~ As Soludo, Obi, Nwodo, others eulogize him
By Our Reporter
Late former Governor of Anambra state, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has been proclaimed “hero of Ndigbo by the apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo
Ezeife, one time Federal Permanent Secretary , who died few months ago, will be buried (Saturday) in his Igboukwu country home, Aguata local government area of Anambra state
Ohanaeze Ndigbo President general worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, announced it Friday at the International Convention Center ICC, in Awka, Anambra state
It was during the state commendation service of the late Octogenarian, led by the state Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
Ezeife, who ruled Anambra state in 1992, was honoured Friday by the present and past Governors of the state
Though, he died an old man, the commendation service evoked emotions from Soludo, former Governor of Enugu state, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Ezeife’s daughter, Mrs Ogechukwu Ugorji and Presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP Mr Peter Obi
Addressing the mammoth crowd at the ICC, Iwuanyanwu, who described Ezeife as a great Nigerian, said that Ohanaeze had resolved to award him the “hero of Igbo”
He said anyone that served Igbo land very well would automatically, be the property of Igboland, while commending Soludo for always supporting Ohanaeze.
“Today, Ohanaeze proclaim Ezeife,” hero of Igboland’ ” Iwuanyanwu said
For Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, who was the chairman of the burial committee, “we decided to give him extraordinary burial because of what he stood for and to encourage other leaders in Igboland to do like him”
Ezeife’s daughter, Mrs Ogechukwu Ugorji, in an emotion laden voice, said, “our father was the voice of Igbo.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, failed to hold back tears, describing the late elder statesman as his mentor.
He further, insisted that Ezeife would be buried according to the Anambra burial law ,adding that after the commendation Friday, the burial would terminate on Saturday, saying that he left a legacy that would be difficult to match.
It is very emotional after almost two years, ” we’ve buried two former Governors. Ezeife was indeed, a true Nigerian
“He lived for many causes that will help us build a better society” Soludo said
Presidential candidate of LP, Peter Obi, said Ezeife lived for justice, a fair Nigerian and a Nigerian that lived for all.
In her eulogy, first female Governor in Nigeria, Dame Virgy Etiaba, who first, thanked Soludo for bringing out money for such state burial for Ezeife, adding that some other persons would not have provided such support.
The crowd was in frenzy because they knew the reference point.
However, she said Ezeife loved everyone, an activist that had listening ear, adding that Okwadike signified a lot of things, noting that he fought for Igboland and made friends through out the country.
