Kalu said: “Since we all agree it was a war of unity, I would like those who died fighting for Biafra to also be remembered.
“I know of the great poet, Major Chris Ifekandu Okigbo; Lt.Tom Bigger; Chief Emeka Ojukwu’s half-brother, Colonel Chude Sokei; the Head of the Biafra Air Force, Major Hannibal Okpani Nkama, who is also one of Nigeria’s best cadets; and, of course, Corporal Nwafor, the gunner.”
According to the former governor: “What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.
“Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu received his pension from the Federal Government and was given a hero’s burial in death.
“So as we honour the dead, let recognition go to men who fought on both sides.”
Okigbo, a contemporary of Prof. Wole Soyinka at the University of Ibadan, died at Opi, near Nsukka while trying to blow up an armoured car with grenade in 1967, shortly after Bigger died alongside Major Kaduna Nzeogwu in the same Nsukka Sector.
Sokei was mortally wounded by mortar fire at Afor Igwe Ochie Market, Ogidi in 1968.
In an act of bravado, Nwafor, whose sole aim hit a Saladin armoured vehicle, also died in Ogidi.
Kalu joined Nigerians in celebrating the dead military heroes.
He said: “I recognise the sacrifice they all made and hope they did not die in vain.
“I also remember Colonel Iyowa Roland Akahan, Army Chief, who died in an air crash, just like Chief of Air Staff, Colonel Shittu Alao, who died in Uzebba in 1969 and Captain George Musa Jebak, near Ife.
“Major Ted Hamman of the 16th Brigade, who died in Owerri,1969, Lieutenant Colonel Shande, Major Olurin, Major Nat Nasamu and Lieutenant Gagara, among so many others.”
Kalu also advised the government to seize the opportunity to heal wounds across the land in the spirit of reconciliation.
He added: “Must we continue to punish Lieutenant Colonel Victor Adebukunola Banjo, Major Emmanuel Arinze Ifeajuna, General Iliya Bisalla, Joseph Dechi Gomwalk and Abdulkarim Zakari even in death?
“This is time to look ahead.”
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