From: David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
The Anambra State chapter of Biafran War Veterans has commended the Governor Willie Obiano for being fearless and his belief in the Biafra struggle by according those who died during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war a befitting burial.
They also exonerated him of any complicity in the killing of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state. They urged those still holding such erroneous views should jettison it.
The war veterans said this when the Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters to Governor Obiano, Hon. Arinzechukwu Awogu hosted them. Awogu is also the Governor’s Liaison Officer to the Biafran war veterans.
The veterans commended Governor Obiano for appointing a Liaison Officer for them and thanked the Governor for all his support and care over the years.
The war veterans, speaking through their Anambra State chapter’s President, Major Emmanuel Udemezue, lamented that combatants on the side of Biafra were not rehabilitated as their counterparts on the Nigerian side.
He called on the Igbo to continue to remember the sacrifices of those who died that they might live, adding that it was not a crime to say no to the senseless killings of Ndigbo in1966/67.
Responding, Awogu appreciated the war veterans for the sacrifices they made in the defense of Ndigbo and reminded them that they were not the aggressors in the conflict; that they were in their homes and war was brought to them and that they committed no crime by defending themselves and Ndigbo.
Said he, “For the fact that you are still together after 50 years of being in the trenches shows that a regiment of old is still intact and potent.” He assured them of Governor Obiano’s continuous care and implored them to continue to support the Governor that remembered the importance of burying their fallen compatriots when every other person took fright.
Awogu used the opportunity to say that if the current agitation existed to better the lots of Ndigbo, that Governor Obiano would not be in variance, but a willing partner in the business of making Anambra State and indeed Igboland the pride of all as he had been able to show traces in his three years in office.