitting in for Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, chairman of the committee explained that though the Federal Government is yet to make known to the committee its level of involvement in the burial, it has received assurances from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim of full participation in the burial.

The lawmaker noted that though the earlier burial programmes were disrupted by the nationwide fuel subsidy strikes, saying, “activities lined up for his burial will progressively increase in scale and intensity as the interment date draws closer”.

He also added that the programme he reeled out were the outcome of agreement reached with the family and Nnewi traditional institution.

“There will be all sorts of people coming to the south east and particularly to Enugu and Nnewi at that period. They are all welcome. We expect MASSOB, social and youth groups, masquerade groups as well as other groups and all of them are welcome. The only thing I can say is that we have contacted all arms of security in the country and security of everyone is guaranteed.

“You know Ojukwu is one of the greatest leaders produced by this country so, everyone is welcome. The funeral will be conducted with the highest level of peace and tranquillity; it will be a solemn occasion and though he will be buried in the highest tradition of Nnewi town, we don’t want to parochialize the programmes, but he will get national burial,” he explained.
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How Ojukwu died in London

On November 27, 2011 · In Headlines ..
By Our Reporters

22 days after his 78th birthday, former Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu succumbed to the cold hands of death.

The family said in a statement that their patriarch died of stroke in the Royal Berkshire Hospital, United Kingdom, in the early hours of yesterday.

The National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the platform on which Ojukwu sought to become president in 2003 and 2007, and which Board of Trustees (BoT) he headed, Chief Victor Umeh, said the former warlord, passed on at about 2.30 a.m. yesterday.

Ojukwu had been flown to the London hospital almost one year ago, precisely December 23, 2010, after he suffered what doctors called “massive stroke” and went unconscious.

He was initially treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, before the trip abroad in an air ambulance.


Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu
Tributes poured in, in torrents, yesterday, as the death of the man who led the Igbo on a secessionist bid in the name of Biafra between 1966 and 1970 spread across the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan said the memory of the late Ojukwu would live forever, given the “uncommon qualitative leadership he gave to his people”.

General Yakubu Gowon, who was Head of State during the civil war, said Ojukwu, after Biafra, joined to move Nigeria forward.

The governor of his home state, Anambra, Mr. Peter Obi, in a statement, entitled, `Our father is gone’, said the Igbo and the nation have lost a treasure.

The family statement, announcing the man fondly called `Ikemba Nnewi’, his traditional title, was signed by his son, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Entitled, “We thank God for Ikemba Ojukwu’s productive life on earth: Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu is dead”, the statement read: “After a protracted and brave fight against stroke, the People’s General, Ikemba Nnewi, Dikedioranma Ndigbo, Odenigbo Ngwo, Ezeigbo Gburugburu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu died in the early hours of today (yesterday) in London.

“We thank all those that showed concern in our period of difficulties, starting from the President of the country, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR. We thank, in a special way, the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi who went above and beyond the call of duty to look after him. Besides paying the hospital bills, he visited London on a monthly basis to see him. He was there yesterday and only came back this morning to receive the news, whereupon he entered the next available flight back to London. He even had to fly Economy Class since other classes were fully booked. We thank him for the sacrifices.

“We thank all Nigerians for their solidarity, especially those that continued to pray for him. May you continue to pray for the repose of his soul. Further details shall be made available”.

He was born on November 4, 1933 in Zungeru in today’s Niger State.

When Igbo leaders converged at the GRA, Enugu residence of Ojukwu on November 4, 2011 to mark his 78th birthday in his absence, little did they know that the funeral of Eze Igbo Gburugburu was coming so soon.

But what appeared to be a premonition of his death was made during the well-attended ceremony organized by the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, when it was announced that the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke, would leave for London to pray for Ojukwu and anoint him.

Although several speakers, including the clergy, prayed fervently for his quick recovery and early return to his fatherland, the mood of the people that graced the occasion conveyed the impression that the ex-warlord may not return alive.

The National Chairman of Ojukwu’s All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, told the audience that the Catholic Archbishop would depart for London to pray for Ojukwu as other prominent members of the clergy including bishops from some orthodox churches had done since Ojukwu was flown to London on December 23, 2010 aboard a German Air Ambulance hired by Anambra State government.

