Contest #2 : Tell us about "A Freedom Fighter of Your Country." || 15 steem prize pool

in hive-138339 •  3 years ago  (edited)

Chukwuemeka "Emeka" Odumegwu-Ojukwu was born on 4 November 1933 and died on 26 November 2011. He hailed from Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria. He was a Nigerian military officer, statesman and politician who served as the military governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria in 1966 and the leader of the breakaway Republic of Biafra from 1967 to 1970 He was active as a politician from 1983 to 2011, when he died aged 78.
Ojokwu was a hero to the people of Biafra, he was selfless and he put his life on the line to ensure the safety of the Igbo people. After the 1966 coup that saw Aguiyi Ironsi into power which Ojukwu helped cool off in the North, a counter coup was staged and General Aguiyi Ironsi killed which brought lt.Colonel Gowon into power which Ojukwu opposed, Gowon was a lower rank officer and inexperienced. Eventually a progrom broke out in the North where hundreds of Igbos living in the Northern Part of Nigeria was slaughtered while the administration of Gowon did nothing. Ojukwu who was an Igbo man declared the secession of the South Eastern States of Nigeria and called it Biafra to be a safe haven for the Igbo race. He urged the Igbos to flee for their own safety as the killings was targeted directly at them. The baby nation that only lasted for three years was attacked on the 6th of July 1967. The war lasted fir three years and Biafra was defeated. Ojukwu went into exile for fear of assassination but later returned.
He was a great leader in the fight to protect the Igbos, he loved his country Nigeria as he helped put an end to the first coup but had to fight when his people were slaughtered. He had sought negotiation and dialogue prior to the civil war which was rejected by Lt Colonel Gowon who failed to protect his own citizens this the declaration of Biafra.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/odumegwu-ojukwu-78-rebel-leader-who-broke-republic-of-biafra-away-from-nigeria/2011/11/28/gIQAdVcHAO_story.html
ob-oju001.jpg
@boss75
@alphafx

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!