UMAHI, OBIANO, OKO COMMUNITY MOURN EKWUEME

The former Vice president of Nigeria in the second Republic Dr. Alex Ekwueme is dead.

In a statement, his brother and traditional ruler of Oko in Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme indicates that Dr. Ekwueme died in a London Clinic yesterday.

Born on twenty first October 1932, Dr. Ekwueme celebrated his eighty fifth birthday last month.

He was Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 when Alhaji Shehu Shagari was President.

When Radio Nigeria visited the Enugu residence of the former Vice President, the wife and some other family members were seen in a mourning mood.

A man who introduced himself as the personal Assistant to the former vice president said none of the people in the compound would speak on the matter.

He however referred Radio Nigeria to the brother, Professor Laz Ekwueme for more information on the incident.

In the meantime, the entire Oko community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has been thrown into a mourning mood following the death of the first Vice President of Nigeria Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

When Radio Nigeria visited the country house of late Ekwueme at Ezioko Village, Oko, people were seen wearing a long face and discussing the life and times of the man they referred to as an icon.

However, some of the people refused to speak on tape as they awaited first hand information on the death from their traditional ruler, Professor Laz Ekwueme who is a younger brother of the late ex-Vice President.

Also, at the Federal Polytechnic Oko, some students and lecturers were also seen discussing the demise of the man who attracted their citadel of learning, which offered academic opportunities to many people.

A member of staff of the institution and close friend of the family, lady Edna Nwosu, described the late Ekwueme as a humble and humane leader whose attributes were unequaled.

The President of the students’ Union Government at the polytechnic, Mr. Akuche Izuchukwu and a mass communication student, miss precious Dim said they received with shock the demise of the former vice President of the country and called on the Federal Government to immortalise him by naming the institution after him.

Similarly, the Anambra State Government has condoled with the Ekwueme Family of Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area and Nigeria over the death of a former Vice President of the country, Doctor Alex Ekwueme.

Governor Willie Obiano who received the sad news of the transition of the 85 year old Nigerian leader, said his death was a huge loss to the country.

In a statement at his Aguleri country house, Governor Obiano explained that Dr. Ekwueme’s passage had created a huge vacuum that would be difficult to fill in the country.

In a statement, which was issued by his Senior Special Assistant, Media, Mr. James Eze, the Governor noted that the nation had lost an Iroko, illustrious son and father.

The Governor stated that the former vice president passed away at a period when his bridge building talent was needed most by the nation.

Governor Obiano further described the late Ekwueme as the architect of a balanced Nigeria, who contributed enormously to building a fair and just federation.

Also, the Chairman South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi has described the death of former Vice President of Nigeria,  Dr. Alex Ekwueme as the end of an era.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Uzor, the Governor expressed shock over the death of Dr. Ekwueme, describing it as a great loss to Ndigbo in particular and Nigeria in general.

He commiserated with the Government of Anambra State and entire Ekwueme family of Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area for the loss and prayed to God to grant him eternal rest.

The Governor further disclosed that the South East zone through the Governors would soon draw up a programme on how to pay last respect to the late political icon.

Dr. Alex Ekwueme, a former Vice President of the country from 1979 to 1983, had last month slumped in his Enugu residence, and was in an Enugu hospital before his demise at a London hospital where he was receiving medical attention.

FRANCIS UMEH, UCHE NDEKE, NDU NWANNAH & AMECHI ODO