The former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, PhD, GCFR has charged Nigerian youths to emulate the sterling qualities in General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi, the Nigerian Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from January 15 to July 29, 1966 and Rt. Hon. Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, the Premier of the Eastern Region from 1960 to 1966. Obasanjo made the remarks when he paid condolence visits to the homes of the departed icons.
Obasanjo who was in company of the members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide started with the home of General Ironsi whose wife, Chief Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi died and was buried on November 6, 2021. The son of General Ironsi, Ambassador Thomas Ironsi and his family members were on ground at the Ironsi country home, Ibeku Umuahia to receive the Obasanjo entourage.
Obasanjo in his condolence message regretted his unavoidable absence during the burial of Mrs Ironsi. Obasanjo. He recalled his relationship with General Ironsi and his early years in the armed forces. He went through a memory lane and revealed how some Igbo army officers, especially Ironsi, Col. Njoku and a few others influenced his military reflexes most positively. He narrated with nostalgia the glorious years when the image of Nigeria towered so high among the comity of Nations, stating that for a Nigerian to command the peace keeping force in Congo was a function of the confidence the global community reposed in Nigeria of yore.
Chief Obasanjo recounted that the rise of General Ironsi in the army was entirely by dint of hard work, discipline and character. He added that the promotions in the army were purely on merit and for General Ironsi to have been found worthy to command the armed forces from various United Nations countries speaks volumes of the enviable qualities in the departed colleague. He therefore urged the Ironsi offspring and indeed all the Nigerian youths to emulate the virtues in Ironsi. Ambassador Ironsi, who was appointed an Ambassador and later the Minister of Defence under Obasanjo, expressed profound gratitude to Obasanjo and his entourage. Obasanjo later laid a wreath at the graveside of Mrs. Ironsi.
Chief Obasanjo and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo moved to the home of Dr.Okpara in Ohuhu-Umuahia where they were received by Uzodimma Okpara, the son of Dr. Okpara and eminent sons of the community. The leader of the Ohanaeze delegation, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR, in introducing Obasanjo regretted the unavoidable absence of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor and delivered the compliments of Obiozor. Emuchay pointed out that the stories of Eastern Nigeria cannot be complete without the mention of Okpara family. Emuchay highlighted the love Obasanjo has for the Igbo and that he has spent two days, shortly after his 85th birthday, in the South East of Nigeria to promote peace and love. Obasanjo had attended the maiden edition of the Chief Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; paid a visit to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma before arriving Abia State.
Emuchay qualified Obasanjo as a detribalized Nigerian, a passionate bridge builder, motivator, harmonizer of diverse interests and a focused leader whose roles in nation building can never be forgotten by generations yet unborn. In his condolence speech, Obasanjo commended Chief Uzodimma Okpara for taking care of Mama till her 99 years on earth. He regretted his inability to participate in the burial because he believes in honour to whom honour is due. Obasanjo cited the impact the Okpara family made not only in the Eastern Region but the entire country and that Dr. M I Okpara remains an exemplary nationalist among his contemporaries. Obasanjo stated that the history of our past is crucial for the future to have meaning. Obasanjo reflected on the life of Okpara and added that he does not envy Uzodimma because of the gargantuan size of the shoes left behind by Dr. Okpara; and that, as hard as Uzodimma may try, expectations will be difficult to fulfil. Obasanjo reminded the elite audience that the tribute we owe Okpara is to emulate his virtues.
Uzodimma in his response recounted the exceptional vision, courage, integrity, inclusiveness and extra-ordinary energy which characterized the Obasanjo administration. Uzodimma pointed out that the administration was competence based and that accounted for the several Igbo sons and daughters that donned his government. He used the occasion to recapitulate his father’s enviable attributes and how the Eastern Nigeria became the fastest growing economy in the world under M I Okpara. He recalled how Okpara rolled out several factories, colleges, schools and farm settlements across the length and breadth of the East within a few years of his administration. According to Uzodimma, Okpara devoted his life to the service of humanity.
Uzodimma eulogized the virtues of his mother, Chief Mrs Adamma Okpara as a charitable community and Church leader who lived her life in promoting christian values. Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, a former Chairman, Niger Delta Development Corporation (NNDC) under Obasanjo, also from Ohuhu commended Chief Obasanjo for naming the University at Umuahia after Dr. M. I. Okpara. Other members of the delegation included Prince Gary Igariwey, the former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Chief Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, former Governor of Imo State; Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary; Chief Mrs Rita Daniels Chukwujindu, National Women Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Chief Greg Mbadiwe and Mazi Ambrose Obioha, the Administrative Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The indefatigable Obasanjo moved straight to a prize winning ceremony of a school debate that centred on merits and demerits of education versus security. Obasanjo in addressing the audience commended the Government of Abia State, Rt. Rev Dr. Sunday Onuoha, the Methodist Bishop of Umuahia Diocese and the President, Vision Africa, and the school authorities for organising debates for students. He stressed the importance of debates in developing the art of communication and that one can only succeed relative to his or her communication skills.
Obasanjo explained to the students that the broad scope of security includes food security, economic security, cyber security, social security, etc. Obasanjo urged the students to always work hard for a better future. The elder statesman lamented that Nigeria is not yet a nation but a country with diverse groups, calling on leaders to strive towards improved nation building through manifest equity, justice and fairness because of the immense benefits we all stand to derive from Nigerian unity. Obasanjo received incredible applause at all the events he attended.
Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia,
National Publicity Secretary,
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide
