From Chris Mocha
Ojukwu Picked Ralph Uwazuruike As Successor Before His Death –MASSOB
From his official Enugu residence on Monday, October 29, 2007, at İsiuzo Street, Independence Layout, where the MASSOB leader was received by a mammoth crowd following his partial release from Kuje Prison.
İkemba Nnewi who was visibly happy to receive Okenwa (Uwazuruike ) in a very good health condition hugged Uwazuruike about 25 times.
Back to his Country home, Umunamu, Owerre-Okwe in Onuimo LGA of İmo State on January 19, 2008, at the burial ceremony of his late Mother Ezinne Monica Uwazuruike.
Like every other guests from across Nigeria including Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Senator Ben Obi, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Dr. Akerele , Chief Gani Fawehim (SAN), Mr. Festus Keyamo, Dr. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, Barr. Ziggy Azike, Dr. Joe Oke -Odumaikin, Royal fathers and members of the National and State Assemblies.
Chief Nnia Nwodo, the İmo State Governor — Chief Ikedi Ohakim who was ably represented by his Special Assistant on Security, Sir George Egu,
Prof. Wole Soyinka, Sir Victor Umeh, Dr. Orji Uzor- Kalu; Dr. Dozie Ikedife — President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Other guests included; Dr. Beko Ransom- Kuti; Pa Anthony Enahoro, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, Gani Adams, Senator Obiora Okonkwo, İyom Bianca Ojukwu, Omekadiya Ngozi Uwazuruike, all the members of Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and many others too numerous to mention were physically present on January 19, 2008, during the funeral of late Mrs Ezinne Monica Uwazuruike.
Dim Chukwuemeka -Odumegwu Ojukwu did not disappoint the crowd that had gathered to see him and listen to the great Igbo leader.
“Uwazuruike is my only begotten son”
— Ojukwu
Ojukwu– insisted that Uwazuruike was being incarcerated because he had toed the path of justice to battle against Injustice in all forms.
He revealed that he was worried shortly after Uwazuruike’s arrest due to unconfirmed reports emanating from prison .
Ojukwu said,’ Uwazuruike is my begotten son with whom I am well pleased because all the messages I kept getting from him while he was in the prison custody was not to tell me that he was hungry or tired and required support, but rather he kept telling me that he was healthy and that he stood by the struggle”.
He further explained that the reassurance that Uwazuruike had not shifted ground or deny Biafra gladdened his heart and gave him hope that tomorrow would be better.
He opined that Uwazuruike’s continued refusal to accept the status quo like others — of the Niger Delta and South West has further aggravated hatred for him which is responsible for the foot,- dragging concerning his release.
The great Igbo leader cautioned the MASSOB leader not to give up in the face of this mounting pressure, adding that he should always remember that it is the people, that is the masses, who are solidly behind him and would continue to do so.
In his words, ‘ Go anywhere and do not be afraid. I am fear and fear does not fear. Do not be afraid. Go anywhere with confidence.
Don’t be afraid to champion the cause you believe in because fear does not entertain another fear. If you have dreaded people behind you , which other dreaded people are you going to be afraid of ?
We are solidly behind you and wherever you go we are going to be with you. As you can see, it is because of you , because your mother is our mother that is why we have all gathered here today. This will tell you something about life’.
Ojukwu further warned, ” They can not tell us not to talk or tell us when to talk.
We can talk anywhere we went and at anytime that we find something that is paining us , we are going to talk.
We are not going to keep quiet.
I promise that I will never give up nor betray the cause of the Igbo and I believe that if we stay together we muster a lot of strength to contain the forces of darkness”.
