BUHARI, OTHERS PAY LAST RESPECT AS EX AVIATION MINISTER LAID TO REST
REPORTER: BEN ILECHUKWU
President Muhammadu Buhari has again extolled the firm belief of the first Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, in the unity of the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari stated this in a letter delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, during the the burial mass of the late legend in his country house Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In the letter addressed to the family of Amaechi and the people of Anambra State in general, President Buhari said Chief Amaechi was known for his honesty, and wisdom and would always be remembered for his selfless service to his fatherland.
For his part, the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Ngige, lauded the late Aviation Minister for assisting him through his turbulent times as Governor of the state, stressing that he had done his bit in laying a foundation for a new Anambra State.
The State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, while condoling with the family, reiterated that the death of Chief Amaechi was a big loss to Anambra, Nigeria and Africa in general, describing it as the end of an era.
The Governor used the occasion to appeal to the Federal Government to allow the old and new naira notes to run concurrently as legal tender to ameliorate the untold hardships Nigerians had been going through.
Earlier in a homily, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, the Most Reverend Benson Okoye, remarked that the death of the elder statesman was divine.
He recalled that he was called home on a special All Saints day.
The Bishop enjoined the people to live lives worthy of emulation while their earthly sojourn lasts even as he prayed for the peaceful repose of Chief Amechi.
Chief Mbazulike Amechi, popularly called “Dara Akunwafor” and “the boy is Good” was a foremost stateman, nationalist, pre-Independence activist and one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, who fought to free Nigeria from colonial rule.
At the time of his glorious passage, he was the only surviving federal Minister of the first republic.
Radio Nigeria observed that dignitaries from all walks of life graced the occasion.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
