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Odumegwu-Ojukwu backs national dialogue
From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu
FORMER Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu yesterday hinted of a pregnant polity that would give birth to a better Nigeria.
Speaking for the first time since he returned from the United States, where he had gone for medical treatment, the Ikemba Nnewi gave his backing to the proposed national dialogue, expressing the hope that its outcome would ensure the betterment of the country.
The occasion was the launch of a book: "The Nigerian-Biafran Bureaucrat", written by Prof. Godwin Onyegbula in Enugu.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who spoke against a statement credited a long time ago to Nobel Laurate, Prof. Wole Soyinka that his was a "wasted generation", said for the first time in his life, he had to disagree with Soyinka, stressing that "the present generation is not a wasted generation but that which would restructure the country"
His words: "Nigeria is pregnant. The whole country is still anxiously awaiting the delivery. I will take this opportunity to tell you that when all is said and done, we are in the process of giving birth to a new Nigeria and this is the generation that will give its birth.
"We are the ones finally who have loved and hated Nigeria. We are not ashamed and we will move forward as our hearts and minds dictated. We have done what we felt had to be done necessarily. We didn't do anything for any ulterior motive. No. We put in the best service for our people and the happiest thing in my life is that I have lived to the vindication of all we did. We did what we did for a happier and a better Nigeria and that is still where we are. We will continue, we are committed and we will do it to the end."
He stated that the proposed national dialogue was a product of that struggle for a better Nigeria, adding that though Nigerians were wondering about its outcome, "there was need to thank God that we have reached where we agreed that there is going to be a national dialogue."
He assured that the struggle would continue and prayed that God should give the organisers of the dialogue the wisdom to choose the right people who would preserve the rights of Nigerians.
"I believe the dialogue will make suggestions for the restructuring of Nigeria. It is not to restructure any other place but Nigeria. So, no matter whatever is said at that conference, the aim will remain to make Nigeria a better place for all of us," he said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who praised the author of the book, who was a Biafran and later Nigerian diplomat, said he had no regrets over his role in the civil war and how he prosecuted it, saying, "If I had my chance again I will repeat everything the same way, and if I have the chance again I will choose the same team because each carried out its own term heroically."
In his speech, Onyegbula, who reviewed the circumstances that led to the declaration of Biafra, observed that the Igbo were great believers in Nigeria until they were made to seek their destiny and security elsewhere, stressing that those who tried to bring them back to the Nigerian family were not committed Nigerians.
"The shock of the Igbo exit and its expected consequences for all, forced them to become Nigerian enthusiasts. Neither side could, therefore, truly claim innocence or higher patriotism, though the Igbo became the sacrificial lamb. I have been opportuned to read other accounts of this tragic events and have developed a better understanding of their motivations and actions: this is good for the polity, and is the more reason why all sides of the case should be heard and discussed intelligently, so we can learn," he said.
Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State, who also praised the author for the good work, launched the book with N1 million.
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