Okeke actually traveled to London in the second week of November and anointed Ojukwu, prayed for him and returned to Nigeria, last week, but details of his trip to the hospital could not be ascertained. Sunday Vanguard learnt that when the former Biafran leader’s condition deteriorated, last weekend, Governor Peter Obi left for London to see him. He was said to be on his way back to Nigeria when he heard of Ojukwu’s death, yesterday morning, and returned to London where he joined the wife of the former warlord, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, and others who had taken care of him in the hospital since the last one year.

Ojukwu was hit by what medical experts described as “massive stroke” on December 1, 2010. He was attended to by a team of medical experts who battled to resuscitate him at home before he was moved to the ICU of the UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu.

From the time Ojukwu was attacked by stroke, up till the time he was moved to London, he was said to be under “generous support” by his wife, Bianca, the APGA and the governor of Anambra State “From the time he was attacked by stroke till the present day he has been under generous support by his wife, Bianca Ojukwu, the APGA and His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State. When he first took ill on December 1, he was immediately looked after by two Professors of Medicine here in Enugu namely Professor Vincent Ike, a Consultant Cardiologists and Professor Augustine Nwabueze, a British-trained Consultant Neuro physician,”APGA National Chairman, Umeh, said while reacting to the allegation that Ojukwu had been abandoned by his associates on account of his ill-health. “Under their close watch, Dim Ojukwu was managed with excellent medical knowledge within the first two weeks and when he slipped into coma on December 19, 2010 he was immediately moved to the UNTH Enugu where he was taken in by the Intensive Care Unit of the Teaching Hospital.

“Before he slipped into coma efforts were initiated and intensified to fly him abroad. We had to go through the process of getting visa and arranging Air Ambulance to evacuate him from Nigeria. When the situation was deteriorating, efforts were intensified in all these directions and successfully on December 23, Dim Ojukwu was flown to London by a German Air Ambulance that came directly from France to Enugu to take him. He was accompanied on that trip under very critical condition by his dear wife, Bianca Ojukwu and his Chief of Staff, Prince Bob Onyema. Two of them with the Ambulance Team left Enugu airport for London under very critical condition.

“In London, he was immediately admitted at the London Clinic where he was moved into the Intensive Care Unit, ICU. From December 2010 to March 2011, Ojukwu remained in the ICU of London Clinic. It was by the mercy of God that he went through that process and recovered consciousness and came out of ICU. There is no gainsaying that all the people he met at the ICU, I mean co-patients including those that came in after him all died except him to the Glory of God.

“When he recovered sufficiently at the London Clinic, he was moved to Wellington Hospital still in London where he stayed between March and May this year. There his recovery was intensely facilitated. When he improved substantially, he was again moved to Lydenhill Therapeutic Centre in Twyford which is very famous in the world for physiotherapy. All these three hospitals mentioned enjoy excellent facilities with very brilliant doctors and other professionals.

“At the Lynenhill centre, he had chest infection due to cough and he was quickly moved to Berkshire hospital that was nearby the Therapeutic Centre and he has since been there under excellent care and he is responding to treatment. All his medical bills from December 23 when he was moved to London and around these various hospitals, had been promptly paid by the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi till date.”

Umeh also explained that while in London, Bianca remained with Ojukwu except on the occasional times she visited Nigeria to see her children and take care of the few house needs before going back to London. He said: “Since Ojukwu’s movement to London I as the National Chairman of APGA and my wife have visited him in February and also visited him after the election in May where I went to brief him on the outcome of the elections. The governor of Anambra State had also visited him. When I was in London, our new Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha came on May 13 with his wife and I took them to the hospital where they saw Ojukwu.

“Other notable members of our party have also visited Ojukwu in London since then. The acting Nigerian High Commissioner to London, His Excellency, Ambassador Dozie Nwanna who hails from Awka, since Ojukwu’s arrival in London on December 23, became part of the daily routine for monitoring his health, first as the Nigerian High Commissioner to London and two, as an Igbo man including his wife.”

The APGA chief further said: “Former Health Minister, Dr. Tim Menakaya, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and so many other Igbos had visited Ojukwu in London, adding that at the London Clinic and Wellington hospital “Ojukwu is known as a General and excellent and qualified professionals took special interest in him and they said they have never had such a patient in their history going by the way people had been coming to see him, that he must be a famous man.”

