Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has commissioned the Bruce Mayrock Memorial, a symbolic tribute to the young American student who gave his life protesting the global silence during the Nigerian civil war.The memorial, which now stands on Nigerian soil, honours Mayrock, a Columbia University student who set himself ablaze in front of the United Nations headquarters in 1969 to draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis during the war.Mayrock reportedly died the following day from his injuries. Prior to the act, it was reported that the student had been actively protesting the crisis, writing letters to politicians, including the President of the United States.In an open letter on Monday, the Director General of the Labour Party’s Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration, Comrade Marcel Ngogbehei, praised Ojukwu for her loyalty to the legacy of her late husband, Dim Chukwuemeka
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a revered Biafran leader.
He noted that the unveiling of the memorial comes at a time when the scars of marginalisation still linger in Nigeria’s South East, describing the monument as a huge plus for the federal government’s image and a signal of inclusive remembrance.
Ngogbehei said Mayrock, despite being an outsider by nationality and culture, remains a symbol of international empathy and moral courage.“This act is both historic and healing. It serves as a symbolic bridge between continents, between the past and the present, and between suppressed memory and emerging truth.“This action aligns with our core values: historical truth, social justice, and inclusive national healing. It shows that even within today’s complex political climate, there are still voices within the government who remember, who empathise, and who are willing to act,” Ngogbehei said.He pledged to support Ojukwu’s initiative, particularly in educating Nigerian youth about the importance of historical memory and national reconciliation.