Posted by By EMEKA ODOGWU, Awka on
THIRTY six years after the Nigerian civil war ended, President Olusegun Obasanjo weekend, visited Amichi, the historic town which hosted the final ceasefire, saying Biafran troops were pursued there to avoid a massacre of Ndigbo.
THIRTY six years after the Nigerian civil war ended, President Olusegun Obasanjo weekend, visited Amichi, the historic town which hosted the final ceasefire, saying Biafran troops were pursued there to avoid a massacre of Ndigbo.
President Obasanjo who was speaking at the 70th Birthday celebration of Chief Simon Nsobundu Okeke, Chairman, Police Service Commission said: "The Biafran war technically ended in Amichi on 13th January 1970 when they had to pursue troops to avert a real massacre in Igboland as well as meet with Gen. Phillip Effiong, the Acting Commander and others before moving to Lagos on the 14th of January to meet with Gowon".
He noted: "there are many things and lessons to learn, as one of the things I noticed in this country is that things we need to do well were swept under the carpet to run ourselves down," "one of the four reasons I have come to Anambra today is to rejoice with those who rejoice as Chief Okeke turns 70, a visit of commendation and merriment at the same time my visit is to encourage him for a journey in the police and encourage Chief Okeke to do more of what he did in the police in the last three years''.
Former Secretary General of the commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku in his welcome remarks, challenged Nigerians to stop swearing affidavits on age declaration. He said he welcomed Chief Okeke to the club of septuagenarians even as he lauded him for bringing honour to the town of Amichi, Nnewi South and Anambra State, pointing out that, President Obasanjo was a key and principal actor in the reconciliation of Biafra and Nigeria in 1970.
Earlier, Chief Simon Nsobundu Okeke (Ochendo) and family attended a thanksgiving service at Saint Andrews Anglican Church, Amichi as officiated by Dean, Church of Nigeria and Archbishop of province on the Niger, His Grace most Revd M.S.C. Anikwenwa , His Grace Most Rev. Dr J. A. Onyemelukwe, Archbishop Emeritus of province II, Right Reverend Godwin I.N. Okpala (JP) Bishop of Nnewi diocese and Venerable S.O.C. Onuigbo, Archdeacon of Amichi Archdeaconry among other clergy.
Those who attended the celebation Archbishop Anikwenwa noted that life begins at 70 as against 40. According to him at 70, one's wealth of experience and knowledge are mostly needed for social mobilization and communal development as well as private sector development. He thanked him for helping in enthroning discipline in the Nigerian police.
In attendance included the Chairman of Champion Newspapers Limited, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former president of Nigeria Chief Dr Alex Ekwueme, Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State, Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra state, Inspector General of Police Mr. Sunday Ehindero, Director General NAFDAC, Prof Dora Akunyili, Minister for Solid mineral Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, Deputy Governor Edo state Mr. Mike Oghadome, Deputy Governor Anambra Chief Ugochukwu Nwankwo, PDP women leader Chief Mrs. Josephine Anineh among other Member Representing Oyi/ Ayamelum Hon Celestine Ughanze, member representing Nnewi South/North, Hon Cyril Maduabum, Senator Ugochukwu Uba representing Anambra South, Senator Ben Ndi-Obi representing Anambra central, former minister for Aviation, Mrs Kema Chikwe, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa of Awka Anglican Diocese, Bishop Okpala of Nnewi Diocese, captains of industry, top government officials, Traditional rulers including Obi Alfred Achebe of Onitsha among others.