By Okey Maduforo (Awka)
As tributes continue to pour in for Col. Joe Achuzia, who died recently, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Jnr.), son of the former Head of State of the defunct Republic of
Biafra, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has described the fallen hero as a gallant soldier and a great Nigerian.
Ojukwu who spoke via a press statement to reporters in Awka noted that Achuzia
was a dependable officer during the Nigerian Civil War and also worked
closely with his father during the battle for the emancipation of Ndigbo.
According to Ojukwu, “It is with a heavy heart that I write to mark
the passing of an Iroko. A champion of the Igbo and a great
Nigerian”.
“As a civilian, before the war, he was based in Port Harcourt from
where he ran a large Engineering firm which specialized in making
explosives and training on its handling.
“He was the President General of the Ika Igbos at that time.
“He was nominated to represent the Ika Igbos at the Eastern Region
Constituent Assembly which preceded the declaration of the Republic of
Biafra.
“He was never in the Nigerian Military however he fought in the Korean
wars from where he gained his Military and Guerrilla experience.
“He was tasked with putting together a Biafran Militia.
“Based on performance, the militia were drafted into the Biafran Army
and he became a Commissioned Biafran Officer.
“His zeal, his passion and his unconventional approach distinguished
him in the battle field, though he was criticized precisely by some as
being over-zealous.
“During the war he was favoured by my father because of his uncanny
capacity to produce results.
“He had a direct reporting line to him and he was involved on several
fronts. The two remained quite close to the twilight of their years.”
Ojukwu also explained that the process of negotiating peace between
the Biafran and Nigerian side was commenced by Achuzia before Maj. Gen
Philip Effiong came to meet the Nigerian side.
“He was the first Biafran senior officer to make contact with the
Nigerian side and led them on to Maj. Gen. Phillip Effiong.
“That contact followed a visit to him by the Biafran Director of
Propaganda, Uche Chukwumerije.
“He was part of the final discussions that led to Phillip Effiong’s
declaration of the end of the war at which point he was interrogated
and sent to detention.
“He didn’t think he would come out alive and based on these
experiences, he later published his war memoirs – Requiem Biafra.
“He was involved with Ohanaeze – he was at some point, the Secretary General
while Joe Irukwu was the President General.
“He was involved in the Oputa Panel.
“He remained very vocal about Igbo Marginalization and supported the
agitations for a new Biafra.
“While not calling out for secession, he believed strongly in self
determination.
“Col J.O.G. Achuzia’s life was a life re-defined by the Biafran war as
was the case with that entire generation and by extension the Igbo
race.
“For one side he was a villain and for the other side he was, and will
always remain, a War Hero.
“As a citizen of Nigeria, he was a man who chose not to sit on the
sidelines as a spectator to history.
“Rather, he took his destiny in both hands and left an indelible mark
in the history of our nation.
“As this remarkable life comes to a close, in the name of the Dim
Odumegwu-Ojukwu family, I join all well meaning Igbos and Nigerians in
honouring a life well lived”.