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The condolence register
The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has condoled the family of the late first President of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe on the death of the first son, Chief Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe in Onitsha.
Also, the chief executive of the Capital Oil Group and sports enthusiast, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah alongside other sympathizers, including a former Commissioner for Works in Anambra state, Mrs Chika Ibeneme, were at the Inosi-Onira, Onitsha presidential mansion of the Azikiwes to commiserate with the family.
Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe who took over his father traditional title of Owelle of Onitsha kingdom -one of the six highest such titles called Ndichie Ume (king makers and high palace chiefs)passed on Sunday after a brief illness at the nearby Boromeo hospital, aged 75.
He left behind his wife and Ikechukwu and Chinwe- his two children, who according to sources are resident overseas.
Obiano in a message com the Government House Awka, as he is still overseas on economic mission stated that he was shocked to hear of the passage of Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe. He also condoled the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe and the entire Onitsha traditional cabinet over the demise of the Owelle.
Recalling how the deceased joined the Anambra State governorship race in 1991 when he aspired for governorship nomination on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Obiano said that the aspiration was in pursuit of selfless leadership to serve the people.
‘It is not how long one lived, but how well. What is important is the courage we bring to bear on life. It is neither easy to come out from the shadows of a great Patriarch, nor for one to succeed in all one’s endeavours. For me, it was enough that the late Chukwuma espoused his own vision of leadership and offered himself for service to the state,’ Obiano noted in a statement.
The Governor paid tribute to the late Azikiwe’s passion for the traditions and culture of his people which probably informed his selection into the Onitsha royal cabinet. ‘In a sense then, he was a cultural ambassador of not just Onitsha but the Igbo race as a whole.’
Dr Ubah noted that it was shocking to hear of the demise of Azikiwe who he noted has remained an apostle of one anigeria and government of inclusion. While condoling the family and the state, he lamented that Anambra state has lost a son amongst sons, praying for the peaceful prose of his gentle soul.
Also, in a tribute the late Owelle, Chief Emma Okocha, a publisher and a long time friend of the late described as the “last of the Mohicans, a true son of the late African Avatar” adding that he indeed “inherited the Zik’s political brilliance, mastery of the Nigeria’s political landscape and always predicted her Actors”.
He regretted that the late Owelle contributed to the victory of the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded general elections but regretted that he did not live to witness the inauguration which is less than three weeks away.
