Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo; former Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; yesterday, mourned the passing of former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
The former governor’s death was announced in a statement by Chief Rob Nwakaire Ezeife, Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State, on behalf of the family, regretting that the sad event occurred at 6:00pm on Thursday, December 14, at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.
The National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, described the death of Ezeife as ‘shocking’, saying it has created a yawning gap in Igbo land.
Ogbonnia said: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has received with a deep shock the passing on of yet another Igbo Titan; a one man riot squad, an erudite scholar and astute bureaucrat, brave and thoughtful dogged fighter, an accomplished politician and former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife (Okwadike Igbo Ukwu)
“Okwadike 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 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.
He stated that the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, 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, among others. He qualified Ezeife as a quintessential Igbo in all ramifications. He added that Nigeria has lost a rare gem,” he said.
He commiserated with the immediate family of Okwadike, the Igbo Ukwu community and the good people of Anambra State.
Also, Emeritus President of Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike while extolling the qualities of Ezeife, regretted that he died without waiting to see leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, released from custody.
Similarly, Anambra State Governor, Soludo, in a statement, said Ezeife was the most illustrious son of the Ezeife dynasty of Igbo-Ukwu area of Anambra State.
“Fondly called ‘Okwadike’, he was elected governor of Anambra State on the platform of the Social Democratic Party between January 1992 and November 1993 during the aborted Third Republic.
“As a Harvard-trained economist, Ezeife once served with resolute dedication and integrity as a Federal Permanent Secretary, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in public service.
“As the first civilian Governor of Anambra State, he navigated the complexities of post-military rule with wisdom and foresight, laying the foundation for the vibrant state we know today.”
On his part, former Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, expressed shock over the sudden death of Ezeife, describing it as the great fall of an ‘Iroko’ tree in Igbo land and Nigeria.
