President Goodluck Jonathan, President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and former Nigeria Vice President Atiku Abubakar have paid glowing tributes to the eldest son of late Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in the person of Chief Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe who died yesterday.
In a condolence message to the family of late Dr. Azikiwe and government and people of Anambra State, President Jonathan said that the late Azikiwe, who was also the Owelle Onitsha, lived a fulfilled life by sustaining the humanitarian and leadership legacies of his father as a mobiliser, leader, philanthropist and a highly respected voice in his community.
The President prayed to God to grant the soul of the deceased peaceful rest, and comfort the family he left behind.
The President-elect, General Buhari also in a condolence message described the death of Ambassador Chukwuma Azikiwe as a sad development and that it was an exit of a great Nigerian who was brought up in the best tradition of national unity and genuine African values.
Buhari said that with the demise of Chukwuma Azikiwe, “a gentleman has left a turbulent world.”
He said that Ambassador Azikiwe was a thorough –bred Nigerian citizen who chose a private life after a distinguished diplomatic career in Nigeria’s Foreign Service. According to the President-elect, it was Ambassador Azikiwe’s humane and refined qualities that made it possible for him to step into “the big traditional shoes of his great father – Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as the Owelle of Onitsha.”
He noted that with the demise of the Owelle, he had lost a friend who cared for him and often found the time to visit him in Kaduna.
While condoling with the Azikiwe Family, General Buhari urged the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nna’meka Ugochukwu Achebe and the entire people of Onitsha Royal Kingdom to take heart and bear the loss with fortitude.
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku expressed shock at the death of Ambassador Chukwuma Azikiwe
Atiku said that Chukwuma Azikiwe epitomised the very best of the late Zik’s zeal and passion for a united Nigeria.
“He gave him a Yoruba name despite being of Igbo bacground and supported his pursuit of a career in Nigeria’s Foreign Service.”
Atiku who is Turaki Adamawa said that Ambassador Azikiwe belonged to the vanishing tribe of Nigeria’s core diplomats who steered the ship of Nigeria’s foreign policy during the difficult times of Nigeria as a frontline state struggling for the decolonisation of the African continent.
The former Vice President condoled the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nna’meka Achebe and the entire Onitsha people on the sad exit of the Owelle and prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest.
[myad]
