A member of the Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Nigerians of Igbo extraction to sustain and build upon the legacy of late Biafran leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Honourable Augustine Onyekachukwu Ike made the appeal on Wednesday, November 26 during the 14th Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Day at the Ojukwu Memorial Library in Owerri, Imo State capital.
The lawmaker, who represents Nnewi North constituency and chairs the House Committee on Youth Development and Sports, invoked the ancient Greek philosopher Justin Martyr’s principle of logos spermatikos to illustrate his point, stressing the need to ‘water the seed of reason’ Ojukwu sowed. He described the late Igbo leader as the seed of reason for the Igbo people, noting that the late leader had planted this seed in Ralph Uwazurike.
Speaking to newsmen at the event, Hon. Ike urged ndi Igbo to know when to play down egalitarianism and advance Ojukwu’s ideals.
He apprised that efforts to immortalize the Igbo hero remain an ongoing process, pointing to existing tributes such as the annual Ojukwu Memorial Day, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, and other endeavours. The lawmaker said more ways would be found to honor Ojukwu as time progresses.
The memorial event, held annually on November 26 to mark the date of Ojukwu’s death in 2011, featured colorful activities including parades, masquerade displays, raffle draws, and other cultural performances.
Ojukwu, who led the secessionist state of Biafra during Nigeria’s civil war from 1967 to 1970, remains a towering figure in Igbo consciousness and Nigerian history. Wednesday’s commemoration marked 14 years since his passing and Chief Ralph Uwazurike, the Ijele Ndi Igbo, has continued to single-handedly host the annual event on behalf of Ndi Igbo.
Written by – Hooded Writer and Louis ‘Response’ C. Arupuo
