ADF officials making a presentation to some of the Biafra war veterans at Oji River, Enugu State, on Thursday, May 30, 2024
As the Igbo of Southeast Zone of Nigeria remembers the tragedy of the Nigeria/Biafra war 54 years after, the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), an Igbo elite pressure group with keen interest in the overall development of Igbo land on Thursday brightened hopes of living of some former soldiers who fought on the Biafran side during the Nigeria civil war, though currently abandoned at Oji River, Enugu State rehabilitation home of civil war veterans.
The ADF President, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, who was represented by Mr Osita Chukwuagbanarinam, said the gesture was part of the ADF’s efforts in caring for the needy in the society, as most of them sacrificed their times and life to have fought for the peace and unity of Nigeria.
“We have every reason to be here today to appreciate the fact that most of you paid the supreme price for our survival and the peace and unity of the country. But it pains us that you are in anguish after making those sacrifices for the nation. Therefore, we are here to appreciate you, to note your problems so we can reach out to both the government and other concerned citizens, especially of the Igbo race to come to your aid,” said Prof Nwala.
During the visit, ADF donated some bags of rice and an undisclosed amount of money to each of the surviving families still living at Oji River camp of the war veterans.
Expressing gratitude to the ADF, Mr Gideon Njoku, 78 years of age, who said that he hails from Umuonyeukwu village Ikeduru in Imo state, recalled that over 75 of them who fought on the side of Biafra during the wars, were relocated to Oji River War veterans camp from Government Technical College (GTC), Enugu premises since 1975 and gradually abandoned to survive on their own.
“At the Civil War’s end, we were quartered at GTC premises. We were treated to free meals and free medicare but those free meals and free medicare gradually seized after our relocation to Oji River war veterans home in 1975, ″ Njoku said pitifully.
According to the veteran, it is only seven of them out of over 70 Nigeria civil war veterans who were relocated to Oji River camp are still surviving. He said most of them have died out of frustration, helplessness and gross neglect both by the different arms of governments and related families.
An 81-year-old war veteran, Mr Sylvester Egbuna, who corroborated Mr Njoku’s statement said it is only by the grace of God that they are still surviving. He disclosed that they currently survive at the mercies of God-fearing philanthropists, who often breeze in to donate both in cash and materials for their survival.
The veterans pleaded for support from humane organizations and people in society in training and offering job opportunities to their children. It was, however, learnt that the World Igbo Congress, USA chapter some years ago, donated a Tissue paper manufacturing machine to the camp so they can utilize it to help themselves. But the elder, Gideon Njoku disclosed that the machine never worked up to the date it was brought to Enugu.
In addition to food items and cash donation, ADF came along with a qualified medical nurse, who conducted medical texts on the people, assuring them of free drugs courtesy of ADF thereafter.
The ADF women leader, Mrs Pauline Awuja, who was part of the entourage advised both the wives and children of the war veterans living at Oji River war veterans camp to continue to be of good behaviour, promising that ADF is soliciting for help to come their way from Igbos living in diaspora.
