This is Dr. Francis Akanụ Ịbịam. Aside returning his British Knighthood and renouncing his English name, Francis, in protest against the British Government's support of the Nigerian Federal Government killing his people, let me tell you more about him...
Born in Unwana,
Born in Unwana,
Afikpo, present day Ebọnyị State on 29 November 1906. His father's name is Ịbịam Aka, a traditional ruler of Ụnwana.
Akanụ attended Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar and King's College, Lagos. He was later admitted to the University of St. Andrews.
Akanụ attended Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar and King's College, Lagos. He was later admitted to the University of St. Andrews.
He graduated with a medical degree in 1934, then was accepted as a medical missionary of the Church of Scotland. He established Abiriba Hospital (1936-1945) and later superintendent mission hospitals at Itu and Uburu.
He was appointed an honorary officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1949. In 1951, he was appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). He was the president of the Christian Council of Nigeria (1955-1958)
In 1957, he was appointed the principal of Hope Waddell Institute. In 1959, he was president of the University College of Ibadan.
Before Independence, Ibiam served in local government, in the Eastern Regional House of Assembly, and in the legislative and Executive Councils.
Before Independence, Ibiam served in local government, in the Eastern Regional House of Assembly, and in the legislative and Executive Councils.
After independence in 1960, Ibiam was appointed first Governor of Eastern Region. He remained the governor until the military coup of 1966. Ojukwu succeeded him as the military governor of Eastern Region. Agụiyi Ironsi became then, the first military Head of State.
During the war between 1967-1970, he didn't pick offence that Ojukwu ejected him from office in Enugwu, it was a war for survival. A fight to live. He was out to help Biafrans get relief. He used his international contact. As one of the six president of World Council of Churches,
Ịbịam spoke at the meeting in Upsalla, Sweden in July 1968 to seek relief for refugees and Biafrans but Bola Ige, an Adviser to the Church of the Province of West Africa ensured that the name "BIAFRA" was avoided. He fought against the relief of the church going to help Biafra.
Ibiam traveled across Canada, Europe to raise humanitarian aid and support for the people of Biafra.
Seeing increasing support of the Britain to annihilate Biafrans, he renounce his name, "Francis" and returned his British Awards and Knighthoods to them as a protest.
Seeing increasing support of the Britain to annihilate Biafrans, he renounce his name, "Francis" and returned his British Awards and Knighthoods to them as a protest.
Akanụ Ibiam was later Ezeogo 1 of Ụnwana—Traditional ruler. Akanụ Ibiam International Airport Enugwu is named after him. Akanụ Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Ụnwana is named after him. Akanụ Ibiam Stadium UNN.
He died on July 1, 1995. Over 20,000 people attended his burial.
He died on July 1, 1995. Over 20,000 people attended his burial.
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