President Muhammadu Buhari has sent condolences to Nigerians, and to the Government and people of Anambra State, on the passing away of elder statesman and former Vice President, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme (GCON), on Sunday, November 19, 2017.
President Buhari commiserates with the entire Oko Kingdom, the Aguata Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Ekwueme family, over the loss of the family’s patriarch, whose regular counsels on national issues and mediations for peaceful co-existence would be sorely missed.
The President affirms that Dr Ekwueme’s unwavering commitment to the unity of Nigeria had been a major encouragement to many governments, recalling the personal sacrifices he made in helping to lay the foundation for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
President Buhari believes Dr Ekwueme worked assiduously to improve the livelihood of many poor and underprivileged people through the Alex Ekwueme Foundation, describing him as a man who served his country and humanity.
The President prays that the almighty God will receive the soul of the former Vice President, and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Also, President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has expressed grief over the demise of Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, also lauded the dedication and service of Ekwueme to the development of the country.
He described Ekwueme as a rare personality and an exceptional leader while praying to God for the repose of his soul, and the grace for his family and the nation to bear the loss.
Saraki said: “Today, I join the entire nation to mourn the passing of one of Nigeria’s most illustrious sons, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, our first elected Vice-President. As we mourn his death, we celebrate his dedication and service to the development of our country.
“We remember his unique and exemplary courage in the face of overwhelming odds – when he stood up to past military regimes in the struggle for restoration of democracy and his dexterity in his personal pursuits as a successful architect, lawyer, businessman and philanthropist.
“Dr. Ekwueme was a rare man and a great leader. He will be sorely missed. I pray for God’s strength for his family at this difficult time. May the Almighty God in his infinite wisdom and grace continue to guide the family and the nation that he has left behind,” he said.
On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has described the death of former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, as a monumental loss not just to Nigeria but the entire African continent.
In a statement personally signed by him, Hon. Dogara, who extolled the virtues of Dr. Ekwueme also stated that the former number two citizen was a distinguished elderstatesman, patriot, nationalist and a true son of Africa.
He however, lamented that the former Vice President’s demise came at a time Africa was in dire need of patriots and leaders like Dr. Ekwueme as it struggle with various internal conflicts and passes through challenging pace in its history.
“In times as these, elderly wisdom, experience and guidance of Dr. Ekwueme is needed by leaders at all levels so as to enable us surmount the daunting challenges confronting us as a country and as Africans.
“Dr. Ekwueme was a philanthropist, a famous professional architect, lawyer, brilliant politician and a man of peace whose efforts in building bridges of friendship amongst the various peoples of Nigeria is legendary.
“He played politics of ideas, principle and purpose and helped bring stability as Vice President in the Second Republic.
“The late elderstatesman was credited with the introduction of the famous proposals for a just and equitable power sharing in Nigeria based on the six geopolitical zones which ensures a fair, just equitable and stable polity.
“His contributions in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in 1999 when he mobilised the famous group of 34 eminent Nigerians who risked their lives and stood up against military dictatorship are still fresh in our minds.
“Indeed, he lived a life worthy of emulation and left an indelible mark in the annals of the history of Nigeria. He was truly a political collosus and giant whose shoes will be difficult to fill”.
“As it was said of all the saints and sages, we take solace in the fact that he has gone to rest having emptied himself while he walked the earth and served humanity even in his final hours”.
“I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the Ekwueme family, the government and people of Anambra state over this huge and irreparable loss. May His gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
In the same vein, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano has described the demise of the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme as a huge loss to Nigeria.
Reacting to the news of the death from his Aguleri country home where he had gone to mark his victory in the last Saturday’s election with his family, Governor Obiano said that he was yet to come to terms with the reality of Dr Ekwueme’s death as it was hard to contemplate the void that his passage has created.
“A great iroko has fallen. Nigeria has lost a statesman. Ndigbo have lost an illustrious son. Anambra has lost a father. But I have lost both a father and a friend. I have lost a mentor. This is a big loss on all fronts,” the Governor declared.
Narrating the direct influence the late statesman had had on him, Governor Obiano further said, “I was close to Dr Ekwueme. I sought his advice on so many things and he was always ready to help. He attended every major event we have held in the past three years in our efforts to make Anambra a better place. You always knew where you stood with him on any issue. His death is a big personal loss to me,” Governor Obiano explained.
The governor further lamented that the elder statesman passed away at a trying period in the life of the nation when his bridge-building talent was most needed.
Describing him as the “architect” of a balanced Nigeria, Governor Obiano observed that only few Nigerians living or dead could match Dr Ekwueme’s contributions to a fair and just federation in the nation’s seemingly endless search for peace and equity.
He pointed out that even in his last days, Dr Ekwueme fought gallantly to ensure that equity prevailed in his home state of Anambra, speaking out fearlessly in favour of sustaining the geopolitical balance that has entrenched peace in the state.
“Dr Ekwueme’s life is an open book that should inspire generations of Nigerians who need a beacon to guide them into evolving as true patriots who are willing to make sacrifices for the greatness of the country. He is an icon whose place is assured in our hearts in Anambra State,” Governor Obiano further observed.
According to him, Dr Ekwueme’s legacy would never die because whenever the story of modern Nigeria is told, Alex Ekwueme’s name would be remembered.
“I wish to express my deepest condolences to the illustrious Ekwueme family and the people of Oko, his home town and to Ndi Anambra in general. Ndonu Ndi Anambra. I pray that God Almighty will give us the fortitude to bear this grave loss,” Governor Obiano further added.
Editors, this is Asiwaju’s condolence message over the death of Dr. Ekwueme. Please help use generously.
In a related development, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has described former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who died Monday morning at a London hospital, as a true statesman whose selfless and meritorious service to God, country and humanity was felt by all.
In a message of condolence issued in Sokoto by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said the Ekwueme was a distinguished legal luminary, exemplary politician and a great community leader.
“For us in Sokoto, Dr. Ekwueme’s death comes with extra pain because he was Vice President to one of our distinguished sons, Turakin Sokoto, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
“The deceased proved himself an able lieutenant who together with other members of their team, gave their best for the unity, progress and stability of the Nigerian federation in the Second Republic and beyond.
“His death has therefore closed a chapter in the life of one Nigeria’s most respected voices who made his mark in both public and private sectors,” Tambuwal added.
Tambuwal further described Ekwueme as a truly passionate Nigerian whose invaluable contributions to issues of national interest will be forever appreciated.
While sending the commiserations of the people and government of Sokoto State to his immediate family, Tambuwal prayed God to grant the people of Anambra, South East and the entire federation the fortitude to bear the loss.
