The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has described the late Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu as a hero ,? and a symbol of the Igbo struggle for a better Nigeria.
Reacting to the death of Ojukwu, Okonjo-Iweala stated that Ojukwu was a man who had the courage of his convictions and that his example should serve as an inspiration for Nigerians to stand for what they believe in.
Okonjo-Iweala recalled vividly her war time experiences in Biafra and said that what made Ojukwu exceptional was that after fighting a war in pursuit of his convictions, he returned to contribute to the Nigerian project.
She prayed to the Almighty God to comfort the Odumegwu-Ojukwu family, the Igbo people and the entire Nigerian nation.
However, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organization of Ndigbo, yesterday told Ndigbo to use the death of Ojukwu as an opportunity to reinvigorate the Igbo political, social and economic renaissance.
In a statement, Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Federal Capital Territory , Barrister Nwabueze Obi, expressed deep concern for the demise of the political pillar and icon of Ndigbo, saying that with the death of Ikemba, an integral part of Ndigbo is in ”coma”.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, FCT, is deeply saddened by the passing on of the quintessential and iconic Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Eze Igbo Gburugburu. No doubt, it is the end of an eventful era. With the Ikemba’s passage, an integral part of Ndigbo is in coma,” he said.