Following the clamour for a formal burial for millions of Anambra
indigenes who lost their lives in the Nigerian Civil War, the World War
II and pockets of sporadic violence in the country, the Government of
Anambra State yesterday performed a formal rite of passage for the
fallen heroes and heroines as well as the civilian victims of the
Nigerian Civil War, the World War II, the pogroms and other ethnic and
religious violence in the country.
The very elaborate but solemn
ceremony which took place at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, attracted
distinguished Igbo sons and daughters from the entire South Eastern
geopolitical zone including the former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme
and the maverick billionaire businessman, Prince Engineer Arthur Eze,
Chief Victor Umeh, APGA National Chairman and Captain Emmanuel
Iheanacho, APGA gubernatorial candidate in Imo State among many others.
Delivering a highly emotional address under the title – Ozoemezina:
Memory and the Quest for Igbo Renaissance, the governor of Anambra
State, Chief Willie Obiano explained that the event aptly tagged
Ozoemezina (Never Again!) was held in response to the strident calls
from Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora for a formal burial for their
kit and kin who lost their lives in the Civil War and the endless cycles
of violence that characterize the country.
In a voice that
quavered with emotion, governor Obiano recalled that “thousands of these
people died because they believed in the ideal of a united and strong
Nigeria. They died courageously because our people do not acknowledge
fear.”
Describing Ndigbo as a great people whose entrepreneurial
drive has taken to known and unknown places in pursuit of wealth
–creating opportunities, Governor Obiano declared that Ndigbo do not
have a SINGLE STORY.
Said he, “we are the owners of a proud
history; paved with pain and anguish and watered by the blood of the
innocent. Hardly is there a family in this gathering without a story; a
story of profound loss. But beside every story of loss sits a story of
success; of glory and of abundance. Ndi Anambra, to the glory of God, we
are not a people with a SINGLE STORY…we are a proud, intensely driven,
hardworking, innovative, adventurous and forward-looking people with
more gifts than the world can take!”
Situating the event within
the ebb and flow of time, Governor Obiano observed that the ceremony was
the beginning of a long symbolic “look backwards, beyond the immediate
horizon of our national experience, to honour the memories of our loved
ones who lost their lives to the various dark chapters of our national
history.”
Waxing rather philosophical, Governor Obiano observed
that “in doing this, we are guided by our belief that life itself is an
unbroken stream of experiences stitched together by memory. Without
memory, life assumes the attributes of a futile gaze into the void of
time!”
The governor also pointed out that it was an integral part
of the Igbo culture to recall the events of the past as an important
guide to the future, explaining that this belief was succinctly captured
in the Igbo saying that Ncheta ka (Recall is supreme).
Comparing
the Igbo experience to the Jewish Holocaust and the Rwandan Genocide,
Governor Obiano regretted that while those two extra-ordinary events in
human history had been etched on global memory through a carefully
directed effort, the response of Ndigbo to their own tragic history
lacked boldness and organization.
Throwing more light on the
reason behind the formal burial accorded the fallen heroes and heroines,
Obiano explained that Igbo “culture upholds the centrality of ‘burial’
as a crucial epilogue in the narrative of life.”
He praised
Ndigbo as the “inheritors of an uncommon valour” which makes it easier
for them to climb over an awful experience and rebuild the broken walls
of friendship that will open fresh doors of hope. “We do this with ease
because we are a people of the faith. We believe in the centrality of
God in the affairs of men, we are bold enough to accept the cruel
verdict of fate and bury our dead with fanfare!” he reasoned.
Concluding, Governor Obiano observed that with the ceremony, “we honour
our dead in words and deeds. We offer them a final resting place; a
sanctuary where their memory will forever ruffle the leaves of time.
Today, as we lay down their memorial stones, we bring closure to the
wanderings of our brothers and sisters whose great souls have yearned
for the dignity of a formal burial over the last half century.”
The governor also called on Ndigbo to vote massively for President
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan in the February 14 Presidential
elections as he represented the best hope for national integration and
unity for the country. He also urged them to vote for all the candidates
standing election in various states of the federation on the platform
of APGA.
Also delivering a Homily at the Ecumenical Service held
as part of the ceremony, the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus
Ezeokafor applauded governor Obiano for the initiative which he said
had enlarged the scope of the activities marking this year’s edition of
the Armed forces Remembrance Day.
According to him, the event was
special because, “we are not only celebrating patriotism, the sacrifice
of life and limbs mad eby some members of the armed Forces in the
various conflicts – the World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, the peace
Missions to Congo, Darfur etc – but also commemorating the civilians,
especially Ndigbo, who lost their lives and property during the
Nigerian-Biafran War and the various riots and insurgencies in Nigeria.”
Observing that “what is remembered and how it is remembered is of
utmost importance,” Bishop Ezeokafor argued that the identity of
individuals and communities are tied up with the memories they keep
alive through stories and celebrations.
Underscoring the
importance of memory, Bishop Ezeokafor observed that “the history of the
modern Igbo nation cannot be complete without the narrative of the
Nigerian-Biafran war. Bseides, recent events in Nigerian history would
remain incomprehensible without knowledge of that war. It is therefore
my view that efforts should be made to promote greater awareness of that
pivotal event in our lives as Ndigbo and as Nigerians,” he surmised.
Highlights of the event were the parade by unveiling of the cenotaph
for the fallen heroes and heroines, a parade by different socio-cultural
groups who paid a condolence visit to the Governor as the Chief-Mourner
and a colourful display of masquerades as is typical of the burial
ceremony of a wealthy Igbo personage.
Present at the highly
successful ceremony are Former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Deputy
Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, National Chairman of APGA,
Chief Vicor Umeh, Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Princess
Chinwe Nwaebili, Secretary to the State Government, Oseloka Obaze, Civil
War veterans, Col. Joe Achuzia, Col. Ben Gbulie, Col. E.M Udeaja, Col.
Emma Nwobosi, the Chief of Staff to the governor of Anambra State, Prof.
Joe Asike and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Jnr, son of the legendary
Biafran warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
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