In a compelling speech, Her Excellency, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, distinguished widow of the revered Igbo leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, summoned the world’s attention to the flagrant disregard for justice and humanity that has engulfed Nigeria. Standing resolute before the Annual National Conference and Convention of the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) in Dallas, Texas, her words echoed with an urgency that could not be ignored.
Ambassador Ojukwu raised her voice against the sinister web of illegality that has ensnared Nnamdi Kanu, the valiant leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In an act that flies in the face of democracy and respect for the rule of law, the Nigerian government has continued to detain Kanu, despite an unequivocal order from a competent court to set him free.
In her impassioned address, Ambassador Ojukwu highlighted the grim reality that has befallen the Igbo people and their enterprises, trapped in a vortex of uncertainty and danger across every corner of Nigeria. The resonating plea she made was not just for Kanu’s release, but for the liberation of an entire people from the suffocating grip of injustice.
AVID, a congregation of American citizens with proud Igbo heritage, including military officers and veterans who have defended freedom, unity, and justice on foreign soil, listened intently to Ambassador Ojukwu’s clarion call. As she painted a vivid picture of the dire situation, the urgency of the matter was palpable – this was a battle that transcended borders and demanded swift global attention.
In a solemn tone, Ambassador Ojukwu laid bare the stark truth that must be confronted: the leaders of Igboland must rise from their slumber, shed their silence, and confront the glaring injustice that has festered for far too long. It is their responsibility to steer their homeland away from the precipice and towards a path of healing and rejuvenation.
The negligence of Igbo leadership, as Ambassador Ojukwu aptly pointed out, paved the way for the emergence of figures like Nnamdi Kanu – individuals who dared to speak out against oppression and marginalization. It is a dark reality that demands immediate correction, a return to the values of equality, justice, and respect for human rights.
The plea extended to the governors of the South-East, urging them to amplify their efforts to secure Kanu’s release. The veil of silence that once shrouded their actions must be lifted, and they must collectively and unequivocally stand against this flagrant miscarriage of justice.
Ambassador Ojukwu’s address did not shy away from acknowledging the grim consequences of complacency. The vacuum created by inaction has allowed nefarious elements to twist the narrative, morphing into opportunistic criminals who sow chaos and destruction under the guise of freedom. The situation has escalated beyond comprehension, with these elements now perpetuating heinous crimes across the Southeastern region.
Dr. Sylvester Onyia, President of AVID, echoed the sentiment of concern shared by the organization and millions of Nigerians alike. The government’s refusal to heed the court’s order, continuing to imprison Kanu, has cast a shadow over the nation’s commitment to justice and human rights. The anguish of the Igbo people reverberates as their security and prosperity hang in the balance.
As we bear witness to this gripping narrative of injustice and defiance, it is clear that Nigeria’s government is walking a perilous path, ignoring the echoes of history that warn against oppression and mistreatment of its own citizens. Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu’s impassioned plea stands as a testament to the urgency of the moment, a call to action that resonates not only in the hearts of the Igbo people but across the globe. The illegal incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu is a dangerous game that imperils not just one man’s freedom, but the very fabric of justice and democracy that should bind a nation together.
