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•Ohanaeze Ndigbo honours Gen. Philip Efiong’s family as they bury matriarch
From Magnus Eze, Enugu
In its bid to honour those who had played critical roles in the Igbo trajectory, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has once again identified with the family of Gen. Philip Efiong.
•Ohanaeze leaders with the Efiongs
President-general of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, recently dispatched a high-powered delegation to pay a condolence visit to the Efiongs over the demise of their matriarch, Mrs. Josephine Efiong. The delegation was at their Ikot Ekpene residence on June 1, 2024, where they paid traditional obeisance to the bereaved family.
•Ohanaeze delegation signs condolence register
Efiong’s family of Ibiono Ibom Local Government, Akwa Ibom State, is not only perceived, but also considered, as an Igbo family, given the roles played by their father, General Philip Asuquo Efiong, before, during and after the Nigeria-Biafra war.
The first Nigerian director of ordnance, Nigerian Army, Efiong, who died on November 6, 2003, forfeited his property, dignity, status in Nigeria, entitlement and benefits as a high-ranking Nigerian soldier just to be on the Biafran side. He worked under the Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as the second-in-command, the first Vice President of the Republic of Biafra from 1967-1970 and the second President of Biafra from January 8-12, 1970, before the surrender.
He was a detribalised man that believed in Biafra and what it stood, and stands, for. Before his death, despite all that he lost, he maintained and stated unequivocally in several interviews that he had no regrets being with the Biafrans and playing the roles he did.
Daily Sun gathered that all these and more made Ohanaeze’s condolence visit to the family very important and well deserving. President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Kayceey Chidiadi, who led the delegation, commiserated with the bereaved family. He recalled with nostalgia the good works of their late father whose influence and legacies propelled the visit.
The Ohanaeze leader opined that those would remain evergreen in the minds of the Igbo, both the living and those yet unborn. He charged the family to take solace in the fact that their beloved mother lived the devoted life of a Christian, while praying God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss and grant the deceased eternal rest.
The Ohanaeze team presented the traditional condolence drinks to the family before the president and his vice, Chief Ogbonna Ukachukwu, signed the condolence register. The second son, Obong Charles Phillip Efiong, led the general’s younger brother, the first daughter and other family members to warmly receive the august visitors.
They stated that the visit would remain indelible in their hearts, having warmed their hitherto dampened spirits. They added that they would never forget their relationship with Ndigbo.
Gen. Efiong was among men and women who in the course of history had selflessly contributed to the development and wellbeing of Igboland. For that, he was on Friday, September 29, 2023, conferred with Igbo Hero posthumous award during the 2023 Igbo Day celebrations at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.
