Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday in London expressed sadness at the death of his ``friend and colleague’’, Ikemba of Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Obasanjo in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said: ``it is with deep sadness that I received the news of the demise of my friend and colleague.
``He and I were subalterns in the army at Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
``In a way, his death marks the end of an era in Nigeria.
``I condole with his family and pray for the repose of his soul.’’
Also reacting to the demise of Ojukwu, former military Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, described the leader of the defunct Biafra as a die-hard Nigerian who strongly believed in the nation’s potentials.
Gowon told NAN that Ojukwu ``loved Nigeria so much; he merely wanted to opt out over perceived injustice to his people.
``But we said no because we felt we can resolve our differences as one family,” Gowon said in Jos on Saturday.
He said that Ojukwu’s return to Nigeria after 13 years in exile and his bid to lead the nation by contesting the presidency several times was a testimony to his wish for a better and stronger Nigeria.
The former military leader lauded Ojukwu’s fighting spirit and ability to go all out to pursue his conviction but rejected suggestions that Ojukwu was an enemy.
He said that his death would naturally invoke memories of the civil war but he was simply a colleague and later an opponent.
``We merely disagreed over the fate of Nigeria. Also, we did not go to war as such, we merely had to use some force to enforce what majority of Nigerian wanted,” Gowon said.
Gowon expressed happiness that Nigerians were able to reconcile their differences after the war, saying that the international community praised that ability to live together after the hostility.
``What we said before the war was that the Igbos needed Nigeria just as Nigeria needed the Igbos. I’m happy that we are all together up till today.”
Gowon said that he admired Ojukwu’s love for his people and his resolve to fight for them, adding that he was happy the war had eventually shown the need for Nigeria to be one.
He advised Nigerians to work towards reconciling their differences for a united Nigeria and challenged all to defend the sovereignty and integrity of the Nigerian nation.
The 30-month civil war between Nigeria and the defunct Republic of Biafra was lead by Gowon on the side of Nigeria, while Ojukwu led the secessionist bid of the then Easter Nigeria which he had declared a sovereign state of Biafra. The war of unity ended on Jan. 15, 1970.
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