The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is in deep mourning over the death of former Anambra State Governor, Chief Chikwuemeka Ezeife.
President General of the apex Igbo body, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu said it was a big blow to Ndigbo.
He described Ezeife as an Igbo titan; a one man riot squad, an erudite scholar and astute bureaucrat, brave and thoughtful dogged fighter, and an accomplished politician.
According to him, Okwadike as he was fondly called, was a consistent purveyor of morals, justice and equity.
He was 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 detribalized 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.
A statement by National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia said that the President General could not withhold his emotions on hearing the passing on of Okwadike.
He lamented that the Igbo have been afflicted with a chain of catastrophe within a very short space of time; Prof. George Obiozor, Prof. Joe Irukwu, Prof . Ben Nwabueze, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Dr. Sylvanus Olisanye Ebigwei and now Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, amongst others. He qualified Ezeife as a quintessential Igbo in all ramifications. He added that Nigeria has 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 State.
“While we prepare for a befitting farewell to our illustrious son, we beseech the Almighty to grant the soul of Drp Chukwuemeka Ezeife an eternal repose àà his bosom,” Ogbonnia stated.
Source: The Sun
