Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada
The Anglican Bishop of Awka diocese, Anambra State, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, on Thursday asked the Igbo to look for somebody who would take up the ‘father figure role’ of the late former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, in Igbo land.He said no amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth by the people of the South-East geopolitical zone about Ekwueme’s death would mitigate the loss they would suffer by his death.The bishop stated this in his homily during the commendation service organised by the Anambra State Government in honour of the former Vice-President at the Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital.Making reference from James 4:14 in the Holy Bible, Ibezim said the fear of death was the greatest fear of every mortal.He said, “As we’re mourning today; as we are celebrating today the life and times of this great statesman, the question is: ‘Who will replace him; his experience; wisdom, counsel and his father figure?’”The bishop charged the Igbo to be united and nationalistic, stressing that the late VP was a detribalised Nigerian.He added, “The greatest respect we can accord to the late elder statesman is to look for his replacement; emulate his ethics, humility and political pattern.“We are here not to mourn, but to celebrate a good life he spent. Nigeria has lost an elder statesman who will be difficult to replace. Only a fool doesn’t appreciate the mystery of life. Life is like vapour. Hold on to it while it last. Accord time to every necessity it deserves because time is very short. Every day is an opportunity to impact positively on the people.“We are in a journey in this life; we must be careful the way we lead our lives by being faithful stewards to glorify God. We need elders like Ekwueme who would mentor the younger ones; we need elders who will always stand by the truth.“If Ekwueme had not done well, we won’t be here today. We are today celebrating a distinguished father; Nigeria has lost an elder statesman; the Igbo have lost a father figure. Who will replace Ekwueme?,” the bishop stated.Speaking, the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, described Ekwueme’s death as a “ raw pain” that nothing could mitigate.Obiano said Ekwueme’s demise coming barely five months after he lost his (Obiano’s) mother was devastating, saying that the late statesman’s wise counsel had helped him in both his private and public life.He said, “We can all see how a great man’s life is like a mirror through which his people can see their struggles and aspirations as a society. Through the prism of Ide’s( Ekwueme’s) life, we can see rare glimpses of our individual and collective journeys through the tunnel of time to the present day.“It is a mark of the greatness of Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme that the ideals that he invested his youth and sagely old-age in have remained the dominant issues of our time and the resonant questions for the future generations.“Indeed, there can be no truer mark of greatness! And this is what makes it compelling for the Federal Government to immortalise this great man by naming a national monument after him.“This will not only strengthen the walls of national unity but also ensure that the sacrifices of this great patriot were not in vain.“On a personal level, Ide’s death has been a huge blow to me. Having lost my dear mother in June last year, nothing prepared me for the loss of someone who was like my own father five months later. So, Ekwueme’s death is a pain I feel in the deepest recesses of my soul where no soothing word can touch. It is a raw pain which only God can heal.“Ekwueme was my father, my mentor, my counsellor, my advocate, my motivator and the gentle voice of wisdom I could not ignore.“We had an amazing father-and-son relationship that made me look forward to his private visits and his attendance of almost all our major events. His sagely presence was a silent stabiliser in the turbulent sea that is the politics of our dear state.”A former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, in his tribute, described Ekwueme as Mr. Integrity.While calling on young politicians to emulate Ekwueme’s integrity and steadfastness, Nnamani condemned the way people without integrity and professions jumped into politics these days; thereby making politics look dirty and without honour.The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, in his own tribute, said Ekwueme excelled in everything in life except corruption.He said if Ekwueme had acceded to bribery and corruption, he would have at various times become governor of a state and or president of Nigeria.The President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, while describing Anambra State as an exemplary area that had produced great persons, said Ekwueme was a great blessing for the Igbo and Nigeria .Amongst those who attended the commendation service in Awka were, Maj. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu(retd.); widow of the late first President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Uche; a former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; a former Health minister, Tim Menakaya; and former governors of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, and Dame Virgy Etiaba.Others are ex-governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; Senator Ndi Obi, Dr. Alex Otti, Godwin Ezeemo, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and Dr. Dozie Ikedife.Ekwueme, who died on November 19,2017 at the age of 85, will be buried on Friday(today) at his hometown, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
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