NAN-H-77
Ekwueme (Re-opened)
By Reporters
Enugu, Jan. 30, 2018 (NAN) Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, a former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called for the immortalization of the late former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
Nwodo also called for the institution of a professorial chair in tertiary institutions to study the life and times of the deceased.
The former governor of Enugu State told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu that the late sage had impacted much on up-and-coming politicians.
He said that Ekwueme left legacies of integrity and commitment to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and showed that politics could be played in the context of transparency.
“All he wanted was the good of the people not selfishness and greed. Our mentor has gone at a time we need his counsel most but we will continue to celebrate his legacies,” Nwodo said.
In a separate interview, The Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Archbishop, Episcopal Province, (Anglican Communion), Enugu, said that Nigerians would miss the forthrightness of the former vice president.
Chukwuma said that nothing was too much for the government to do in ensuring that the memories of the deceased lingered.
He urged politicians to emulate the lifestyle of the former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“He was never arrogant and pompous unlike other politicians. Our politicians should eschew bitterness and begin to work for the people.
“For the greater glory of God, the late Ekwueme was remorseful of whatever mistakes he made in life and that is why we are giving him a befitting burial as a church.
“We thank God for the legacy his father who was a catechist gave him,” Chukwuma said.
Similarly, the Chairman of Enugu Sports Club, Mr Ben Etiaba, described Ekwueme as a good lawyer, great architect and a man of many parts.
Etiaba said that Ekwueme was a committed member of the club, adding that an edifice would be named after him.
He said that the club had planned a befitting birthday for him before his death, adding: “we will still give him the honour posthumously.”
An associate of the deceased, Col. Ben Gbulie, said that Ekwueme was incorruptible and did not live the life of a normal politician.
Gbulie said it was sad that Nigerians only reckoned with the contributions of their patriots toward nation building when they were gone.
He said that the former vice president contributed much to the development of the country and appealed to politicians from the South-East to put their acts together.
A former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, described Ekwueme as a man full of wisdom, thoughtfulness and courage.
Nnaji said that late political icon was a special and unique person and quite different from others.
“Ekwueme had the unity, peace and progress of the nation at heart and exhibited it in all he did and said.
“He advocated and promoted the six geo-political zone structure we are enjoying today, which has formed the basis of the country’s development,” Nnaji said.
NAN further reports that the remains of the former vice president was flown into Enugu on Monday for the commencement of his burial rites.
It would be recalled that Ekwueme died on Nov. 19, 2017 at a London hospital after a brief illness. (NAN)
Reporters/MNA/OFN/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo