By Bona Obiorah and Eugene Okonkwo
Editor’s note: This is a continuation of our series of memoirs on the Igbo pharmacy students at the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (Ibadan Campus), who had to choose between running for their lives when the Biafra war began or completing their degree programme.
The run from Ibadan to Asaba on 1 June, 1967 and then back to Ibadan into the B.Pharm exam hall the following day, was an experience better imagined.
We were very busy preparing for our examinations to start on 2 June 1967, but on 30 May, Gen. Ojukwu declared the Independent Republic of Biafra. Confusion set in among those of us from the East. After a brief meeting, we decided to return home. This meant abandoning the B.Pharm degree exam.
We went to inform the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hezekiah Oluwasanmi, of our decision. He said that for the first time in his career, he found himself in a situation where he could not protect his students. He provided two buses with police escorts to take us to Asaba and also for those of us with our cars. Moses Azuike, Eugene Okonkwo and Bona Obiorah had their cars.
Later on, we realised that some Igbo students had chosen to remain in school. These included Azubike Chukwumerije, George Ezenwa, Peter Ekwunife, Edward Akagha and Ralph Enemmuo.
Reconsideration and return
When we got Benin to refuel, we found that Felix Agwaniru and Felix Anazodo were no longer with us. As we proceeded, some students in the lower classes, notably Evans Chidomere, appealed to those of us in the final year to return and write our exams. By the time we got to Asaba, we had decided to go back to Ibadan. Some of us that got to Asaba were Eugene Okonkwo, Bona Obiorah, Ifeanyi Atueyi, Pius Ogwueleka, Denis Okolo and Moses Azuike
Having resolved to return to Ibadan and write our exams, we (Eugene and Bonah) left our cars at a filling station after paying some money to them. We then took a station-wagon to return to Ibadan.On getting to Oluku Junction, in Benin, we found very heavy traffic, with soldiers mounting a checkpoint. It was already evening. Some of us went forward with our ID cards to plead with the soldiers to let our vehicle pass. Fortunately, they allowed us.
By the time we got to Ibadan in the morning, the first paper had started. After a lot of pressure on the Head of Department, he was able to get the vice-chancellor to allow us write the exam. When we entered the hall, some of the students who had stayed back could not raise their heads because of shame.
Happy ending
Finally, we wrote our B.Pharm exams. The last session was the viva and we pleaded to be called in early because the vehicle that would take us back to Asaba would arrive any time.
When we were done, we set off again. At Asaba, we dispersed to different places. Eugene and Bonah found that we could not take our cars to Biafra. So, we returned home without the cars.
Later on, the two of us went back to Asaba and observed that canoes were taking cars across the River Niger. We arranged for a big canoe that took us and our cars across the river to Onitsha. Once over, we drove to Bonah’s family home in Amawbia, where his father welcomed us with a big bundle of suya.
After a good rest, Eugene drove to Enugu, while Bonah remained at home for some time before also moving to Enugu. That experience was like a dream but it was real.
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