THISDAY

Buhari, Fayemi Mourn Ex-NADECO Chieftain, Arthur Nwankwo

- Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

President Muhammadu Buhari and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the weekend condoled with government and people of Anambra State over the demise of former Vice Chairman of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and prolific writer, Dr. Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo, saying posterity will always remember his labour and sacrifices.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari commiserat­ed with the family, friends, profession­al and political associates of the deceased.

According to Adesina, Buhari encouraged them to find solace in the contributi­ons the writer made to national and global developmen­t by consistent­ly pursuing and projecting values of peace, unity and love.

“President Buhari affirms that the late writer’s bridge-building efforts, like supporting the famous Handshake Across the Niger, and carefully picking the themes of his many publicatio­ns to reflect national unity, while advocating for a collective vision, had served the purpose.

“The President believes Dr. Nwankwo’s investment­s in humanity will endure, especially standing for democracy and developmen­t at great risks, and working hard to ensure that the pivotal institutio­ns are strengthen­ed and sustained.

“President Buhari prays that the almighty God will receive the soul of the departed statesman, and comfort his family,” the statement added.

On his part, Fayemi described the death of former Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Nwankwo, as a huge loss to the pro-democracy family and the country at large.

Fayemi in a condolence message, signed by his chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, described the late Nwankwo as one of the country’s foremost rights activists and a patriot who defied all odds in the battle against military dictatorsh­ip, which led to the enthroneme­nt of democracy in the country.

He described the late activist as a man of many parts- an intellectu­al, rights activist, prolific author, humanist and a pan-Nigeria leader who was ever at home with the ordinary folks.

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