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Biafran Veterans Cry Out

Daily Champion (Lagos)
NEWS
December 5, 2004
Posted to the web December 6, 2004

By Nkiru Okeke
Enugu
BIAFRAN veterans, residing in Oji River Rehabilitation Centre have appealed for
financial assistance from the Federal government.
The veterans' appeal came through their president, Mr. Lawrence Akpu, when the
members of Eastern Peoples Congress (EPC) made a cash donation and various food
items, also called on the government of the South Eastern states to come to
their aid.
While pleading with Ndigbo not to allow them waste in the camp, he noted that
they fought the civil war, so that others could live.
According to him, "we moved into the camp in July 1975. We were about 1,000
disabled Biafran soldiers. Many have died since then and some others have left
the camp and reintegrated with their respective families, presently, only about
200 disabled persons are in the camp" and thanked the EPC for their kind
donations.
Also speaking, the facilitator of Eastern Peoples Congress, Prince Longinus
Orjikoh explained that his members had decided to pay annual visit to the camp
to show solidarity as well as to draw strength from the veterans' determination
and patriotism.
He said: "The dangers we face daily has tripled to the point that those who
escaped religious riots perish in accidents which are occasioned by bad roads,
police bullets cut those who survived accidents. He noted that despite the odds
confronting our people today, we are not relenting, though we have no arms, but
we have tremendous weapons at our disposal which neither bullet nor bribe can
quench. In our non-violent approach, we are expecting President Obasanjo to
live up to the democratic fair play, which they have been preaching in Africa
and beyond."

   

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