By Tony Adibe
As prominent Nigerians continue to react to the passage of the pioneer Aviation Minister of Nigeria, Chief Mbazulike-Amaechi, a former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim has disclosed that prior to his death, the nationalist never showed any signs to suggest that “the end was near the corner”.
In a one-page statement he signed and issued, former Governor Ohakim expressed shock when he received the news of Chief Amaechi’s demise. Chief Amaechi, who was popularly known as “The Boy Is Good” reportedly died on Tuesday at his country home in Ukpor, Nnewi, Anambra State.
Chief Ohakim also said that the best way to mourn the departed member of the defunct Zikist Movement – a radical youth wing of the NCNC- was to grant his last wish for a political resolution to the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu-Federal Government logjam.
Late Chief Mbazulike-Amaechi
The statement reads: “I received, with great shock, the news on the demise of elder statesman and nationalist, Pa Mbazulike Amaechi, Nigeria’s minister of aviation in the First Republic.”
“Although 93, Pa Amaechi did not manifest the type of frailty associated with his age and according to family source, he did not show any signs that the end was near the corner. Pa Amaechi rather exuded an uncommon vitality and was at the fore front of every debate on the building of a strong and virile Nigerian nation. He stood for justice and equity and fought for the welfare of Nigerians till the end.
“He advocated dialogue as the best means of overcoming our national challenges, including the intractable spate of insecurity in our dear country; and as particularly exemplified in his peaceful and mature approach to the resolution of the vexatious issue of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).”
“The nation will miss him but there can be no better way of mourning Pa Amaechi than to grant his last wish for a political resolution to the IPOB issue.”
“I join millions of other Nigerians to pray God Almighty to grant his family the strength to bear this great loss and to grant the soul of Pa Amaechi eternal rest. Signed: H.E. Ikedi Ohakim”
