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Ojukwu

Ojukwu is a Nigerian surname of Igbo origin. The name is most commonly associated with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a prominent figure in Nigerian history, particularly for his role during the Nigerian Civil War. While the surname may refer to other individuals, the legacy of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu is the most widely recognized use in historical and political contexts.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was born in 1933 into the Odumegwu Ojukwu family, one of Nigeria’s leading business

After the war, Ojukwu lived in exile for many years, residing in Ivory Coast and Britain. He

lineages.
He
pursued
a
military
career
and
rose
through
the
ranks
of
the
Nigerian
Army.
Following
political
upheaval
and
a
series
of
counter-coups
in
the
mid-1960s,
he
became
a
central
figure
in
the
movement
for
secession
by
the
eastern
region
of
Nigeria.
In
May
1967,
he
declared
the
independence
of
the
Republic
of
Biafra
and
served
as
its
head
of
state
and
supreme
commander
of
the
Biafran
armed
forces.
The
ensuing
conflict,
known
as
the
Nigerian
Civil
War,
lasted
until
1970
and
caused
extensive
casualties
and
displacement
on
all
sides
before
Biafra’s
defeat.
returned
to
Nigeria
in
1982
following
an
amnesty
offer
and
later
reentered
political
life,
becoming
a
notable
leader
within
Igbo
and
Nigerian
political
circles.
He
remained
a
controversial
figure
due
to
his
role
in
the
war,
but
he
continued
to
influence
discussions
on
national
unity
and
regional
politics
until
his
death
in
2011
in
London.