Okonjo-Iweala, Iwuanyawu, Ohaneze Ndigbo mourn Ojukwu

THE Minister of Fi nance, Dr NgoziOkonjo-Iweala, has described the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odume-gwu Ojukwu as an hero, father figure of the Igbo and a symbol of the Igbo struggle for a better Nigeria.Reacting to the death of the Igbo strongman, Okonjo-Iweala said Ojukwu was a man who had the courage of his convictions, adding that his example should serve as an inspiration for Nigerians.Okonjo-Iweala said what made Ojukwu exceptional was that after fighting a war in pursuit of his conviction, he returned to contribute to the Nigeria project.Also, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ndigbo, on Tuesday, said with the death of Ikemba Nnewi, an intergral part of Ndigbo has gone.In a statement, chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nwabueze Obi, told Ndigbo to use the demise of Ikemba to rejig the process of re-igniting the political, social and economical renaissance of the Igbo nation.He expressed deep concern for the death of the political pillar and icon of Ndigbo, saying that with the death of Ikemba, an integral part of Ndigbo was in coma.A member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, in a statement he issued in Owerri, said 'Ojukwu was a very reliable and steadfast leader, a man of extraordinary courage, endowed with sharp intellect and on outstanding oratory skills.'He said Ojukwu was a strong believer and advocate of one Nigeria, though he insisted on a Nigerian nation where men and women of all tribes, ethnic or creed would have equal access to opportunities.Meanwhile, the Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has left Owerri with other top members of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to London, to console with the bereaved family.In another development, the first Nigerian to bag Ph.D in Islamic Law in Medina University, Saudi-Arabia, Dr Sirajudeen Bilal Al-Asrau, on Monday, described the death of the former military governor of the Eastern Region, Chief Ojukwu, as a great loss to the country.The Islamic scholar, in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune, said the death of the statesman would remain relevance in the history of humanity, adding that his achievements and contributions to the country would linger on.
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