Ojukwu's Place In Nigerian History Is Assured - Jonathan

SAN FRANCISCO, November 26, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with much sadness and a deep feeling of great national loss news of the passing away of Chief Chukwemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in the United Kingdom.

A statement by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, said “President Jonathan joins Chief Ojukwu’s family, the government and people of his home state, Anambra, the entire Igbo people of Nigeria and his friends, associates and followers across the country in mourning him.

“The President urges them to be comforted by the knowledge that Chief Ojukwu lived a most fulfilled life, and has in passing on, left behind a record of very notable contributions to the evolution of modern Nigeria which will assure his place in the history of the country.

“President Jonathan believes that late Chief Ojukwu’s immense love for his people, justice, equity and fairness which forced him into the leading role he played in the Nigerian civil war, as well as his commitment to reconciliation and the full reintegration of his people into a united and progressive Nigeria in the aftermath of the war, will ensure that he is remembered forever as one of the great personalities of his time who stood out easily as a brave, courageous, fearless, erudite and charismatic leader.

“The President calls on Chief Ojukwu’s family, his associates and followers to make his rites of passage a celebration of his most worthy and memorable life spent in the service of his people and the nation.

“He prays that God Almighty will grant Chief Ojukwu’s soul eternal rest from his earthly labours.”