OJUKWUS' LAST SPEECH IN BIAFRA

General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu gave his last speech as Biafran Head-of-State before leaving for Côte d'Ivoire, on this date. On that occasion, he said:

“In the three years of the war, necessity gave birth to invention. During those three years of heroic bound, we leapt across the great chasm that separates knowledge from know-how. We built rockets, and we designed and built our own delivery systems. We guided our rockets. We guided them far, we guided them accurately.

For three years, blockaded without hope of import, we maintained all our vehicles. The state extracted and refined petrol, individuals refined petrol in their back gardens. We built and maintained our airports, maintained them under heavy bombardment. 

Despite the heavy bombardment, we recovered so quickly after each raid that we were able to maintain the record for the busiest airport in the continent of Africa. We spoke to the world through telecommunication system engineered by local ingenuity; the world heard us and spoke back to us! We built armoured car tanks. We modified aircraft from trainer to fighters, from passenger aircraft to bombers. In the three years of freedom we had broken the technological barrier.

Credit: Historical Nigeria

THE LETTER FROM OJUKWU TO BANJO

Many people dont know who Brigadier General Hillary Njoku is but he was the first GOC of the Biafran Army until he fell out with Ojukwu and was replaced by General Madiebo. After the war ended, Njoku wrote a book called "Tragedy without heroes" in which he wrote about his military career and time as commander of the Biafran Army. He also attached to his book the appointment letter Ojukwu wrote to late Victor Banjo giving him control of Biafran forces to liberate Western Nigeria from the North. The explosive letter is below:

22nd August 1967

My dear Victor

(1) For sometime now, you and I have been discussing the circumstances Which have led to the current and inevitable disintegration of what was the Federation of Nigeria. We have been fully convinced that the aim of the Hausa/Fulani complex has ever been, and will ever remain the total domination of every other part of what was known as the Federation of Nigeria. It is impossible to forget that the crisis which led to the army takeover in January 1966, the coup of the Northern Soldiers Ied by Gowon in July 1966, the wholesale and indiscriminate massacre of the people of what is now Biafra and to a less degree, the people of the Mid-west and West, including the Yorubas - were all the direct result of the Hausa/Fulani attempt to subjugate and use us as tools, the gallant people of Western Nigeria, namely the Yorubas. We do not need to remind ourselves of the heavy losses in life and property suffered by the Yoruba people in their fight for justice and freedom during 1965.

2. Sharing our belief that the people of Yorubaland have a right to live a life of equality, self-respect and justice, free of domination and dictatorship from any quarter, you have both identified yourself with the cause of the Biafran struggle for survival and expressed your determination to see the people of Yorubaland freed from Hausa/Fulani domination. We, the people of Biafra, for our part are willing and have decided to give you and the people of Yorubaland every assistance to achieve your aim.

3. After clearing the whole question with my Executive Council, I, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Biafra Armed Forces, have decided to place at your disposal Biafran forces for the liberation of Yorubaland on the following clear conditions:-

(i)You will have nothing to do with the Military Administration of the Mid-west Territory during your sojourn there prior to your move to the West.

(ii) The willingness and preparedness of Biafra to assist any part of the former Federation of Nigeria wishing and willing to liberate itself from the Hausa/Fulani domination, does not in any way whatever imply any inclination on her part to compromise her sovereignty or preserve what remains of the defunct Federation of Nigeria. In other words, our sovereignty and break with what used to be known as Nigeria are complete and irrevocable. Nothing must, therefore, be said or done by you or any member of the Liberation Army to give a contrary impression.

(iii) Biafra is determined to maintain and safeguard her sovereignty, and ensure that her integrity are never again threatend.

(iv) Biafran troops will, after the liberation of Yorubaland, remain in that territory only for as long as we in Biafra consider it necessary for the Yorubas to consolidate their position and sovereignty against any external threat.

(v) On the liberation of Yorubaland, you will be appointed Military Governor of that territory.