How Ojukwu left for UK in air ambulance

AT the Intensive Care Unit of UNTH, medical experts declared that Ojukwu had a cerebra-vascular accident otherwise called stroke. The hospital only tried to sustain him for few days and in the process prepared him for the critical journey to London.

On December 23, Ojukwu began his last journey to London, the United Kingdom aboard the German Air Ambulance. He was evacuated from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu at 1.52 pm to United Kingdom by Flight Ambulance International of Germany hired by Anambra State government. The flight was said to be the first international aircraft to move from the airport which was granted an international status by the Jonathan-led Federal Government mid last year.

Being an international flight, four officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service were at the Enugu airport to stamp Ojukwu’s international passport, that of his wife, Bianca and his Chief of Staff, Prince Jonathan Bob Onyema, who accompanied him on the medical trip.

There was a mild drama at the UNTH while Ojukwu was being taken to the Enugu airport when his aides and family members at the hospital cordoned off the ICU to prevent journalists from taking pictures as he was being evacuated.

His movement into the Enugu State Emergency Management Response Team ambulance at 10.55 a.m. that fateful day was handled with caution as medical experts warned that the life supporting machine could stop functioning if mishandled. The former Biafran leader was brought to the airport at 11.40 am accompanied by Governor Obi, APGA chieftains and his family members among others.

He was driven to the Air Force Wing of the airport where the air ambulance was stationed. The Enugu Air Force Commander, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan, had given approval for the use of the Air Force Wing as a mark of respect for the then ailing General.

The slow but steady journey from UNTH located at Ituku-Ozalla to the airport at Emene, Enugu was described as very smooth but the journey, which normally takes about 10 to 15 minutes, lasted for about 45 minutes as the ambulance driver drove with strict caution.

On arrival at the airport, Ojukwu was driven close to the side of the air Ambulance which had touched down at 10.45 am and headed straight to the Air Force Wing of the airport. The crew members immediately evacuated him into the white aircraft marked D-CSIX.

The air ambulance itself, according to an aviation expert, was an Intensive Care Unit with sophisticated medical facilities that could sustain a patient airborne for several hours like a normal ICU of a first class hospital.

The Ikemba’s aides confirmed on December 24, 2010 that Ojukwu arrived the London Hospital without hitches and was accorded first class treatment by medical experts there until he gave up the ghost in the early hours of yesterday.

78th birthday

When Ojukwu was celebrated by his associates at his 78th birthday in Enugu on November 4, 2011, the gathering was a carnival of sort. Igbo leaders who addressed the gathering, poured glorious tributes on him. Those in the gathering for his recovery believing that a miracle could happen for Ikemba to return alive.

Bianca, who returned from London a day before the event, was present and she stood firmly to collect the numerous tributes showered upon her spouse. Former Biafran officers, politicians, clergy men from different denominations and members of the Chief Ralph Uwazurike-led Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) attended the occasion en-masse.

Although Uwazurike said Ojukwu’s birthday celebration would continue even after his death, the manner in which the Ikemba was revered at that event gave the impression that he was indeed loved by Igbos and could be rightly described as an icon that would ever be remembered by all Igbo.

Gowon: After Biafra, he joined in moving Nigeria forward

Gowon, yesterday, described the demise of Ojukwu as a rude shock. According to him, the late Ikemba Nnewi was a reliable friend. “The passing away of this man of excellence is shocking. Whether we like it or not, Ojukwu will be remembered as a man who tried to have a country of his own but when he couldn’t succeed returned and joined in moving Nigeria forward. He tried to become president but unfortunately he couldn’t make it,” Gowon said in a tribute.

“Really it is sad he is gone. I wish his soul reposed in the Lord and pray that God will give his family and entire Nigerians the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, the Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria during the Ojukwu-led Igbo secession between 1967 – 70 said.

Former Minister of Communications, General Tajudeen Olanrewaju and foremost traditional ruler, Igwe Alex Nwokedi, in their reactions, described Ojukwu as a leader with a difference.

Ojukwu’s love for Ndigbo will live forever—Jonathan

Jonathan, in his own tribute, expressed sadness and a deep feeling of great national loss news of the passing away of Ojukwu.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said the memory of the late ex-warlord would live forever, given, essentially, the uncommon qualitative leadership he gave to his people.

