WAR VETERANS 'INVADE' OJUKWU'S COUNTRY HOME

Country home of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in Nnewi, Anambra State, was a beehive of activities as sympathisers and associates trooped in en mass to condole with his family and sign the condolence register.

The condolence register, which was kept in his 'Obi,' was opened at 4.30pm yesterday after a long and thorough cleaning, clearing and decoration by members of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), who took up residence in the massive compound, earlier this week.

Addressing reporters, Comrade Uche Madu, MASSOB's national director for information, who was the first to sign the register, said every Igbo person should have access to registers opened anywhere in Nigeria.

According to him, 'the condolence register, which has been opened here today, at the directive of Uwazurike, is a symbol of love, loyalty and pride for our late leader, who we believe has gone to the next world to fight for us from there. We are filled with sorrow at his departure and would want to immortalise him as much as we can, so we call on all Igbo to state how they feel about Ojukwu's death here.

'We equally ask the Federal Government to use the rehabilitation of the Onitsha-Okigwe express way, which is in shambles, as one way to immortalise him, as people will travel the road to Nnewi for his burial.'

The MASSOB leader pleaded with Igbo to wear Biafran bangles and black T-shirts, as a sign of mourning, during the seven-day mourning.

Madam Virginia Ubazuonu, a community leader from Nnewi, who was among the first to sign the register, said she came to identify with Ojukwu's family.

Hear her: 'Ojukwu is my father. I learnt so much from him. I was filled with grief when I learnt of his passage. As you can see, his death has not diminished his image, but rather brought his kingship to limelight. May his soul rest in peace.'

Some Biafran veterans also signed the register in Ojukwu's country home. Leading the delegation, Major Bernard Ndu, said that they came to condole with the bereaved family and identify with them at the time of grief.

Ndu, who described the late Ojukwu as a hero, said ex-Biafran soldiers loved him because he suffered with his men during the civil war.

Another veteran, Capt. Fidelis Ochiegbe, told Saturday Sun that Ojukwu's death has inlicted a deep wound that may not heal in the hearts of his followers. He prayed that the warlord's soul rests in peace.