Leaders of major ethnic groups across the country, including former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha; Abacha’s son, Mohammed and Alhaji Mujaheed Asari Dokubo, leader of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), are among dignitaries expected to converge in Owerri, the Imo state capital on November 26, for the celebration of the 5th annual memorial service of the late Biafra warlord, Chukwumeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Others include Fredrick Fasehun of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC); National President of Arewa Northern Youths Consultative Forum (ANYCF), Ambassador Yerima Shettima; widow of the late Biafra icon, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Eze Nri Ancient Kingdom, HRM Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh; Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev. Solomon Amatu and former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife.
Leader of Biafra Independence Movement and founder of Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, (BIM-MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike who confirmed the expected arrival of these dignitaries on November 26, said he had concluded arrangements to host them because they are friends of late Dim Ojukwu, his own mentor.
Uwazuruike in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday in Onitsha, Anambra state, signed on his behalf, by Mazi Chris Mocha, Biafra Director of Information, recalled that BIM/MASSOB had single-handedly organized Ojukwu’s memorial service on an annual basis since 2013, to give respect to the great Igbo leader and the Ikemba Nnewi. The statement further quoted Uwazuruike as saying that the event would feature masquerade and cultural dance groups from Igbo land, as well as Military parade by Biafra war veteran soldiers.