…MORE ENCOMIUMS FOR HIM

Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, has said history would judge the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu aright because he acted at the most expected time, to save his people. Umeadi, who led other legal officers in the state to sign the condolence register opened at the Judiciary Headquarters, Awka, for the late warlord, noted that Ojukwu, in his lifetime embraced history and lived history.

The legal officer wrote in the condolence register: 'Adieu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. In your lifetime, you embraced history. You were a historian and you eventually lived history. History would judge you aright for you acted timely. 'Adieu. I appreciate the positive comments since your sad demise, which have come from yesterday's protagonists. The best is yet to come for you and your life in history. May the most High God forgive you your sins and admit your brave, gentle and loving soul in paradise, Amen.'

In his own tribute, Justice Pete Obiorah said Ojukwu's life was full of events that shaped the history of his people, but regretted that three decades after the war, the issues that led to it were still threatening the Nigerian nation.

He wrote: 'Yours was a life full of events that shaped our history as a people. It is sad that the issues for which you took up arms against the Nigerian State is still germane today and still threatens the corporate existence of our nation more than three decades after the end of the civil war. May the good Lord keep your soul in peace.'

Among them that signed the register include Revd Fr. Cyprian Okpalakunne, who said: 'Even though it is said 'Igbo enwe eze', but history has entrusted you with the title 'Ezeigbogburugburu' because you stood for and fought for the cause of Igbo nation, fighting injustice, oppression, marginalization etc. You deserve your rest. Rest in the bosom of the Lord.'