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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Founder, Gregory University Uturu, Abia State, Professor Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe, is dead.
A statement from the Royal family of Eze Cyril Ibe, Okwelube I of Amaokwe Achara Autonomous Community, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, which announced the passing of Prof Ibe, described him as the family’s patriarch, and an exceptional man.
The statement said Prof Ibe passed away following a series of health challenges, which he faced with remarkable courage and strength.
“A distinguished academic, administrator, philanthropist, statesman, entrepreneur, and educationist, Prof. Ibe dedicated his life to expanding access to education, uplifting the less privileged, and serving humanity.
“Through Gregory University Uturu, Skill ‘G’ Ltd., Innov8 Hub, and numerous other initiatives, his generosity, vision, and commitment to the progress of his people touched thousands of lives. His contributions and legacy will continue to make a lasting impact.
In 2022, Prof Ibe left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to pick the ticket of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to contest for the 2023 governorship.
Asked then why he left the PDP, Prof Ibe said, “I aspired to be the governor of Abia State in 2014 and the governor then asked me to hold on for the sake of the Abia zoning formula, which favoured the Ngwa community.
“I had earlier written to the governor as well as the party. It was documented that by 2023, I would be out again as the adopted candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) based on what was agreed. I came out and, unfortunately, the people in power decided to make a change on the Abia Charter of Equity, a charter written and signed by our forefathers, elders, and stakeholders. It became a one-man affair.
“I decided to return to the All Progressives Grand alliance (APGA), a party of principle. I decided to come to APGA to make sure that our people speak with one voice. I am happy that I came in to provide all my ability, all that I have been by way of experience and service to the people; I want to make sure that Abia and Ndi Igbo become properly integrated into the Nigerian experiment. That is a lot of challenge ahead for me”.
It was during the electioneering he took ill. The family said he was much more than an accomplished man. He was a loving father, a cherished brother, a devoted grandfather, and a pillar of strength to them all.
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The family said he was survived by six children and seven grandchildren, and that funeral arrangements will be announced to the public in due course.
Meanwhile, Abians have reacted over the death of the founder of Gregory University Uturu (GUU), and former Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof Gregory Ibe, whose demise was announced yesterday.
The Abia State governorship candidate of the Action People’s Party (APP), General Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma (retd), described Prof Ibe’s death as a great loss to Abia State.
General Ijioma said Prof Ibe was a good man who, through his investment in education, had helped many youths to acquire knowledge and become useful to society.
He said Prof Ibe had the ambition of becoming the governor of Abia State, but regretted that death had ended that dream. The APP governorship candidate said the Chancellor of GUU will be greatly missed and prayed to God to grant him eternal rest.
The Labour Party (LP) in Abia said Prof Ibe was one of the greatest leaders of the state.
The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Emenike Iroegbu, who spoke on behalf of the state chairman, described Prof Ibe as a great investor in the education sector, who touched the lives of many with his philanthropy.
“We, as a party, are really worried over his death and pained that he died when his services to Abia State and the nation are needed”.
In his own reaction, Dr. Charles Chinekezi, Chairman of CLO in Abia State, said with Prof Ibe’s death, the Igbo have lost another young man who had the progress of the Igbo nation at heart.
“He had an ambition of becoming the governor of Abia State and we were all looking forward to seeing such an educated man becoming the Governor of Abia, but death has cut that short”.
Chinekezi prayed to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
