Politics
OHANAEZE Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed sadness over the death of former Governor of Anambra, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the Okwadike of Igbo-Ukwu.
This is contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Alex Ogbonnia, on Friday in Enugu.
Ogbonnia said the group received with deep shock “the passing of yet another Igbo Titan, a one man riot squad, an erudite scholar, astute bureaucrat, a brave and thoughtful dogged fighter and an accomplished politician.”
He said Ezeife was a consistent purveyor of morals, justice and equity and a remarkable advocate of progressivism in its purest tradition.
“When the Moshood Abiola mandate was truncated, Ezeife risked the military dungeon in the pursuit of justice.
“A detribalised patriot who warned that unless there is a re-federalisation of Nigeria and fundamental restructuring of the polity, Nigeria will continue to grope in the dark.
“Ezeife was an unwavering and steadfast personality. He was on the side of the masses, the vulnerable and the down trodden,” Ogbonnia said.
He said the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, could not withhold his emotions on hearing the passing of ‘Okwadike’.
He lamented that the Igbo had lost some of its distinguished sons in a very short space of time with the death of Prof. George Obiozor, Prof. Joe Irukwu, and Prof. Ben Nwabue,Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Dr Sylvanus Olisanye Ebigwei and now ,Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
The National Publicity Secretary described Ezeife as a quintessential Igbo in all ramifications ,adding that Nigeria had lost a rare gem.
“On behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and indeed all the sons and daughters of Igbo land, we send our condolences to the immediate family of Okwadike, the Igbo Ukwu community and the good people of Anambra.
“While we prepare for a befitting farewell to our illustrious son, we beseech the Almighty to grant the soul of Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife an eternal repose in His bosom,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chukwuemeka Ezeife, a former governor of Anambra State died at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, according to a statement issued by Rob Ezeife, on behalf of the family, on Friday.
The family said details of his burial arrangements will be announced in due.
Also, mourning the late sage is Goddy Uwazurike, president of the Credibility Group, who sadly recalled that on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 10 am, late Mbazulike Amaechi, Ezeife, Bishop Sunday Onuoha and himself “met the then President of Nigeria General Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock to persuade him to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to us unconditionally.”
According to Uwazuruike, Buhari “said he will not say no to us but he will give us an answer later. In November 2022, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi died without hearing from Buhari.
“Some hours ago, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife died on the eve of the Supreme Court Judgment on the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu case.
Indeed we have lost a great man, the cerebral scholar, the motivator.
“The first Governor of the current Anambra state, the Political Adviser to the President, the public leader and charisma personified!
Ndigbo have lost great men and women of inestimable value in rapid succession.”
Listing the great sons of Igbo who have died recently to include Guy Ikokwu, Prof George Obiozor, Prof Joe Irukwu, SAN;
Prof Ben Nwabueze, SAN; and
George Uwachue, SAN, Uwazuruike said:
“But we are reassured that the great ones did not walk alone! The great ones left solid footprints in the sand of time for us to follow. We shall keep the flag flying!!!
Fare thee well, Okwadike!” – (With reports from NAN)
A.
-December 15, 2023 @ 16:28 GMT|
Tags: Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Chief Mbazulike Amechi Dr Alex Ogbonnia Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife Dr Sylvanus Olisanye Ebigwei Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Prof. Ben Nwabue Prof. George Obiozor Prof. Joe Irukwu
