Founder of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has explained that he found in the late Igbo Leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as the rallying force for Igbo unity.
He gave that as a reason he has continued to celebrate the late warrior’s birthday since 1994 and has been organising lectures in his memory every year since his death in 2011.
Uwazuruike who has the title of Ijele Ndigbo said that Ndigbo would never move forward in Nigeria without unity and the only name that would foster such unity is Odumegwu Ojukwu.
The MASSOB Founder who spoke against the backdrop of this year’s Ojukwu Memorial lecture, taking place on November 26 said: “In 2012, I started celebrating his memorial as a reminder to Ndigbo that the quest for igbo unity begins and ends with Odumegwu Ojukwu. I see Ojukwu as the Mahatma Gandhi of India and I believe that if Ndigbo respect and honour Ojukwu as Indians do to Gandhi, the unity of Ndigbo would be guaranteed.”
He disclosed that Ojukwu had been his hero since childhood.
“I used to hear and read about Odumegwu Ojukwu as a child. But around 1992, thereabout, I was privileged to see Ojukwu during a meeting of non indigenes in Lagos where I led the group representing the Igbo community in lagos state.
“Due to my contribution in the meeting he personally invited me to his house in Vilasca Lodge ikoyi. From that private meeting with him he developed some likeness and I found in him a man of unquestionable character and someone that had genuine interest for the wellbeing of Ndigbo.
“I subsequently began to work under him for the interest of our people. I started celebrating his birthday since 1994 until his demise in 2011.
“My group and I have been hosting Ojukwu memorial day since 2012 unbroken. The 2024 edition is the 13th. And I believe that as long as I live the celebration must continue, “he added.
Uwazuruike said that In this year’s lecture, which is the 13th in the series with the theme “Solidifying Igbo Unity” that all the cultural activities known in Igboland world be displayed.
“Prominent Ndigbo use the event to express themselves on the happenings not only in Igboland but also in Nigeria, “he noted.
According to him, prominent personalities including foreigners had always graced the events and were expected in this year’s event.
He disclosed that this year’s Ojukwu Memorial Day would begin on November 25 evening with a gala night and the main event to hold on 26.