The statement said Jonathan joined Chief Ojukwu’s family, the government and people of his home state, Anambra, the entire Igbo people of Nigeria and his friends, associates and followers across the country in mourning him.

According to the statement, the president urged them to be comforted by the knowledge that the deceased Biafran warlord lived a most fulfilled life, and has, in passing on, left behind a record of very notable contributions to the evolution of modern Nigeria which will assure his place in the history of the country.

“President Jonathan believes that late Chief Ojukwu’s immense love for his people, justice, equity and fairness which forced him into the leading role he played in the Nigerian civil war, as well as his commitment to reconciliation and the full reintegration of his people into a united and progressive Nigeria in the aftermath of the war, will ensure that he is remembered forever as one of the great personalities of his time who stood out easily as a brave, courageous, fearless, erudite and charismatic leader”, the statement said .

Jonathan called on Ojukwu’s family, his associates and followers to make his rites of passage a celebration of his most worthy and memorable life spent in the service of his people and the nation.

Ojukwu’s death, a reminder of Nigeria’s unfinished business – Tinubu

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) national leader and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said Ojukwu’s death marked the passage of one of the movers of Nigerian history in the 20th century. But he added that Ojukwu’s death should remind everyone of Nigeria’s unfinished federal business and the urgency to fix the problem, once and for all.

“Ojukwu’s death once again reminds all of us of the unfinished business of Nigerian federalism. If only for his memory, and to ensure that Nigeria never has to suffer again any crisis like the civil war, we must all rise as a people to fix Nigeria’s special challenges. That is why Nigeria must, as a matter of urgency convoke a sovereign national conference, where all these issues would be resolved”, the ACN leader said.

He said that federal-related tensions still persisted, 31 years after the civil war (1967-1970), just proved the depth of the feeling of marginalisation and perceived unfairness by critical stakeholders in the Nigerian union. The former governor said though Ojukwu was a controversial figure, he made his mark during the era of the titans of Nigerian politics and governance.

“Ojukwu, the Ikemba and Eze Igbo Gburugburu, meant many things to many people. But his greatness was that he stood his own such that, even with the constellation of stars of his age and time, he still made his mark – and profoundly so. You might love Ojukwu and you might hate him. But you could never be indifferent about him nor could you ignore him,” Tinubu said.

He said the late Biafrian war leader was a revolutionary, almost from the womb.

A chapter has closed – Ogbulafor

A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, who described him as a very close friend of his late father, Eze J.J. Ogbulafor, stressed that Ojukwu was a very great man who meant well for the people of Igbo, adding that with his death, a chapter of history has closed.

Ikemba’s death a rude shock- Nwodo

Another former national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, described Ojukwu’s death as a rude shock. Nwodo, a former governor of Enugu State, said, “Here unfortunately is the end of an era. An era when men were men, who leaved and fought for what they believed in and were ready to pay the supreme sacrifice for their believe. Ikemba was a leader made in this mould”. The former PDP boss also noted that Ojukwu was blessed with great erudition and communication skills that assisted him greatly in prosecuting the Nigeria Biafra war, adding that the legendary ingenious Biafra Technology can be ascribed to his leadership.

Ojukwu was the issue — Senate

THE Senate said Ojukwu was the issue in Nigeria’s evolutionary process.

In a statement by the chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia Central, the Senate noted that the upper chambers and indeed Nigeria as a nation will surely miss him.

According to him, “Dim Ojukwu was a visionary leader whose passion for a Nigeria where every federating unit would be proud of belonging to was unparalleled. He saw tomorrow and his action and passion for a truly united Nigeria shaped our socio-political environment of today.”
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Chief Dr.Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu mourns wife, Lady Eudora as he turns 69 today. ADMIN Sep 4, 2011 • 3:24 PM 8 CommentsAs Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu marks his 69th Birthday today, one thing he could have wished for was the presence of his loving wife, best friend and confidante, Lady Eudora who was snatched away by the cold hands of death exactly one week ago.(8/28/11) The stage was set for a Grand birthday party for the King-maker on this day, September 4th, 2011. Sadly in its place, a Prayer session / Service of Songs is being held in honour of the Late Lady Eudora Iwuayanwu at their London residence.