The Alaigbo Development Foundation(ADF), an Igbo pressure group with interest on the development of Igbo nation, on Thursday brightened the hopes of living of some ex-soldiers who fought on the side of Biafran during the Nigeria civil war but currently abandoned at Oji River, Enugu State rehabilitation home of civil war veterans.
The ADF President, Professor Uzodinma Nwala, who was represented by Mr Osita Chukwuagbanarinam, said the gesture was part of the organization’s efforts in caring for the needy in the society as most of them sacrificed their times and lives to have fought for the peace and unity of Nigeria.
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 concerned citizens especially of the Igbo race to come to your aid.”
ADF, during the visit, donated bags of rice and an undisclosed amount of money to the surviving families still living at Ojii River camp for war veterans.
Appreciating ADF, Mr Gideon Njoku, 78 years of age who said that he hails from Umuonyeukwu village Ikeduru, Imo State, lamented that over 75 of them who fought on the side of Biafra 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.
Now, he said, “it is only seven of us out of over 70 Nigeria war veterans who were relocated to Oji River camp are still surviving. Most of the dead died out of frustration, helplessness and abandonment, both by the arms of government and related families.
“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.”
An 81 years 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 philanthropist 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 the society in training and offering job opportunities to their children.
Our Correspondent was told 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 Njoku disclosed that the machine never worked till date since it was brought to Enugu.
In addition to food items and cash donation, ADF came along with a qualified medical nurse who conducted medical tests on the surviving veterans, assuring them of free drugs courtesy of ADF.
The ADF women leader, Mrs Pauline Awuja, who was part of the delegation, advised both the wives and children of the war veterans living at Oji River camp to continue to be of good behaviour, promising that ADF is soliciting for help to come their way from Igbos living in Diaspora.
