In his condolence remarks, Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo stated that Late Amechi’s death marked the end of an era. He acknowledged his commitment to Igbo culture and mentioned that he lived and died as a great Christian.
While condemning the resurgence of idolatry in the SouthEast, he pointed out that it is not an Igbo culture.
He praised the Late Amechi for instilling the authenticity of African culture, which began with his name.
The only thing forbidden by the church, according to Governor Soludo, is a name that is offensive to the Christian faith. All of the Late Amechi’s children were christened with Christian igbo names.
Soludo expressed gratitude to the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Chris Ngige, in his second footnote. He urged the Minister to convey to the President the agony that the people face on a daily basis as a result of the Naira’s design.
Governor Soludo emphasized that since the Supreme Court has declared that the old and new naira notes should remain legal tender until judgment is rendered, he urged the President to follow the ruling of the Apex Law, which placed him in the position of President of Nigeria.
Recalling his visit to Ukpor, Nnewi South last week to inspect the ongoing Afor Nkpor to Ozubulu Road Construction, he stated that a promise made must be kept.
“When the Late Amechi died, I pressurized the Contractor to do all within their powers to complete that road in honor of a great statesman.
“I pray for his soul’s repose, that he may rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord,” Soludo prayed.
Earlier, the Presiding Bishop, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese explained that the glorious passage of Late Chief Mbazulike Amechi glorious passage on November 1st 2022 was iconic because it was a day globally observed as All Saints Day.
According to him, the good Lord chose to call him home at such a special day, a divine indication of his eternal citizenship of Heaven.
He thanked Governor Soludo for his presence to express condolences to the late Chief Mbazulike Amechi’s in-laws, friends, and family. He also thanked him for the numerous road projects that are currently underway in the state, stating that the Governor had good intentions to take Anambra to the next level.
The Presiding Priest said he firmly believes that the Late Chief Mbazulike Amechi died and rose to life. He prayed that the Almighty father raise him on the last day to share the glory of the risen Christ.
On his part, the Former Governor Anambra State and Federal Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Chris Ngige representing the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari through his condolence letter commiserated with the family of Late Chief Mbazulike Amechi and the people of Anambra State.
He enjoined other Nigerians in mourning a great patriot and Nationalist who believes deeply in a united Nigeria.
BIOGRAPHY
Late Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor) was a foremost Statesman, Nationalist, Pre-independence Activist and one of Nigeria’s Founding Fathers that helped free the country from colonial rule.
He was Nigeria’s first Minister of Aviation, who was among the patriotic citizens that fostered the establishment of the renowned Nigeria Airways. At the time of his glorious passage, he was the only surviving Federal Minister from Nigeria’s first republic, the only surviving member of Nigeria’s inaugrated federal cabinet at independence, the only surviving National officer of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) that later became the National Council of Nigerian citizens, and the only surviving representative that the Eastern region sent to Nigeria at independence.
He was a close ally of Nigeria’s first president, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe GCFR, who always reposed trust and confidence in him and was the originator of his landmark nickname, “The Boy is Good”, which the Great Zik of Africa coined after Mbazulike Amechi saved his life by apprehending an assassin that attacked Zik with a dagger. He willingly took the bullet for his boss. Such was his commitment to his convictions.
At the special request of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe while he was the President of Nigeria, Late Chief Mbazulike Amechi and his wife famously hosted Dr. Nelson Mandela for six months in their private residence in Nigeria, when Dr. Mandela took refuge in Nigeria at the heat of the anti-apartheid struggle in 1961.
During these six months, they discussed various perspectives and strategies for activism and freedom fighting, before Dr. Mandela returned to South Africa for the decisive battle with the apartheid regime.
The Governor of Ebonyi State Represented by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, Nigeria’s First Female Governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba, His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matter, Alex Obiogbolu, The Chief Protocol/Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Nwoye Chinedu Glamour, Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, Chairman National Planning Committee for the Funeral, Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu amongst others attended the funeral mass.
