Leader and Apostle. Lt.
Colonel Ojukwu (left) and 2nd Lt. Richard Ihetu, the boxer “Dick Tiger”.
Ojukwu
promised me.
Yes, that Ojukwu. Dim. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu,
Eze Igbo. The Ikemba of Nnewi. Gburugburu.
I wrote a
letter to his Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi residence (Villaska Lodge) enquiring about
the possibility of interviewing the man who was the leader of the Biafran
secession for my planned book on Richard Ihetu, the boxer “Dick Tiger”, who
renounced Nigeria and declared his support for Biafra.
His
secretary, Chief S.N.C. Ezeugwa wrote back from Enugu in an airmail letter
dated February 23 1999:
Dear Adeyinka
Makinde,
I have been
directed by his Excellency, Dim. C. Odumegwu-Ojukwu to refer to your letter of
14th December 1998 and to wish you success in your project - (the) Biography of
the late Richard Ihetu a.k.a. Dick Tiger.
He would have
like(ed) to have assisted you in the areas mentioned, but due to his crowded
daily schedule it is not possible. However, he has graciously agreed to give a
tribute to the book.
Please
confirm that this is acceptable to you.
I wish you
God’s continued protection and guidance.
Signed:
Chief S.N.C.
Ezeugwa
(Chief
Secretary)
For: Dim C.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu
(Eze Igbo)
Alas, it
never came to pass. I never received another reply to my follow up letter from
Chief Ezeugwa.
© Adeyinka
Makinde (2019)
Adeyinka
Makinde is the author of the biography, Dick
Tiger: The Life and Times of a Boxing Immortal.