(vi) The liberation of Western Nigeria will be a prelude to the liberation of all Yorubas up to the River Niger and the severance of all connections between the West and the North at Jebba.

(Vii) during the period of Biafra troops presence in your territory, all political measures, statements or decrees shall be subject to the approval in writting, by myself or on my authority.

(Viii) Should our troops arrive and liberate Lagos, the Government of the Republic of Biafra reserves the right to appoint an administrator for that territory. Such an Administrator will remain in office until a merger of that territory with Yorubaland is effected and Biafran troops withdrawn.

(ix) As soon as possible after your appointment as the Military Governor of Western Nigeria and the separation of that territory from Nigeria, you and I must meet to discuss:

(a) The duration of stay by Biafran troops in your territory.

(b) The areas and subjects of co-operation between the liberated state of Western Nigeria, or by what name it may call itself, and Biafra.

(4) I do not need to remind you that Biafra regards all Yorubas as friends. As such, everything must be done, to ensure that the minimum force and loss of life are involved in achieving the objective of liberation.

(5) It is essential, in order to avoid misunderstanding or confusion, that all subsequent requests for support be formally made to me by you in writing.

(6) Will you please signify, in writing, your acceptance of the above conditions so that you may leave for Western Nigeria and lead the Army of Liberation.

Yours very sincerely
Sigd: Lt. Col. C. Odumegwu Ojukwu
Military Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Biafran Armed Forces.

Brigadier Victor Banjo Enugu,

Copy to: The Senior Biafra Army Officer Liberation Army to the West

WHEN A POPE DIES..

With Pope Francis remaining in a critical condition in hospital, millions of Catholics are praying that he will recover.

The Vatican offered hope today by saying there has been a 'slight improvement' in the condition of the Pontiff, who was admitted on Valentine's Day with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.

But the plight of the Argentine has prompted discussion about what will happen when the worst news does come.

After the death of a pope, their funeral will take place a maximum of six days later, during which time their body lies in state in St Peter's Basilica.

The Conclave - where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor - will not happen for at least 15 days from the day of the pope's passing.

The Vatican Chamberlain, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will first certify officially that the Pope is dead by calling his name three times at his bedside.

The Pope's office and private apartments will be sealed and the papal fisherman's ring removed from his finger and broken with a hammer.

The body of the Pope will then be dressed in red robes with a white mitre on his head, and he will be taken to St Peter's Basilica to lie in state for three days.

How Pope Francis’s successor will be chosen 

The College of Cardinals will meet in Rome to choose a successor to

Pope Francis I. The conclave follows precise rules - only cardinals

aged under 80 are allowed to vote. The ballot will not take place for

at least 15 days, after nine days of official mourning. In the interim, a

cardinal known as the camerlengo, or chamberlain, becomes interim chief with limited powers.

Who will be voting?

Of the 252 living cardinals, 138 are under 80 and are therefore eligible to vote in the conclave.

Who will be voting?

Of the 252 living cardinals, 138 are under 80 and are therefore eligible to vote in the conclave.

Inside the Sistine Chapel

The cardinals are locked inside the chapel without electronic

devices or newspapers. Each cardinal secretly fills in the name of his

preferred candidate. In order of seniority, they walk to the altar and place it in an urn.

In contrast to most of his predecessors - Francis revealed in 2023 that he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood, rather than with most of his predecessors in the grottoes beneath St Peter's.

Only cardinals who are aged 80 and under - so 138 of 252 currently - can vote in the conclave.

Cardinals will be locked inside the Chapel without access to technology or the outside world until a new pope is chosen by two-thirds majority.

The previous conclave - when Pope Benedict stepped down in 2013 - took just a day, but technically they can last weeks, months or even years. 

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In modern times, they have tended to only last a few days. If after around two weeks of balloting no new pope has been chosen, cardinals can opt for a majority vote.  

