Some see him as a rebel, statesman,Man of his people, enemy of
Nigeria, while others call him power hungrydictator. However, for
majority in South-eastern Nigeria, he is a man though physically dead
lives in the mind of millions in the region.
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu wasborn on November 4, 1933 at Zungeru in northern Nigeria to Sir Louis Phillippe Odumegwu Ojukwu, a businessman from Nnewi in south-eastern Nigeria. Emeka, ashe was fondly called, began his educational career in Kings College, Lagos insouth-western Nigeria. At 13, his father sent him overseas to Great Britain tostudy at Epsom College, England. He left Epsom at 18 for Lincoln College,Oxford. At Oxford University, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in modern history. After graduate studies, he returned to colonial Nigeria. In 1957,within months of working with the colonial civil service, he left and joinedthe military as one of the first and few university graduates to join the army.Ojukwu came into national prominence upon his appointment as military governorin 1966 and his actions thereafter. A military coup against the civilian Nigerian federal government in January 1966 and a counter coup in July 1966 bydifferent military factions, perceived to be ethnic coups, resulted in pogromsin Northern Nigeria in which Igbos were predominantly killed. Ojukwu who wasnot an active participant in either coup was appointed the military governor o fNigeria's Eastern region in January 1966 by General Aguyi Ironsi.
Due to his love for Igbos, massive killing of Igbos in Northern Nigeria, political lawlessness, and uncontrolled looting; Ojukwu after due consultations with his people declared The Republic of Biafra in 30th May 1967. This led to 30 months war between Nigeria and Biafra which ended in 15 January 1970 with declaration by Nigerian Military Head of State General Yakubu Gowon ‘No Victor No Vanquish’.
He may be seen from any point of view by any person or group, he was a man that is loved by majority of Igbos.This earned him respect, names and titles. After returning from exile hecontested presidential election in 2003 Nigerian general election. On 26November 2011, Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu died in United Kingdom after a briefillness, aged 78.
Though dead, he lives in the mindof true Igbos as a man that loved and sacrificed his ALL for his belief in Igbo Nation.
By Okechukwu Ajaegbuhttps://www.facebook.com/ajaegbu/notes
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu wasborn on November 4, 1933 at Zungeru in northern Nigeria to Sir Louis Phillippe Odumegwu Ojukwu, a businessman from Nnewi in south-eastern Nigeria. Emeka, ashe was fondly called, began his educational career in Kings College, Lagos insouth-western Nigeria. At 13, his father sent him overseas to Great Britain tostudy at Epsom College, England. He left Epsom at 18 for Lincoln College,Oxford. At Oxford University, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in modern history. After graduate studies, he returned to colonial Nigeria. In 1957,within months of working with the colonial civil service, he left and joinedthe military as one of the first and few university graduates to join the army.Ojukwu came into national prominence upon his appointment as military governorin 1966 and his actions thereafter. A military coup against the civilian Nigerian federal government in January 1966 and a counter coup in July 1966 bydifferent military factions, perceived to be ethnic coups, resulted in pogromsin Northern Nigeria in which Igbos were predominantly killed. Ojukwu who wasnot an active participant in either coup was appointed the military governor o fNigeria's Eastern region in January 1966 by General Aguyi Ironsi.
Due to his love for Igbos, massive killing of Igbos in Northern Nigeria, political lawlessness, and uncontrolled looting; Ojukwu after due consultations with his people declared The Republic of Biafra in 30th May 1967. This led to 30 months war between Nigeria and Biafra which ended in 15 January 1970 with declaration by Nigerian Military Head of State General Yakubu Gowon ‘No Victor No Vanquish’.
He may be seen from any point of view by any person or group, he was a man that is loved by majority of Igbos.This earned him respect, names and titles. After returning from exile hecontested presidential election in 2003 Nigerian general election. On 26November 2011, Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu died in United Kingdom after a briefillness, aged 78.
Though dead, he lives in the mindof true Igbos as a man that loved and sacrificed his ALL for his belief in Igbo Nation.
By Okechukwu Ajaegbuhttps://www.facebook.com/ajaegbu/notes
