From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye (Abuja), Okey Sampson (Umuahia) and Stanley Uzoaru (Owerri)
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has said that Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, a one-time governor of Anambra State and former presidential adviser, lived a life that was symbolic of his character as a responsible and respectable elder statesman.
Ezeife died at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, at the age of 85.
In statement on the passage of the former governor, Atiku recalled how Ezeife took a leading role in the vanguard of the struggle to restore democracy after “it was put in hiatus by the prolonged military rule.
“As a political leader, Ogwadike, as he is popularly known by his traditional title, exemplified the candour of a change agent who did his best to advance the good of the common man. As we continue to mourn his exit, his memory shall remind us of his legacies and shall be an inspiration to the contemporary generation of leaders in the country,” Atiku said.
Similarly, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, described the late Ezeife as a man of courage and strong conviction whose services to Ndi Igbo in particular and the Nigerian state in general would be greatly missed.
His word: “I’m saddened by the unfortunate news of the demise of our respected leader and statesman, His Excellency, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife (CON). The fact that Okwadike bowed out at a trying time in the history of Ndi Igbo in particular and Nigeria in general when his statesmanly guidance, support and stewardship were most needed makes it more painful and devastating.
“As a man of courage and strong conviction, he ensured that his voice was loudly heard at all times on subject matters that bothered on justice and good governance and stood firmly on the side of truth till the end.
“As difficult as it would be to fill the vacuum his death has created, I would urge all those who loved, cherished and supported him and his ideals while he lived, and who desire a better Igbo nation and Nigeria to draw inspiration from his exemplary conduct which helped immensely in deepening our democracy, strengthening the Rule of Law and opening the frontiers of opportunities associated with good governance.”
Also eulogising Ezeife, former Anambra State governor and two-time Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, in a condolence message by his Media Office, recalled with nostalgia his last contact with Chief Ezeife during the Ohaneze President-General Elders Advisory meeting in October at the Abuja residence of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, where the late Okwadike complained that he was sick and afflicted with a serious medical condition.
Ngige said he was heartbroken by Ezeife’s death, who he described as senior friend and mentor who discussed and courageously defended everything possible for the betterment of Ndigbo and Nigeria.
He said, “Okwadike was a man of many parts, who combined intellectualism with politics and activism in his quest for a more progressive Nigeria, anchored on equity, fairness and justice for all, irrespective of tribe and creed.
“Chief Ezeife was an erudite self-made intellectual, distinguished academic, thoroughbred politician, charismatic activist and a statesman per excellence. His demise is a great loss to the nation and Ndigbo in particular.”
Immensely saddened by the demise of Ezeife, former Imo State governor, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, said: “It is quite regrettable that he quit the stage at a time the entire nation needs him most. Okwadike, as he was more popularly known, served as governor of Anambra State during the same period as my late boss, Chief Evan Enwerem, who was governor of my home state, Imo. I can state without any fear of contradiction that their class of governors would have laid a solid foundation for the total transformation of our dear country had they been in office for a period even a little longer than was witnessed.
“Getting to the peak of his career in the nation’s civil service, Dr. Ezeife, along with a few others, strove to bequeath a public service that would be well equipped to face the challenges of the new millennium. Upon retiring from the service, he took to politics where, as a democratically elected civilian governor, he introduced reforms that drew great impetus from both his immense academic grounding and civil service exposure.
“More than three decades later, the challenges that confronted our country then still loom large; the result being that people like Dr. Ezeife, even at the twilight of life, was compelled to remain an activist till death, in pursuit of a better Nigeria.
We owe him no greater honour than to uphold those ideals for which he lived.”
National President, Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU), Chief Sir Emeka Diwe, in a condolence message, extolled the lofty contributions of the former governor in the pursuit of justice, rule of law, defence and survival of democracy in Nigeria.
The group explained that Ezeife sacrificed a lot for the economic and political development of the Igbo nation. It urged the Federal Government to name a national institution in his honour in recognition of his heroic role in the defense of our democracy while the South East Governors Forum should honour him by naming a regional asset of the zone after the renowned icon.
On its part, the leadership of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) expressed grief at the death of Ezeife. In a statement signed by Edwin Clark, leader of the forum, Ayo Adebanjo – Leader, Afenifere, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, – President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Pogu Bitrus – President, Middle Belt Forum and Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, – National Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the elders noted that ‘Okwadike’ as he was fondly called was a founding and staunch member of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum; a strong promoter, and an unshaken believer in the unity and progress of Nigeria, based on equity, fairness, and justice.
The statement read in part: “We recall that he actively participated in the last meeting of the Forum (SMBLF) in Abuja on Thursday 26th October 2023, where far-reaching decisions were made in the overall interest of the country.”
SMBLF further noted that the Harvard-trained economist was a prominent atatesman, a politician of exceptional brilliance, high repute, and integrity.
“He was a man of firm resolve and typical modesty. Ezeife loved his people and Nigeria with passion.
“We will sorely miss his inspiring personality, brilliant ideas, vibrant contributions, and steadfast solidarity in our pursuit of an egalitarian Nigerian State that would be fair and just to all irrespective of tribe, religion, or political inclination.
Nigerian business leader and 2021 Anambra Gubernatorial Candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, in his condolence message described the late Ezeife as “a father and great icon” noting that his transition “leaves an irreplaceable void not only in our lives but in the annals of Nigerian history.”
“Dr. Ezeife, a man of immense stature and wisdom, was more than just a political leader or a public figure to me; he was a father. His generosity knew no bounds, his kindness touched innumerable lives, and his wise counsel guided many through turbulent times,” Ozigbo said.
In the same vein, President-General of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Goodluck Ibem, described Ezeife death as a colossal loss to Ndigbo, adding: “Ezeife had in the past made sacrifices for the development and progress of Igboland. He was a great man of honour and integrity. We the entire Igbo Youths mourn this man great of substance and honour as he goes home to meet his maker. Ndigbo will greatly miss Dr Ezeife who has taken the final bow to meet his maker.”