Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has described the late Chief Mbazuluike as a true zikist who believed in what Zik stood for- Nigeria’s unity.
The governor stated this during the Anambra State Day of Tribute, held at the International Convention Center in Awka in honour of Nigeria’s first Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi; Dara Akunwafor (The Boy Is Good).
According to the governor, “most of the founding fathers of Nigeria valued service above self.”
Governor Soludo who described Anambra as the birthplace of giants, recalled that much of the development in the South East region were made possible with taxes paid by peasant farmers, which was largly used to build the region.
“When I ponder on the lives of our founding fathers of the first generation; they were patriotic, nationalists, and valued service above self,” Governor Soludo emphasized.
“M.I. Okpara, the Premier of the Eastern Region used taxes paid by peasant farmers to construct the modern cities of Onitsha, Enugu, Port-Harcourt, Aba, and Umuahia, all of which had adequate supply of pipe-borne water, clean streets, electricity, and pedestrian walkways.”
The governor noted that it was a special event to mourn Nigeria’s foremost patriot, statesman, one of Anambra’s greatest to the world and one of the men who laid the foundation of the country called Nigeria.
Governor Soludo further stressed that the future of the Country lies in Pan-Africanism and a restructured Nigeria, describing himself as a neo-zikist in line with the zikist movement which Dara Akunwafor lived and died for.
“Today is a special day. We have come to mourn Nigeria’s greatest patriot and statesman, who laid the groundwork for the country’s independence.
“Anambra laments on a day when the world celebrates love. Late Mbazulike Amechi joined the zikist movement as a student and dedicated the majority of his life to the love of Nigeria. We are mourning him in his home state today.
“He spent his entire life in Anambra; didn’t reside in Lagos or Abuja. His homestate today is hosting the national tribute. He spent his life mentoring and assisting others in their growth. “Anambra mourns but also rejoices in the memory of a glorious life,” Governor Soludo said.
The Governor condoled the family of late Chief Mbazulike Amechi.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Distinguished Senator Ndi-Obi and others who have come to celebrate one of the finest souls to pass through Nigeria,” he said.
The Governor urged Nigerians to spend their time honoring heroes while they are still alive.
Further recalling his encounter with the late Dara Mbazulike Amechi, he said: “Our paths did not cross much on a personal level. I first learned about him during a lecture; their tenacity and belief in Nigeria’s unity which Zik stood for, and they were willing to lay down their lives for what they believed in.
“He lived in Anambra, specifically Ukpor, and traveled from the state to Abuja or elsewhere whenever he needed to.”
The Governor stated that the late Mbazulike Amechi made a strong call for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release, and that call was justified.
“The issue of Nigeria will be at a table of dialogue with all stakeholders involved.
“When I visited Nnamdi Kanu in prison, I told him about how criminals posing as freedom fighters are kidnapping and killing people. He called it an abomination.
“My goal in calling for Nnamdi Kanu’s release is to separate the chaff from the substance. When he is released, we will know who the true agitation fighters and criminals are. This is why I’m pleading for his release, not because his release will automatically end insecurity. “I am confident he will be released,” Governor Soludo emphasized.
“The late Mbazulike Amaechi’s Zikism philosophy, particularly the Pan-Africanism ideology, sees the black race as an integral part of the world and the future of Ndigbo, which he believes is better in a united Nigeria.
“It is a future that will benefit Nigeria in the zikist Pan-African movement. The future of Ndigbo lies in the restructuring of Nigeria, which is one of the legacies left to us by late Mbazulike Amaechi.
“While we mourn, let us also celebrate but not forget that the greatest tribute is to keep the flames of his legacies, ideas, the values he espoused burning.
“Ndi Anambra and Ndi Igbo will continue to win if we stick to the values he lived and died for,” concluded the Governor.
