Why I celebrate late Nigerian Igbo leader Ojukwu, every year – Activist
Nigeria
A Nigerian activist who is the founder of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, has said that he found in a late Igbo Leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as a rallying force for the Igbo natives unity.
He said that is why he has always celebrated Ojukwu’s birthday since 1994, in conjunction with a memorial lecture in his honour, since his passing in 2011.
Uwazuruike noted that without unity the Igbo natives in Nigeria will never move forward.
“The only name that will foster the much needed unity is Ojukwu”, he said.
Speaking against the backdrop of this year’s Ojukwu Memorial Lecture, taking place November 26, 2024, he said, “In 2012, I started celebrating his memorial as a reminder to the Igbos that the quest for Igbo unity begins and ends with Ojukwu. I see Ojukwu as the Mahatma Gandhi of India and I believe that if Igbos respect and honour Ojukwu as Indians do, the unity of Igbos would be guaranteed.”
Uwazuruike, who said that Ojukwu had been his hero since childhood, said, “I used to hear and read about Ojukwu as a child. But around 1992 or so I was privileged to see him during a meeting of non-indigenes in Lagos southwest Nigeria where I led a group representing the Igbo community.
“Due to my contribution in the meeting he personally invited me to his house and from that private meeting with him he developed likeness for me. I have found in him a man of unquestionable character and someone that had genuine interest for the wellbeing of Igbos.
“I subsequently began to work under him for the interest of our people. I started celebrating his birthday from 1994 until his demise in 2011.
“My group and I have hosted Ojukwu memorial day since 2012 unbroken. The 2024 edition is the 13th. And I believe that as long as I live the celebration will continue.
Uwazuruike said that in this year’s lecture, which is the 13th in the series with the theme ‘Solidifying Igbo Unity’ all the cultural activities that are known in Igboland will be displayed, adding , “Prominent Igbos will use the event to express themselves on the happenings not only in Igboland but in Nigeria.”
According to him, prominent personalities including foreigners have graced the events.
The Ojukwu memorial day will begin on the 25th evening with a gala night and the main event will be held on the 26th, he said.
