From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), an Igbo pressure group with an interest in the development of the Igbo nation, yesterday brightened the hopes of some ex-soldiers who fought on the side of Biafra during the Nigerian civil wars, but currently abandoned at Oji River-rehabilitation home of civil war veterans in Enugu state.
The ADF President, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, who was represented by Mr Osita Chukwuagbanarinam, said the gesture was part of the organization’s efforts to care for the needy in society, as most of them sacrificed their times and lives to fight for the peace and unity of Nigeia.
The ADF President stated, “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 concsrned citizens especially of the Igbo race to come to your aid”.
During the visit, the ADF donated some bags of rice and an undisclosed amount of money to each of the surviving families still living at the Ojii River camp of the war veterans.
Appreciating the ADF, Mr. Gideon Njoku, 78 years old, who said that he hails from Umuonyeukwu village, Ikeduru, in Imo State, announced that over 75 of them who fought on the side of Biafra during the war, were relocated to the Oji River War veterans camp from the Government Technical College (GTC) Enugu premises since 1975 and gradually abandoned to survive on their own.
He said, “At the end of the Civil War, we were quartered at GTC premises. We were treated to free meals and free medicare, but those free meals and free medicare gradually ceased after our relocation to Oji River war veterans home in 1975. “
According to him, only seven of them out of over 70 Nigerian war veterans who were relocated to the Oji River camp are still surviving.
He said most of them have died out of frustration, helplessness and abandonment, both in the arms of government 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 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.
The AUTHORITY reporter was told the World Igbo Congress, USA chapter, some years ago donated a tissue paper manufacturing machine to the camp so they can utilise it to help thenselves, but Njoku disclosed that the machine never worked up to the date it was brought to Enugu.
In addition to food items and cash donations, the ADF came along with a qualified medical nurse, who conducted medical tests on the people, assuring them of free drugs courtesy of the Foundation.
The ADF women leader, Mrs. Pauline Awuja, who was part of the entourage, advised both the wives and children of the war veterans to continue to be of good behaviour, promising that the ADF is soliciting help to come their way from Igbos living in diaspora.
