Former Minister of Aviation and National Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Kema Chikwe has urged the Federal Government to immortalise First Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, by naming an agency or institution in the Aviation Ministry after him.

Chikwe described the late Chief Amaechi, who died last Monday, as a great patriot and nationalist who, along with others fought gallantly for Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule in the 1950s.

She recalled his exploits as a leader of the Zikist National Vanguard and in the Youth Wing of the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) during the independence struggle.

She further noted that Amaechi hosted the late South African leader, Nelson Mandela, for some months in his Lagos residence during the anti-apartheid struggle.

Chikwe recalled that as the pioneer Minister of Aviation, Amaechi introduced policies and programmes for the country’s aviation industry during the operations of the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) before the establishment of the Nigeria Airways.

“Indeed, the last of the Nigerian First Republic political titans has passed on. May his noble soul rest in peace,’’ she mourned.