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It was the wish of Ojukwu, who died in a London hospital on November 26, 2011, that his corpse should be brought to Aba.
To ensure that people turned out in their numbers and give him the honour, the state government declared today public holiday even as various groups and organisations were seen yesterday putting finishing touches to arrangements in readiness for the arrival of the body.
At every corner of the city, people gathered in their groups to discuss the arrival of the body of the Igbo leader to the city where he started life as a civilian when he served as the District Officer (DO).
Speaking on their level of preparation for today’s event, the President of Nnewi Community Association, Aba, Chief Chukwuemeka Lawrence Nwanya, said the association, in collaboration with Ohaneze Ndigbo, had made adequate arrangements to receive the body of the Ikemba to the city.
He said his members all over Aba were directed to close their shops and troop to the Enyimba Stadium where the late Igbo leader would lie in state, to accord him their late respect.
“You know that Nnewi people are predominantly traders. So, all of them have been told to close shops today and come out en masse to pay their last respect to Ojukwu, who, by all standards, remained our greatest son.”
Remembering with nostalgia how Ojukwu used to visit his people at the Nnewi hall in Aba whenever he (Ojukwu) was in town, Nwanya pleaded with the national burial committee to allow for a stop-over of the corpse at the said hall which he said was now wearing a new look.
Traders have also been mobilized for today’s lying in state of the Biafran leader who would be received at 9:00 am at Owerrinta, the boundary community between Imo and Abia states.
According to the president of Abia State Market Traders Association (ASMATA), Amobi Ike, “we’ve taken the opportunity provided by the public holidays and closure of markets in the state to mobilize traders to come out and pay their last respect for the fallen hero.”
When Daily Sun visited the Enyimba stadium where the body will lie in state, the road leading to it was being swept while the venue was adorned with the national flag and Ojukwu’s portraits.
To restate its preparedness to provide security for today’s event, the police yesterday patrolled the major streets of the city.
Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) had earlier announced the closure of markets and schools in Aba.
Meanwhile, last night the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in conjunction with Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Abia State chapter, staged an all night musical concert and hero candlelight vigil tagged: “Ojukwu lives”.
Artists who performed at the concert which was held at the Creation Club, Aba included Nigger Raw, Duncan Mighty, Onyinye Osadebe Jrn., Bright Chimezie and Chinyere Udoma. Others are Chinedu Ikedieze, Nkiru Silvernus, Flavour, KICC choir, CPM choir – Ojike Lane and a group – organization for the promotion of Igbo unity, language and culture.
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