Friday 2 March 2012

A love supreme indeed


“A leader… must at all times stand for justice in dealing with the People… should be the symbol of justice… A leader who serves [the] people well will be enshrined in their hearts and minds. This is all the reward [the leader] can expect in his/[her] life-time…” – Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Ahiara Declaration, Ahiara, south Biafra, 1 June 1969
General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s extraordinary service of dedication to the Igbo during the Igbo genocide (29 May 1966-12 January 1970), Africa’s most gruesome and devastating genocide of the 20th century, is his love for his people, for humanity. 3.1 million Igbo people or one-quarter of this nation’s population were murdered by the Nigeria state and its allies during those 44 haunting months of certain death. As the General is laid to rest later on today in his beloved Nnewi, no other than Coltrane’s classic suite, A Love Supreme, sets the panoramic canvass that defines Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s indelible service. Here, the John Coltrane Quartet plays “Psalm”, the fourth and final movement of A Love Supreme – personnel: Coltrane, tenor saxophone; McCoy Tyner, piano; Jimmy Garrison, bass; Elvin Jones, drums (recorded: Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, United States, 9 December 1964).

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