On Saturday, Ex-Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim expressed that the late ex-Anambra governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, passed away at a crucial moment for Nigeria. Ohakim highlighted that Ezeife’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s challenges turned him into an activist until his last days, tirelessly striving for a better Nigeria.
Ohakim remarked that even at 85 years old, the late former governor lived a relatively lengthy and meaningful life, dedicated to the service of his country.
A statement signed by Ohakim reads: “It is with immense sadness that I received the news of the death of elder statesman and iconic patriot, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
“Getting to the peak of his career in the nation’s civil service, Dr. Ezeife, along with a few others, strived to bequeath a public service that would be well-equipped to face the challenges of the new millennium. It is quite regrettable that he is quitting the stage at a time when the entire nation needs him most.
“Upon retiring from the service, he took to politics where, as a democratically elected civilian governor, he introduced reforms that drew great impetus from both his immense academic grounding and civil service exposure.
“Okwadike, as he was more popularly known, served as governor of Anambra state during the same period as my late boss, Chief Evan Enwerem, who was governor of my home state, Imo – just next to Ezeife’s Anambra.
“I can state without any fear of contradiction that their class of governors would have laid a solid foundation for the total transformation of our dear country had they been in office for a period even a little longer than was witnessed.
“More than three decades later, the challenges that confronted our country then still loom large; the result being that people like Dr. Ezeife, even at the twilight of life, was compelled to remain an activist till death, in pursuit of a better Nigeria.”
Ohakim said Nigerians owe Ezeife no greater honour than to uphold the ideals for which he lived.
