Tony Okafor, Awka
The remains of General Alexander Madiebo, the Aide-de-camp( ADC) to Nigeria’s first President, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, was buried at the weekend at his compound, Umuokpu Village, Awka, Anambra State with military honours.
Madiebo, who died in June at the aged 91, was an outstanding soldier, who served as ADC to Nigeria’s first Governor-General, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, and also the General Officer Commanding the defunct Republic of Biafra during the Nigeria/Biafran war of 1967 to 1970.
The crowd-pulling ceremony during his burial attracted family members, retired and serving military officers, other security agencies, clergymen, top government officials, Umuokpu Anglican community and other numerous other guests.
The late general, survived by his wife, Mrs Regina Madiebo and four children, was the author of the book “Nigeria Revolution and the Biafra War.”
In a sermon during his funeral service, the Vicar-in-charge of Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Umuokpu Awka, Venerable Christian Chinweuko, described the deceased as a man with many achievements and legacies, who began as a Christian and died same, advising his children to emulate their late father.
In a funeral oration at the graveside, retired military officers, who spoke through one of their own, retired General Arinze Ebenebe, recalled the exploits of the late General in the course of his military career and testified that he fought for humanity and survival of mankind.
Also speaking, a friend of the family, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Amuta, narrated how the deceased rehabilitated him during the war and asked everyone affected by his death to be consoled.
Speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Pascal Agbodike, condoled the family, charging them to keep the father’s legacies.
In their separate comments, some of his children, including Mrs. Maureen Nweke and Mr. Richard Madiebo, Managing Director, Anambra Internal Revenue Services, relived the fond memories of their late father, who they described as a very quiet and private person thanking everyone for their show of love.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the ceremony included the Secretary to Anambra State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Commissioner for Local Government and Town Union Matters, Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, the Managing Director, Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Chike Mmaduekwe and Chief Anayo Nebe among others.
