Dikedioranma, Ikemba Nnewi, Agunechemba, Ochiagha Ndigbo, Dikejiejemba, Ezeigbo Gburugburu, the Peoples General, Advocate of the Masses, the appellation is unending. You came, you saw, you conquered.
You were an inspirator, a motivator and an idol to most of us who are indeed “Igbo bu Igbo” as you would rightly address your people.
I risked my newly found job in Lagos in 1982 just to have a glimpse of the man “dem acall Ojukwu Biafra” and after listening to you speak and risking the wrath of the security agents to touch you, I was fulfilled.
We came in contact again in 2008 when I was in the delegation to Enugu to negotiate your coming to Rivers State for the historic installation of the present Eze Onunekwuru Igbo III, HRH Eze Adiele Maduagwu.
On what appeared to be your last outing, I traveled to Umuahia, Abia State, shortly before the general election, last year only to hear you address your people once again in those deep Nnewi ascent irrespective of the mixed audience.
We shall keep the flag flying. And so on behalf of my family, I say Adieu, the Peoples General!
Signed
Comrade Joe Kalu
Member, LOC Publicity Sub-C’ttee
and former Sec. Gen. Igbo Community
Rivers State.
