One of the soldiers who participated in the January 15, 1966 coup, Colonel Nwobosi has died on Tuesday morning at the age of 82, IgbereTV reports.
The elder statesman was formally Captain in the Nigerian Army, and Colonel in the defunct Biafran Army, as well as Chief of Staff to the late Biafran leader, General Emeka Ojukwu.
He participated in the January 1966 coup plot, popularly referred to as the Nzeogwu coup, which led to the collapse of the First Republic of Nigeria.
He died on Tuesday at his Obosi in Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State, his country home.
Hon. Emmanuel Nwobosi (jnr) on behalf of the family, said that the patriarch died after a brief illness associated with old age.
He said further that the family will give details of his funeral arrangement later.
“Yes, my father, Col Emma Nworah Nwobosi, is dead. He died today (Tuesday) after a brief illness, reasonably associated with old age,” he said.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala, Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Tony Muonagor, among others, accompanied Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, and they were received by Nwobosi’s family members and kinsmen.
Speaking at his Country home in Obosi, Idemili North local government area, Governor Obiano who described him as a legend during his lifetime said that he worked closely with him, especially during the Ozoemezina mass burial for Nigeria/Biafra war victims held at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square.
Also, the member of the House of Representatives for Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Emeka Azubogu, has commiserated with the family of Nworah Nwobosi on the demise of their patriarch.
In a statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia, the lawmaker, who described Nwobosi as trusted companion of the late Biafra warlord, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi), asked the family to bear the loss with fortitude as, according to him, their late father was a blessing to Nigeria, Igbo people and Obosi community in particular; adding that the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation.
