…the story of Emmanuel Chukwu and wife
In 1991, during Liberia’s deadly civil war that brought down Samuel Doe, one Nigerian man saved over 1,000 fellow Nigerians from sure death. His name? Mr Emmanuel Chukwu.
Mr Chukwu was a successful businessman in Liberia. He had powerful friends, access to government, and was doing well. But when war broke out, things changed fast. Rebel leader Charles Taylor declared Nigeria an enemy, and announced that for every Liberian killed, five Nigerians would be killed in revenge.
Chukwu acted fast. He used his own money, contacts and even handed over his brand new Mercedes Benz to secure the release of captured Nigerians. When the Nigerian government had no evacuation plan, it was Chukwu who used his own two cargo ships to save Nigerians. Many had nowhere else to run. Chukwu told them to go straight to his ships.
Over one thousand people, including women and children, were loaded onto the ships. He even bribed Taylor’s coast guards just so they could sail out of Liberia safely.
But in the process, he lost everything. His imported goods were left behind. His ships were gone. His money in Nigerian banks disappeared as the banks collapsed. Worst of all, his younger brother was captured and killed during the war.
When he returned to Nigeria with his family, he had just 600 dollars to his name.
He hoped that the Nigerian government would honour their promise to help him resettle. At first, things looked hopeful. General Babangida approved compensation. But decades passed and nothing was ever done.
Chukwu visited Obasanjo, followed up during Goodluck Jonathan’s time, and even got support from Dora Akunyili before she passed. Yet, still nothing.
Today, Mr Chukwu lives between Lagos and Suleja in hardship, waiting for help that never came. His wife, who stood by him all these years, has now gone totally blind. She lost her sight because they couldn’t afford to complete her treatment. One kind Nigerian, Hope Uzodinma (now governor of Imo), once stepped in to help. But it was too late.
“I just want to see again,” his wife once said.
Mr Chukwu still believes one day Nigeria will remember what he did, and keep the promise made to him over 30 years ago.
This man saved lives when our government was silent. He deserves honour, support, and justice.
