Nigerians have been paying tribute to former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, who died at the age of 85 in a London clinic.
Ekwueme’s younger brother and traditional ruler of Oko, Igwe Laz Ekwueme said in a statement that the Second Republic vice-president of Nigeria died about 10p.m. on Sunday night.
Reacting to the sad development, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, described the death as a colossal loss to Igbo people and Nigeria.
Nwodo told newsmen in Awka that Ekwueme made significant contributions in his public service that guided the country well.
“I served as a minister during the time Ekwueme was vice-president of Nigeria and his contributions were outstanding,’’ he said.
Nwodo also noted Ekwueme’s contributions during the National Constitutional Conference that led to the creation of six geo-political zones in Nigeria.
He said Ekwueme was a good example of a patriotic and forthright Nigerian and an illustrious Igbo son, whose roles in the peace and stability of the country could not be questioned.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in an emotional message on Twitter mourned the passing of Mr. Ekwueme commending his dedication and service to the nation.
“Today, I join Ndigbo and the entire nation to mourn the passing of one of Nigeria’s most illustrious sons, H.E. Dr. Alex Ekwueme, our first elected Vice-President. As we mourn his death, we celebrate his dedication and service to the development of our country”, he said.
“I will always remember Dr. Alex Ekwueme for his exemplary courage in the face of overwhelming odds — when he stood up to past military regimes, and his dexterity in his personal pursuits as a successful architect, lawyer, businessman and philanthropist”, Mr. Saraki added.
The South-east Governors Forum has also mourned the death of Mr. Ekwueme describing it as a great loss to the Igbo nation and the entire country.
The Chairman of the Governor’s Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, described the death of Mr. Ekwueme as, ”the end of an era.”
Governor Umahi in statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, expressed shock over the death of Mr. Ekwueme. He described the loss as a great one to Ndigbo in particular and Nigeria in general.
He commiserated with the Government of Anambra State and entire Ekwueme family of Oko in Anambra State for the loss and prayed God to grant him eternal rest.
“The death of our father and leader, Dr. Ekwueme is so devastating especially now that his fatherly advice is needed most. He was a great Nigerian and great believer in the unity of the country. As his children, we have learnt a lot from his deep political sagacity.
“As the Vice President of Nigeria, Ekwueme was a great rallying factor of Igbo socio-political integration. He was a voice of reason and a man who toiled to place Ndigbo at the centre of mainstream politics. Indeed, we have lost a rare gem, a gentleman and a decent politician and academia”, the statement said.
The governor disclosed that the South-east zone through the governors would soon draw a programme on how to pay last respects to the fallen statesman.
In his reaction, a former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, said the death of Ekwueme was regrettable.
“Ekwueme, not minding his age is very useful to you at anytime you engage him on issues and his death is very regrettable at this time irrespective of his age,’’ he said.
Similarly, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, said Ekwueme showed good example of what an Igbo man should be.
“Ekwueme represented the Igbo people well in his public service, though his death is painful, we pray God to grant his soul eternal rest,’’ Uwazuruike said.
Igwe Ralp Ekpeh, the traditional ruler of Enugwu Ukwu in Anambra, described the death as a great loss to Anambra people, Ndigbo, Nigeria and Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.
Prof. Stella Okunna, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka described Ekwueme as one of the pillars of democracy in Nigeria.
Okunna, a former Commissioner for Information in Anambra, said the contributions of Ekwueme would be greatly missed at this time democratic governance in Nigeria was still evolving.
Ekwueme started primary school at St. John’s Anglican Central School, Ekwulobia, Anambra and later attended King’s College, Lagos.
He got Fulbright Scholarship in the U.S., being one of the first Nigerian to gain the award.
He attended University of Washington where he earned bachelor’s degree in Architecture and city planning.
He also obtained master’s degree in urban planning and degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from the University of London.
The Ide of Oko kingdom in Anambra, where his younger brother, Prof. Lazarus Ekwueme is the traditional ruler, participated in the National Constitutional Conference in Abuja, where he served on the Committee on Structure and Framework of the Constitution.
