OJUKWU’S “HANDSHAKE ACROSS THE NIGER”: A BLUEPRINT NDÍ IGBO MUST NOT FORGET

:

By Ezeikolomuo, Igbo Consciousness Teacher

When Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu returned from Ivory Coast after receiving an unconditional pardon from President Shehu Shagari, he launched a national reconciliation initiative famously known as “Handshake Across the Niger.”

Ojukwu, who had led the Biafran side during the civil war, understood that the fratricidal conflict left behind deep wounds, resentment, and mistrust. He knew Ndí Igbo needed healing, reintegration, and reconnection with other ethnic nationalities.

Yet, even before his return, many Igbo leaders had already taken it upon themselves to build bridges across the country. These patriotic Nigerians—cutting across ethnic lines—played significant roles behind the scenes in facilitating Ojukwu’s eventual return. One of such key figures was Dr. Nwafor Orizu, a close friend of President Shagari.

In many ways, Ojukwu’s Handshake Across the Niger was not just about the Igbo nation—it was also about Ojukwu himself. The Ikemba Nnewi embodied the struggle, and by touring the country to speak on patriotism, unity, and reconciliation, he was publicly affirming that he had moved on. He had embraced Nigeria fully—a nation he once took up arms against.

Nigeria, in return, honored him. Upon his death, Ojukwu was buried as a Nigerian Army General, not as a Biafran general—a symbolic affirmation of his reintegration and national relevance.

For the rest of his life, he remained a patriotic Nigerian, strengthening alliances and friendships across ethnic boundaries.

This is why it is troubling today when modern Biafran agitators invoke Ojukwu’s name to justify a struggle he clearly let go of.
If anything, Ojukwu urged Ndí Igbo to move on—to heal, to reconcile, and to pursue national inclusion rather than isolation.

What Ndí Igbo need now is to return to the Ojukwu blueprint:
✔ Build bridges, not walls.
✔ Pursue healing instead of bitterness.
✔ Embrace opportunities within Nigeria rather than allowing anger to blind us.

We do not need another war to learn the lessons Ojukwu taught in peace.

If today’s agitators truly admire Ojukwu, they must listen to the older, wiser Ojukwu, not the younger war-time version of him.

In Igbo philosophy we say “Nke írú kà”—the future is greater than the past.
A restructured, just, and inclusive Nigeria is the future.
Biafra, as Ojukwu eventually realized, is the past.

Nke írú kà!