26/11/2024
Radio Biafra;
Colonel Obasanjo asked some of the Radio Biafra workers to accompany him to Lagos where they would be reabsorbed by Radio Nigeria.
Radio Biafra had many prominent names. People like Chinua Achebe, Uche Chukwumerije and Cyprian Ekwensi made contributions. At the time the war ended in January 1970, it was headed by Sam Nwaneri.
Okokon Ndem’s voice was sharper than an AK -47 bullet. The way he made announcements, many Biafrans believed their troops were just miles short of capturing Gen. Yakubu Gowon alive.
It was believed that Radio Biafra operated from Enugu which had fallen into Federal hands as early as 1967.
Many wondered how Gen. Emeka Ojukwu held on to that miracle.
However, the man who made Radio Biafra stay on, was Heron Okeahialam, an Electrical/Electronics engineer, trained in the United Kingdom.
While he moved the station from one secret location to another, bullets and fighter bombers were unable to detect it.
Prof. Okeahialam is his elder brother.
Prof. Okeahialam said: “Heron converted Radio Biafra from medium to short wave, for wider coverage.”
It was indeed a mobile station. It moved from Enugu to Umuahia and by the end of the war was operating from Obodoukwu Urualla in today’s Ideato area of Imo State.
“At one time,” Prof. Okeahialam added, “the transmitter was in Otulu during the war and a long palm tree was used to mount the aerial.”
Col. Olu Obasanjo who received the instrument of surrender as General Officer Commanding, Third Marine Commando Division of the Nigeria Army could not but marvel at what was Radio Biafra.
Locating it was like a wild goose chase. Accompanied by battle tested troops, Obasanjo waltzed through rough terrain in his official Mercedes Benz car, NA 116, until mission was accomplished.
He said:”The station was well camouflaged from both ground and air by trees and palm fronds which were changed regularly. It was a perfect job.”
Trust Obasanjo, he came battle ready and was after Okokon Ndem. The bro
