Hundreds gathered to celebrate the life and times of Biafra’s former leader at a special event in Dublin’s National Basketball Arena on 11 March.
Chief Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu died in a London hospital on 27 November 2011 after a long illness, aged 78. He was buried on 1 March 2012 following a long series of traditional rites across the world.
General Ojukwu’s 1967 declaration of independence in the now-defunct Nigerian state of Biafra led to a 30-month civil war that claimed the lives of over a million Igbos from the southeast of the country.
People of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities were on hand as well-known Nigerian professionals in Ireland, including Dr Linus Offiah, a consultant in emergency medicine, and lecturer Dr Onyeama Orji, delivered keynote speeches.
Dr Offiah's talk focused on whether the Biafran leader “was a product of destiny, geo-political circumstance or a conscious quest for fame.” Dr Orji, meanwhile, looked at the prospects of Chief Ojukwu’s death uniting Nigerians.
Prince Glen Adimoranma Eneh, leader of the Dublin branch of the Igbo Union Ireland, which organised the event, said Chief Ojukwu left a “legacy” for mankind.
Prince Eneh added that he was “a champion for those who were oppressed, suppressed, segregated, marginalised and annihilated.”
