Narrating the story for the first time, Mrs Ojukwu said her husband’s health began to deteriorate at 1.30am on November 26, 2011 and gave up the ghost at 2.45am.
“I was with Eze Igbo Gburugburu in the hospital on the 26th of November when his health became bad. I picked my phone and called Chief (Ralph) Uwazuruike and told him that Ikemba’s condition is not good. We were all awake till 2.45 am when he finally gave up the ghost,” she said.
Bianca, whose voice trembled as she spoke to a crowd comprising members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other prominent Igbo sons and daughters, also said her late husband handed over the leadership of Ndigbo to Uwazuruike before he died.
“I was still in London and told Uwazuruike that it is your time to carry the burden of Ndigbo on your shoulders because Eze Igbo Gburugburu is no more. As we lay the foundation stone in memory of my dear husband, it will re-awaken the consciousness Ojukwu represented,” she added. People wept uncontrollably as she called for a minute silence for her late husband and for the souls of those killed during the Biafran war as well as MASSOB members killed by Nigerian security agencies.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who also spoke during the foundation laying ceremony for the Ojukwu Memorial Centre in Owerri, prayed for the repose of the civil war victims. Chief Iwuanyanwu said that the Ojukwu centre would promote Igbo culture and unity, adding that the late Ikemba Nnewi represented the force of change and freedom.
Responding Uwazuruike, who is the facilitator, thanked Ndigbo for their support and urged them to remain united and peaceful. He said Ojukwu’s death would unite Ndigbo.
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