Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has paid tribute to the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on his posthumous birthday anniversary, describing him as “a man who embodied courage, intellect, dignity, and conviction.”
In a heartfelt message posted on Tuesday, November 4, Obi said Ojukwu’s life and ideals remain a timeless lesson in principled leadership.
“Ojukwu was more than a figure in our history; he embodied courage, intellect, dignity and firm conviction,” he wrote. “His life reminds us that leadership is not merely a position — it is a calling, a burden, and, at times, a test of one’s deepest values.”
Obi’s tribute came as Nigerians at home and abroad marked the 91st posthumous birthday of the late military officer and statesman, whose leadership during the Nigerian Civil War continues to stir reflection and debate on unity, justice, and self-determination.
A Legacy That Refuses to Fade
Born on November 4, 1933, in Zungeru, Niger State, Ojukwu was the son of Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, one of Nigeria’s first notable businessmen.
A graduate of Oxford University, he joined the Nigerian Army in the 1950s and rose through the ranks to become military governor of the Eastern Region in 1966.
His decision to lead the secessionist Republic of Biafra in 1967 would define his place in Nigerian history.
Though controversial, Ojukwu’s defiance is still interpreted by many as a moral protest against injustice and structural imbalance in post-independence Nigeria.
His admirers say his struggle for equity and dignity continues to resonate amid the nation’s ongoing political and economic challenges.
Obi echoed that sentiment in his message, urging Nigerians to draw inspiration from Ojukwu’s convictions. “As we reflect on his legacy, may we be inspired to build a society grounded in truth, equity, and humanity — ideals he held dear and defended resolutely,” he said.
Ojukwu, who passed away on November 26, 2011, in London, remains one of Nigeria’s most studied historical figures. His name, ideas, and sacrifices continue to shape the Igbo political consciousness and the national conversation on fairness and justice.
“May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace, and may his legacy remain a guiding light for all who believe in justice, honour, and the power of a principled life,” Obi concluded.
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