The President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has described the late Ikemba of nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, as “a rare patriot and humanist.”
Jonathan, who was represented by his deputy, Architect Namadi Sambo, said there was no doubt that Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s life epitomised his love for Nigeria.
The President spoke at the national inter-denominational funeral rites and lying-in-state for Odumegwu-Ojukwu at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.
Jonathan said: “Ojukwu was indeed a rare patriot because his life epitomized enduring love for the country he belonged to and a special place of Nigeria, a relentless critical love.
“Critical, because he wanted to be the best he could be, a civil, just, prosperous and a united nation where no one is oppressed and a rare humanist because his love for humanity was particularly defined by self sacrifice.
“Ojukwu has played significant role in Nigeria’s return to democracy since the Fourth Republic began in 1999. He has contested as the presidential candidate of his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, for the last three elections and until his illness he remained the party leader, the party that was in control of two states and largely influential among the Igbo ethnic area of Nigeria.”
Jonathan was not the only one who eulogised Odumegwu-Ojukwu at the service.
Others who showered encomiums on Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who is to be interred today, included a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowonl Ghana’s former military ruler, General Jerry Rawlings; and Nobel Laurette, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
Gowon said Odumegwu-Ojukwu would forever be remembered for “his courage, focus, boldness and unwavering desire to fight for justice, equity and fair play for his people.
“Dim Ojukwu loved Nigeria so much, he merely wanted to opt out over perceived injustice to his people.”
Rawlings said Odumegwu-Ojukwu remains a symbol of Nigeria’s unity.
He said that the ex-Biafran war lord stood for the unity of the country even in the face of threat to his life.
Soyinka urged Nigerians to emulate the leadership qualities of Odumegwu-Ojukwu.