It was a moment of sober reflection in commemoration of victims of Biafran war as the Peace and Reconciliation House where the ceasefire was signed commenced its first exhibition in Amichi. CHIKA OKEKE who was in Anambra recounts the event.
At the entrance of Peace and Reconciliation House Amichi, one could easily notice the golden sculptural image of Late Chief Benjamin Obijiofor Atuchukwu, the owner of the peace building.
The edifice reminds any visitor that late Atuchukwu was undoubtedly a wealthy man in the olden days.? The peace building is a two storey building located in a spacious compound with additional two storey building, a car garage and a hall. Amichi, the host community is located in Nnewi South local government area of present day Anambra State.?
The founder of Amichi called “Ichi’ was said to be a native of Adazi Enu, a neighbouring village to Amichi who had two wives. The village is made up of four districts namely: Okparabuisi, Udene, Afube and Asa.
Notwithstanding the districts, it is governed through hereditary from Ezeoke family as the incumbent ruler is HRH Igwe Ofobuike Ezeoke, Aneke of Amichi. The natives are mainly farmers but have now engaged in commerce.
It would be recalled that the Peace accord meeting which technically brought to an end the 30 months of civil war through a negotiated settlement between the federal government and the then Biafran leader was signed at Amichi.
The then Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo led the Nigeria Federal troupe while Colonel Philip Effiong led the Defunct Biafran Government. Due to its historical importance, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared the building a national monument on January 15, 2006. The edifice was built from 1964 to 1965 but was finally opened in 1966.
Recently, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) organised the first exhibition at the Peace Treaty House in commemoration of the victims of the Biafran war that led to the death of over two million people.
Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria: Path To Peace and Reconciliation” the Director General, NCMM, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman emphasised that the exhibition was meant to highlight the supremacy of peace and reconciliation over war despite its justification.
“I am dedicating this exhibition to over two million people that lost their lives during the Biafran war with fervent prayers that their blood and our collective sufferings shall be accepted as sacrifice for our future unity, peace and progress.
According to him, as we open this exhibition in memory of the woes and follies of the civil war, we also celebrate how far we have moved away from the path of self destruction. It must be emphasised that 42 two years after the momentous decision for peace and reconciliation, in this place, it is not only futile but self destructive to imagine that any segment of this country can fare better without the rest.
Our main objective is to inform and sensitise the new generation about the reality that the only enduring way for progress is through peace and reconciliation which cannot come at a better time than now when our country is being challenged by disenchanted centrifugal forces.
The exhibition would have been opened on January 13, the anniversary date for the end of civil war but for the fuel subsidy strike it was moved to February 13, being the date that one of the late heads of state, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was assassinated.