On November 6, 2003, Major General Philip Effiong, the man who ended the Nigerian Civil War died in Aba, Abia State at the age of 77.
Effiong was the first Vice President of the defunct Republic of Biafra and its second and last President.
He took over leadership of Biafra on January 8, 1970, after the Head of State, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, fled the country.
Four days later, on January 12, 1970, Effiong announced the surrender of Biafra, bringing the 30-month civil war to an end.
He was born on November 18, 1925, in Ibiono Ibom, in present-day Akwa Ibom State. He joined the Nigerian Armed Forces on July 28, 1945.
During the war, he served as Chief of General Staff of Biafra under Ojukwu before assuming leadership.
On January 15, 1970, at Dodan Barracks, Lagos, in the presence of the then Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Effiong formally announced the end of the Biafran conflict.
He lived a quiet life after the war in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, where he remained until his death.
