eanjoku@yahoo.com

Saturday, February 28, 2004

I  must say right away that although the physical body of General Philip Effiong, the former Acting Head of State of Biafra, is dead and being buried, General Effiong lives on and will never die. In our African culture, a person is not dead if he has wonderful children and also leaves a legacy that will be remembered forever. General Effiong is one of those rare human beings (like Mandela) in Africa whose "spirit" will endure forever.

I had the privilege of meeting General Effiong during the Nigeria- Biafra War, when I was in the Biafra Air Force and I challenged him as to why Biafrans were fighting. He gently told me that we were fighting to defend our people against an unjust military attack by Nigeria. He also told me that we had no choice than to defend our people and that I should be proud to lay down my life for our people. To him defending the oppressed and fighting against injustice was a godly duty. I immediately knew that General Effiong was a very principled and loving man. He could not stand injustice and would die defending the oppressed/terrorized. That encounter with General Effiong made me to be more determined to keep on sacrificing and die if need be to defend our people. I saw a very humble man and an outstanding leader who inspired me ( a very hungry and tired soldier) to fight against injustice, death and destruction of our people.

General Effiong was the acting Biafra Head of State when the war ended in January 1970. Subsequently, General Effiong, like Mandela, paid a heavy material price standing up for his principles and defending the oppressed when others were busy bastardizing themselves for power, money and status in Nigeria. He was denied military pension and other material things just to "teach him a lesson," but he never sold out. He told the Oputa Panel in 2001 that the same conditions that led to the war still exist. In a country where people are unprincipled and hate the truth, General Effiong was a rare gem.

I always contrast General Effiong with Igbo efulefu (errand boys, traitors, economic/political prostitutes, fools and cowards) who would sell their mothers for money, power and status. Honor, principles, integrity, sacrifice and standing up for justice and fairness are far greater than amassing filthy wealth and power in an unjust country where 90 % of the people are living under grinding poverty and injustice. That is the the legacy of General Effiong and a major lesson to all Nigerians especially Igbo efulefu. That is why General Effiong will never die! His "Spirit" lives forever!!

I thank God for General Effiong. He was as constant as the Northern Star. A rare gem in a continent full of purchasable "humans."  He never sold out. He was a giant among pygmies. When the history books are written, it would say: "there was a great African, an officer and gentleman who stood for principles and gallantly fought against injustice and oppression despite paying a heavy price for it, he never compromised his principles/beliefs. He was a shinning star amidst darkness. He is the Hero of the oppressed. That great African is General Effiong".

Till we meet again in heaven, my dear General and Big Brother, Adieu.

Emeka Njoku London, Canada Febuary 25, 2004