Relics of the Biafran/Nigerian War: The Engineering Wonders of Colonel Ejike Obumneme Aghanya (Rtd) and the Research and Production (RAP) Group
Conference: ISA 22nd Annual International Conference (2025)
Presenter(s): Ikenna Obumneme Aghanya
Tags: 2025 Biafran-Nigerian War Federal Polytechnic Oko Ikenna Obumneme Aghanya
Abstract
My late father, Col. Ejike Obumneme Aghanya (Rtd) was the commander of the Research and Production (RAP) group, during the thirty months Biafran war. As a trained Engineer and a military officer, himself and some notable Igbo scientists/engineers like Engineer Seth Nwangwu, Dr. Ogbuehi, Engineer Willy Achukwu, Engineer Roy Umenyi, Prof. Gordian Ezekwe, Dr. Felix Oragwu, and many others were able to pull-out some amazing engineering wonders. The impact these notable Igbo men contributed in the survival and sustenance of the Biafran cause for thirty long months, is definitely worthy of emulation. This paper looks at the technological achievements made by the Research and Production group, headed by the Col. Ejike Aghanya (Rtd). It reaffirms the need for Igbos to take the positives from the Biafran war and look at ways to replicate those achievements made by the RAP group, even with the international blockade they faced at that time. This paper also looks at the various units of the RAP Group, the people behind these units, the reasons for setting-up these units and their various achievements. This paper is meant to inspire us as a people, so that we can look within, work around our challenges, create opportunities that would enable the Igbo people strategize ways in improving our human capita development. I am able to write this paper and to give the exact account of what transpired in RAP Group, because detailed information was gotten from the “horse’s mouth”, my father, Col. Ejike Obumneme Aghanya.
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