He was a renowned nationalist, an active and staunch voice in the Zikist Movement as well as an accomplished elder statesman
By Okechukwu Obeta
365Daily – Governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed sadness over the demise of elder statesman and Nigeria’s First Republic Aviation Minister, Dara Mbazulike Amechi, at 93 years.
Dara Mbazulike Amechi died at the early hours of today, November 1, 2022.
Other prominent Anambra indigenes who have expressed their deep grief over the passage of the sage include, Senator Ben Obi, chairman of the 2023 presidential campaign council of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar, his running-mate, Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; director of operations, Professor Obiora Okonkwo; Iyom Josephine Anenih and Chief Dan Ulasi.
Governor Soludo described the late Mbazulike Amechi as an outstanding patriot and nationalist who served the nation diligently.
According to the Governor, the late elder statesman lived an impactful and exemplary life worthy of commendation
“He was a renowned nationalist, an active and staunch voice in the Zikist Movement as well as an accomplished elder statesman”. Governor Soludo recalled.
The Governor further stated that the death of Mbazulike Amechi was not just a loss to his community, Ukpor, in Nnewi South Local Government Area and to Anambra state but also a monumental loss to Ndigbo and the Nigerian Nation.
Also, Ben Obi, Okonkwo, Anenih and Ulasi who expressed their grief after a minute silence observed at the inauguration ceremony of Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council in Anambra state in Awka today, emphasised the struggle and contributions the late First Republic Aviation Minister made for Nigeria’s development and unity.
Ben Obi emphasised that PDP stakeholders in Anambra state should continue the struggle for riding the nation of its current multiple challenges of hunger, insecurity, and disunity by working hard to ensure that Atiku and Okowa win the coming presidential election.
Ben Obi assured that Atiku is committed to restructuring the country to guarantee national integration, justice and development.
Okonkwo in his own speech stated that the Atiku/Okowa Presidency guarantees that surest chance for the country’s president of Igbo extraction, and, advised the people of the South East to vote for Atiku enmass.
Dan Ulasi and Iyom Anenih eulogised the nationalist dispositions of the late Dara Amaechi and urged the people of Anambra state to sustain his contributions towards Nigeria unity by supporting Atiku presidential bid.
Iyom Anenih lamented that President Muhammadu Buhari could not grant the late sage his last wish to usher in natural peace by releasing detained Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, leader, Nnamdi Kanu who is standing trial bothering on terrorism.