By Austin Ogwuda
ONE of the key fighters during the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 – 1970) Ogbueshi Major Cyril Azubuogo is dead.
Family sources confirmed the demise which occurred few days ago but didn’t give further details.
He was prominent community leader who contributed immensely to the development of Okpanam while he was alive.
The civil war fought between Nigeria and then Republic of Biafra, a secessionist state which had declared its independence from Nigeria in 1967 was led by General Yakubu Gowon on the Nigeria side, and by Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Ikemba on the Biafra side.
Apart from late Colonel Joseph Achuzia, aka ‘Hannibal’ who created waves during the war, Major Azubuogo was also among the key figures from Delta North (Anioma) who stood out while the war lasted.
Major Azubuogo enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a Cadet Officer in August 1962, had his military and academic training at Haile Sellasie 1st Military Academy Ethiopia.
On completion of the training, he was commissioned a ZLT into the Nigerian Army where he held various appointments until the beginning of hostiles when he commanded forces in Biafra.
Born into the family of late Ogbueshi R.O. Azubuogo and late Christian Azubuogo of Ogbeosadi village, Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State, Azubuogo attended the prestigious St. Patrick’s College, SPC, Asaba where he obtained his West Africa School Certificate in 1960.
He had a brief working experience with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration Department Lagos, before proceeding to P&T School Oshodi for Engineering Training.
He went into private business at the end of the hostiles in January 1970, establishing a construction and distribution outfit.
He is a devout Catholic and happily married to Ezinne Mrs Elizabeth Azubuogo and the union is blessed with children and grand children.
