Jonathan, Buhari, Atiku, Others Mourn Azikiwe’s Passage

Onyebuchi Ezigbo President Goodluck Jonathan, president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano yesterday poured glowing tributes on the late Ambassador Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe, the eldest son of late Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Azikiwe died on Sunday at the age of 75.

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.

On his part, Buhari described the death of Azikiwe as a sad development and an exit of a great Nigerian who was brought up in the best tradition of national unity and genuine African values.

In a condolence message made available to the media in Abuja, the president-elect said: “With the demise of Chukwuma Azikiwe, a gentleman has left a turbulent world. Ambassador Azikiwe was a thorough –bred Nigerian citizen who chose a private life after a distinguished diplomatic career in Nigeria’s Foreign Service. There is no doubt that 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 Azikiwe as the Owelle of Onitsha.”

The president-elect said with the demise of the Owelle, he has lost a friend who cared for him and often found the time to visit at home in Kaduna.

While condoling with the Azikiwe family, 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.

Also, Atiku expressed shock at the death of Chukwuma Azikiwe.

Atiku said in a press statement issued by his media office in Abuja that “Chukwuma Bamidele 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 background and supported his pursuit of a career in Nigeria’s foreign service.”

The Turaki Adamawa noted 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 God to grant his soul eternal rest.

Also, Obiano condoled the Azikiwe family and Obi of Onitsha on the death of ChukwumaAzikiwe.

Obiano in the condolence message stated that he was shocked when he got the news of the demise of Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe, a 1964 Harvard Business graduate whom he described as a political leader in his own right.

Recalling how the deceased joined the Anambra State governorship race in 1991 when he aspired for governorship nomination on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), Obiano said the aspiration was in pursuit of selfless leadership to serve the people.

“It is not how long one lived, but how well. What is important is the courage we bring to bear on life. It is neither easytocomeoutfrom the shadows of a great Patriarch, nor for one to succeed in all one’s endeavours. For me, it was enough that the late Chukwuma espoused his own vision of leadership and offered himself for service to the state,” Obiano noted in a statement.

The governor paid tribute to the late Azikiwe’s passion for the traditions and culture of his people which probably informed his selection into the Onitsha royal cabinet.