Ogene expressed grief over the death of former governor of Anambra State, Chukwumeka Ezeife.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, Afam Ogene, has expressed sadness over the death of former governor of Anambra State, Chukwumeka Ezeife, describing it as a colossal loss to Nigeria, the Igbo and all lovers of African culture and mutual respect and co-existence of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
Ogene, who is the leader of both Anambra State and Labour Party Caucuses in the 10th House of Representatives, made this tribute in a statement issued on Friday.
Ezeife, popularly known as Okwadike, according to a statement by his family, died on Thursday in an Abuja hospital.
Ogene said, “Our dear father, leader and voice of reason, Okwadike, was a man of noble character, honour, remarkable integrity and courage. He was a man who was never shy or afraid to air his views on national issues or contribute his voice to the fight for equity, fairness and justice.
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“Either as a civil servant, political leader, statesman or a family man, Chief Ezeife’s image remains as sparkling and untainted as his iconic and renowned matching white traditional apparels and his well-kept grey beards, which he adorned with dignity and grace throughout his lifetime.
“We will not forget his consistent voice in advocacy for mutual respect and coexistence of all ethnic groups in Nigeria, no matter how uncomfortable the issues were at every given time.
“Okwadike was not only a political and cultural servant leader, he unpretentiously led in many difficult battles from the front. He was a man in the true definition of the word. He was a thinker. An intellectual. And a leader of leaders. We will miss him. We will miss his unmistakable elegant fashion style. But we will miss more, his humanity and steadfastness in the pursuit of the good of the Igbo and equity and fairness for all Nigerians,” Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency, said.
Ezeife, a native of Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State, was a former federal permanent secretary, first executive governor of Anambra State, a former political adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, and a former presidential aspirant.