Eminent Nigerians yesterday morning, gathered at the Tafawa Balewa Square,
Lagos, southwest Nigeria, where they showered tributes on the late Dim
Chukwu Odumegwu Ojukwu.The dignitaries include; Deputy governor of Anambra State, Emeka Sibeudu, Chief Dibe Odumegwu Ojukwu, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Laz Lazarus, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo, Niyi Adebayo, former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Tunji Braithwaite, Dr. Sylvanus Ebigwei, President, Aka Ekenga, Rafiu Ladipo and Ambassador Segun Olusola.
Others are Prof Pat Utomi, Pascal Dozie, Chris Eze, Emeka Obasi, Bisi Olatilo, Dr. Paddy Njoku, foremost politicians, captains of industry among others.
Speaking on the life and times of the ex-Biafran warlord, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, described the late Ojukwu as a consummate soldier and inspiring administrator whose political views will be greatly missed in Nigeria.
“Ojukwu was a consummate soldier, a very inspiring administrator, an icon of integrity and a commitment to his people and the country. His political views will be greatly missed,” he said.
Chief Laz Lazarus described him as a great man who fought for justice, equity and fairness.
He said: “ Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu was a great man. He fought for what some of us believed in. He stands for equity, justice and fairness.
The former governor of Ekiti State on the platform of Alliance for Democracy, AD, Niyi Adebayo, described him as a charismatic leader and one of the greatest people that ever came out of Nigeria.
“He was a charismatic leader and one of the greatest people that has ever come out of Nigeria. The history of Nigeria cannot be complete without stating the contribution of Ojukwu. The federal government has its own way of honouring its dead heroes and I have no doubt that he will be honoured as well,” he said.
His son, Chief Dibe Odumegwu Ojukwu described his father as a great and courageous man who led the Igbos transparently, adding that it will be very difficult to get someone that will fill the vaccum he left behind.
Meanwhile, response to the instruction from Ohaneze Ndigbo, Igbo traders in Lagos and those at the popular Computer Village, Ikeja, this morning observed a partial closure of their shops to honour Ojukwu whose rite of passage has commenced.
Speaking with newsmen this morning, chairman of the market’s Phone and Allied Dealers’ Association, Ike Nwosu said Ohaneze Ndigbo gave the order that all markets where there are many Igbo traders should close shops today and devote time to honour the Eze Igbo Gburugburu, Chief Ojukwu.
Nwosu said other markets in other states in Nigeria have been closed for the late Biafra leader, adding that it is the turn of Igbo traders in Lagos to honour Ojukwu.
However, since there are Yoruba and other traders at the Ikeja Computer Village, some traders opened shops and were attending to customers this morning.
Major stakeholders at the Computer Village who opened for business this morning include SLOT, Samsung and Nokia.
But the majority of the other traders in computer village, mostly Igbos wore their T-shirts and were heading towards Tafawa Balewa Square, venue of a programme in honour of Ojukwu.
According to reports by our correspondents, other markets in Lagos where their traders obeyed the order to close shop include Ladipo Spare Parts Market, Alaba International Market and Trade Fair Market.
The Rivers State Government announced the postponement of the public lecture in honour of the late Ojukwu, earlier slated for today.
The new date is tomorrow at 9 a.m.. The venue for the public lecture in honour of Odumegwu Ojukwu is still at the Auditorium of the Rivers State House of Assembly along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
Mrs. Ibim Semenitari announced the postponement to Government House Press Corps at the close of the state Executive Council meeting. No reason was given for the shift.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Worgu Boms who represents the State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in the Central Planning Committee for Ojukwu’s burial had earlier announced that there will be a public lecture on Tuesday during a media briefing at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Those expected at the lecture are the Governors of the former Eastern Region comprising Rivers, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra and Bayelsa states.
The lecture will be delivered by former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, while former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Onueze Okocha will also deliver a paper. According to Wogu Boms.
The lecture is titled: “Eastern Region: Reminiscences”
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