By Christopher Isiguzo , Onwuka Nzeshi and Emmanuel Ugwu
Thousands of South-easterners Tuesday thronged the streets of Ebonyi, Enugu and Abia States to pay their last respect to their late leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Also, the South-east Parlia-mentary Caucus in the National Assembly has declared a one-week legislative holiday in honour of the man that was popularly called Ikemba Nnewi.
Thousands of people gathered in south-eastern Nigerian for the funeral of former Biafran secessionist leader Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, who received full military honours following his official pardon.
In the days preceding the funeral, workers finished off the mausoleum which will be his final resting place.
Workers ensured that Col Ojukwu’s tomb would be ready for use in time for the funeral.
As preparations gathered apace for the funeral, a soldier guarded a statue of Col Ojukwu.
Many mourners sought to mark the memory of Col Ojukwu, whose 1967
declaration of independence for Biafra sparked a civil war in which more
than a million people died.
These mourners waved the Biafran flag to celebrate the life of Col
Ojukwu, who went into exile after his forces surrendered in 1970,
returning more than a decade later after he was pardoned.
Col Ojukwu, who died in the UK last year aged 78 after a long illness following a stroke, is survived by his wife Bianca Ojukwu (centre).
