Some Nigerians in the United States of America have described the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, as “a very remarkable Nigerian’’, who will be missed by all, especially, the Igbo.
Odimegwu-Ojukwu, 78, died in the early hours of Saturday in a London hospital.????????????
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York on Saturday, they said? that Odumegwu-Ojukwu remained a great Nigerian in spite of his involvement in the civil war of 1967 to 1970.
They said his name would “never be missing in the history of Nigeria.
A Community Leader, Michael Adeniyi, said that Odumegwu- Ojukwu’s? return to Nigeria after many years in exile and participation in politics brought awareness to the plight of many Nigerians.
“He will be a pillar that will be always remembered in history now and forever. I wish him peaceful rest, may his soul rest in peace, may God comfort his family,’’ Adeniyi said.
Mr Chris Meregini said that the demise of Odumegwu-Ojukwu was a great loss to the? Igbo nation and added that, “we are going to miss him really.’’
“It is unfortunate now that the Igbo nation needed clear leadership and direction. We surely are going to miss him. We appreciate his contributions towards the Igbo nation.
“May his soul rest in peace. We extend our sincere heartfelt sympathy to his family. God will bless them and protect them,’’ Meregini said.
Deba Uwadiae said that the death of Ojukwu should be seen as a unifying path for Nigeria because of the issues he fought for, namely freedom of association, expression and freedom from oppression.
“He wanted a Nigeria where everyone should belong whether north, west, east or south. That is the kind of Nigeria he had in mind, may his soul rest in peace.
Biodun Ogunjobi described Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a true nationalist with wealth of wisdom, who believed in a just cause.
Nigerians in the UK have described the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a rare and committed leader.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who was the National leader of All Progressive Grand Alliance, died on Saturday in a London hospital.
Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK), Chief Bimbo Folayan,? said in an interview with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in London on Saturday that Odumegwu-Ojukwu was a committed leader.
“We, here in London, are devastated by his death given the fact that he breathed his last here: It is the will of God for him. May his soul rest in peace,’’ Folayan said.
Also, President, Akwa Ibom State Association (UK & Ireland), Ms Enewan Ebong, said his death had left a great vacuum in the political space of Nigeria.
Ebong described Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a “crowd puller’’ and added that his ideals would continue to shape Nigeria’s political processes.
“The history of Nigeria can never be complete without Ojukwu,’’ she said.
Meanwhile, The former National Chairman of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo has described the death of the former Biafran warlord Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as the end of an era.
In a release in Abuja, Nwodo said that the death of Ikemba Nnewi, came as a rude shock to all especially fervent prayers had been said and hopes raised on his recovery.
Nwodo, who was a one -time Governor Enugu state, added that “here, unfortunately, is the end of an era, an era when men were men.? Men who lived and fought for what they believed in and were ready to pay the supreme sacrifice for their belief.? Ikemba was a leader made in this mould”
Extolling Ojukwu’s great erudition and communication skills that assisted him greatly in prosecuting the Nigeria/ Biafra war, Nwodo noted that the legendry ingenious Biafra Technology could be ascribed to his leadership.