Nigerian WWII Veteran Honoured in Moscow as World Marks 81st Anniversary of Victory Over Fascism

As nations across the globe commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of the Second World War, renewed attention has been drawn to the remarkable contribution of African soldiers who fought during the global conflict, including a Nigerian veteran whose legacy is now preserved in Russia.

The story of Mr. Sunday Bekwele Chukwu, an Ikwerre man from Rivers State, has resurfaced as part of ongoing international remembrance activities marking the sacrifices made during World War II.

Born in 1917 in Rumuyeperikom community in present-day Rivers State, Nigeria, Bekwele Chukwu served during the Burma Campaign, one of the fiercest theatres of World War II where Allied Forces battled Japanese troops across difficult terrains in Southeast Asia.

Historical records show that thousands of African soldiers from British colonies, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda, were enlisted into the Allied war effort during World War II. Many served under the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF), participating in campaigns in East Africa, North Africa and Asia.

The Burma Campaign, fought between 1942 and 1945, was regarded as one of the most difficult operations of the war due to dense jungles, tropical diseases and harsh weather conditions.

Nigerian soldiers played strategic roles in supply operations, combat missions and medical support services that contributed to the eventual defeat of Japanese forces.

Bekwele Chukwu reportedly served as a military doctor during the campaign, offering medical support to troops on the frontlines. His bravery and service have now earned him recognition beyond Nigeria’s borders.

According to information released as part of the “Africans in Russia” historical remembrance project, the story and photographs of the late Nigerian veteran are currently displayed at the Victory Museum in Moscow, Russia, where memories of World War II heroes are preserved.

The project seeks to highlight the contributions of Africans to global history and wartime resistance against fascism.

Officials involved in the project noted that Russia continues to preserve the memory of African veterans who participated in the war, describing Bekwele Chukwu as one of the Nigerians whose sacrifices deserve wider recognition.

Beyond his military service, Bekwele Chukwu was also a respected traditional title holder and community figure. He fathered 21 children and was said to have nearly 100 grandchildren before his death in 2011.

World War II, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, remains the deadliest conflict in human history, claiming an estimated 70 to 85 million lives globally. The war involved major powers divided into the Allied Forces led by Britain, the Soviet Union, the United States and China and the Axis Powers, spearheaded by Germany, Italy and Japan.

The anniversary celebrations this year have reignited conversations around the often overlooked contributions of African soldiers whose roles in the war received little international attention for decades.

Historians say more than one million African troops and support personnel participated in the war effort under colonial administrations, with many returning home after the war to become part of the nationalist movements that later pushed for African independence.

The remembrance of veterans like Sunday Bekwele Chukwu is therefore seen not only as a tribute to wartime courage, but also as recognition of Africa’s place in global history.