The conclave's first day begins with the 'Pro eligendo Romano Pontificie' Mass for the election of a Pope.

After the death of a pope, their funeral will take place a maximum of six days later, during which time their body lies in state in St Peter's Basilica.

The Conclave - where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor - will not happen for at least 15 days from the day of the pope's passing.

The Vatican Chamberlain, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will first certify officially that the Pope is dead by calling his name three times at his bedside.

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The Pope's office and private apartments will be sealed and the papal fisherman's ring removed from his finger and broken with a hammer.

The body of the Pope will then be dressed in red robes with a white mitre on his head, and he will be taken to St Peter's Basilica to lie in state for three days.

In contrast to most of his predecessors - Francis revealed in 2023 that he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood, rather than with most of his predecessors in the grottoes beneath St Peter's.

Only cardinals who are aged 80 and under - so 138 of 252 currently - can vote in the conclave.

Cardinals will be locked inside the Chapel without access to technology or the outside world until a new pope is chosen by two-thirds majority.

The previous conclave - when Pope Benedict stepped down in 2013 - took just a day, but technically they can last weeks, months or even years. 

In modern times, they have tended to only last a few days. If after around two weeks of balloting no new pope has been chosen, cardinals can opt for a majority vote.  

The conclave's first day begins with the 'Pro eligendo Romano Pontificie' Mass for the election of a pope.

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Cardinals will gather in the afternoon in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace and then file into the Sistine Chapel.

As they do so, they will chant the Litany of Saints and the Latin hymn Veni Creator, which implores the saints and the Holy Spirit to help them in their decision.

The Conclave will take place in the Sistine Chapel. Above: Cardinals on the first day of the Conclave in 2013, after the resignation of Benedict

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The Conclave will take place in the Sistine Chapel. Above: Cardinals on the first day of the Conclave in 2013, after the resignation of Benedict

Pope Francis addressing the faithful form the balcony of St Peter's Basilica after being chosen as the new pontiff, Standing under Michelangelo's 'Creation' and before his 'Last Judgment,' each cardinal places his hand on the Gospels and pledges 'with the greatest fidelity' never to reveal the details of the conclave.

A meditation on the qualities needed for the next pope and the challenges ahead for the church is delivered by Maltese Cardinal Prosper Grech.

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The master of liturgical celebrations then cries 'Extra omnes', Latin for 'all out.'

Everyone except the cardinals then leaves and the voting can begin.

Each cardinal writes his choice on a piece of paper inscribed with the words 'Eligo in summen pontificem,' (I elect as Supreme Pontiff). 

One by one, they approach the altar and say: 'I call as my witness, Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.

The folded ballot is placed on a round plate and slid into an oval silver and gold urn.

In the past, a single chalice was used to hold the ballots. 

In line with tradition, Benedict lay in state inside St Peter's Basilica (above, January 2023) and was then buried in a crypt underneath the building. Pope Francis will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood

In line with tradition, Benedict lay in state inside St Peter's Basilica (above, January 2023) and was then buried in a crypt underneath the building. Pope Francis will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood

What happens with Pope leadership when he becomes incapacitated?

But conclave changes made by Pope John Paul II in 1996 required three vessels: one for chapel ballots, another for ailing cardinals at the Vatican who can vote from their beds and the third to hold the ballots after counting.

Outside, in St Peter's Square, tens of thousands of Catholics will be watching - along with millions more on television around the world - to see smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel after each voting round.

Black smoke means no decision has been reached, white smoke means a new pope has been selected. 

The smoke arises from the burned ballots, and a dye is added to make sure the smoke is the right colour each time. 

Once the cardinals have chosen from among their number the master of liturgical ceremonies will enter the Sistine Chapel.

The prospective choice will be asked: 'Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?'

Assuming they say, 'I accept', the cardinal will then be asked by what name they wish to be known.

The new pope will then be given their iconic white cassock, before each cardinal approaches him to swear obedience.

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