Ojukwu: Bianca thanks Jonathan, MASSOB, others

 Ends 12-day-mourning
Widow of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Bianca, has thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Nigerians for according her husband a befitting burial, even as she ended her 12 days of traditional mourning.
 Bianca, who spoke in front of Ojukwu’s mausoleum, when the leader of the MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, paid her a surprise visit yesterday, said she owed a debt of gratitude to everyone, who supported the family in its period of grief.

 She said: “I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife for the support they have shown this family, especially for coming to Nnewi. I would like to thank every Igbo man and all Nigerians for the outpouring of support and emotion that came with the demise of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.”
 “I would also like to salute the leader and members of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra. I salute you for your dedication, encouragement and all the sacrifices you have made to ensure that this burial remains unrivaled in the history of Africa.

 “I must commend Uwazurike because this movement was ready by the 15th of January to take up everything, concerning the funeral ceremonies of our departed leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, General of the People’s Army. We had a lot of sessions where I assured Uwazurike that the Federal Government had pledged all necessary assistance to ensure this funeral would go very well.

 “He arranged helicopter services for our transportation from state to state. I thank him for all the efforts he made, especially for accepting a background but efficient role in these activities. We had representations from MASSOB members from 250 cities across the world where ceremonies, masses were held in Ojukwu’s honour. He has been a true son to Eze Igbo and had been with us all along, even sleeping with us in the hospital,” Bianca said.
 She prayed for God’s blessing on all Nigerians, especially those who ensured that the ceremony had no hitches.
 Meanwhile, Uwazurike, who was visiting the late Igbo leader’s country home for the first time since the commencement of the burial ceremonies, warned the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, to stop killing Igbos in the North, especially during Ojukwu’s mourning period.
 The MASSOB leader also called on the sect to cease their bombings in which South-easterners have suffered many casualties and desist from their acts throughout the period of the Igbo leader’s mourning as a sign of respect to his memory.

 According to him: “We are still in a state of mourning and we will give Ojukwu a reasonable amount of time as we mourn him. He is our greatest leader and 10 years is not even enough to mourn him. Ndigbo should always remember him in their prayers and they should eschew all acts of violence. I know that today, Ndigbo are killed in the North mercilessly but I should equally ask those, who are killing Ndigbo to respect our leader in this state of mourning.
 “Even in the war-front, there is truce during celebrations. So, these people, killing our people in the North, should know that we are passing through difficulties connected with the death of our leader. We are capable of taking our position at the right time. What they are doing today, is what we did 40 years ago so, we are not shivering. They should respect our leader.”

 Uwazurike, who said the Eze Igbo Gburugburu’s burial was the best in the world so far, added that Ojukwu meant everything to MASSOB and prayed that his death would act as a springboard for the unity of Ndigbo.
 The MASSOB leader, who was accompanied by his deputy, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, and a one-time Speaker of the old Anambra State House of Assembly, Chief Ifeanyi Enemchukwu, among others, predicted that soon, Ojukwu’s compound would become a Mecca of sorts, as he declared the place a meeting place for all Igbo unions throughout the country.

 Uwazurike laid a wreath inside the mausoleum built for the repose of the Ikemba Nnewi while Chief Enemchukwu said a short prayer at the entrance of the crypt.