An elder stateman, Chief Edwin Clark, has asked the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, to immortalise the late Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife by naming a major road or street in the state capital after him.
He also commended the governor for giving a state funeral to honour the first executive governor of the state for promoting and showcasing excellence and his positive contributions to Anambra State, Nigeria, and the world at large.
Clark made the call while paying glowing tributes to the late Dr Ezeife, popularly called “Okwadike, during a commendation service held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Friday.
According to Chief Clark, Dr. Ezeife was one of the best citizens any country can produce.
“Ezeife plays a major role in the economic planning of Nigeria. He stood for certain ideas—ideas of unity and indivisibility of this country. He also ensured equity, fairness and justice, He also emphasised that Nigeria must be built in a way in which every child of Nigerian origin can move freely to any part of the country and live peacefully without fear. And these are the principles: “Okwadike stood for why was alive, he noted.
The Niger Delta leader was represented at the occasion by Amb. Godknows Igali, who also stands in for the Bayelsa State Governor, Diri, the Niger-Delta Forum, and the entire people of the South-South geopolitical zone.
Governor Soludo, in his speech, described the former Governor as a personal mentor who encouraged him all the while.
While describing him as a true Nigerian, Governor Soludo said that former Governor Ezeife taught him the principles to live and die for as Nigerians.
He said that he laid the foundation for law and order, which is why his burial is compliant with the state burial law, and that he lived the true essence of patriotism, which are legacies that propel him
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the Lawmaker representing Onitsha South two Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly under the Labour Party, Hon. Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, in his own tribute message also called for the immortalization of the late Igbo leader.
In attendance at the event were the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo; the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; the former governor of Anambra State, Senator Dr. Chris Ngige; Peter Obi; the vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Charles Esimone; and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa.
Others were the former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Simeon Okeke, Members of the Anambra State Executive Council, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, State Chairman of APGA, Barr. Ifeatu Obiokoye, National President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Barr. Titus Akpudo, members of the Ezeife family, traditional rulers, members of the academic community, and many others.
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