Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo says the future of Ndị Igbo and Nigeria lies in espousing and re-living the virtues and ideals of the past.
The Governor stated this during the Anambra State Day of Tribute, held at the International Convention Center in Awka in honour of Nigeria’s first Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, Dara Akunwafor (The Boy Is Good)
According to the Governor, most of the founding fathers of Nigeria valued service above self.
Governor Soludo who described Anambra as the birthplace of giants, recalled that much of the development in the SouthEast region was made possible with taxes paid by peasant farmers, which was largely used to build the region.
“When I ponder on the lives of our founding fathers of the first generation; they were patriotic, nationalists, and valued service above self,” Governor Soludo emphasized.
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“M.I. Okpara, the Premier of the Eastern Region used taxes paid by peasant farmers to construct the modern cities of Onitsha, Enugu, Port-Harcourt, Aba, and Umuahia, all of which had adequate supply of pipe-borne water, clean streets, electricity, and pedestrian walkways.
The Governor noted that it was a special event to mourn Nigeria’s foremost patriot, statesman, one of Anambra’s greatest to the world and one of the men who laid the foundation of the Country called Nigeria.
Governor Soludo further stressed that the future of the Country lies in Pan-Africanism and a restructured Nigeria, describing himself as a neo-zikist in line with the zikist movement which Dara Akunwafor lived and died for.
“Anambra laments on a day when the world celebrates love. Late Mbazulike Amechi joined the zikist movement as a student and dedicated the majority of his life to the love of Nigeria. We are mourning him in his home state today.
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“He spent his entire life in Anambra; didn’t reside in Lagos or Abuja. His home state today is hosting the national tribute. He spent his life mentoring and assisting others in their growth. “Anambra mourns but also rejoices in the memory of a glorious life,” Governor Soludo said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Distinguished Sen Ndi-Obi and others who have come to celebrate one of the finest souls to pass through Nigeria,” he said.
The Governor urged Nigerians to spend their time honoring heroes while they are still alive.
Earlier, Chairman of the State Day of Tribute, Chief Ben Ndi-Obi, extolled Governor Soludo and urged the people to support his efforts in taking the state to the next level and described the late Chief Amechi as a great man whose loyalty to Africa’s great Zik was unrivaled.
Iyom Josephine Anenih, former Minister and Woman of leader PDP, in her tribute described Mbazulike Amechi as a true patriot and nationalist whose legacies will forever be cherished
Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, described the late Amaechi as one of the most important Nigerians who ever lived, pointing out that he spent much of his public life demonstrating passion for the nation’s development.
Nigeria’s first female Governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba, stated that the late Amaechi was the last of the zikists, saying that his legacies will live in perpetuity.