It was a gathering of who-is-who at the International
Conference Centre in Abuja, yesterday, when dignitaries across politics,
religion, ethnicity and race paid glowing tributes to late Vice
President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
Among those in attendance were Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, former
Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, Deputy Senate President,
Ike Ekweremadu, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nnia Nwodo, former
governors, ministers, political associates, friends, political
associates among others.
The event was put together by the National Burial Committee in charge of
Ekwueme’s burial. He died on November 19, 2017, in a London hospital.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha who
chairs the committee, said the government will foot the entire bill for
the burial which includes transporting the corpse from London to
Nigeria.
Osinbajo who came straight from Davos, Switzerland, where he represented
Nigeria at the World Economic Forum, in his remarks said, Ekwueme set
an excellent example of loyalty, integrity and commitment.
According to him, the late Vice President had only one vision, that Nigeria becomes a nation and not a country.
Ekwueme’s boss, former President Shehu Shagari, said he never knew
Ekwueme’s 2017 birthday will be his last as he was younger than him.
Represented by his son, Aminu, the former president said: “I’m not here
to give undeserved praises on Ekwueme; whatever I say here, I have told
him so in his life…I choose him because he came across as a man of
impeccable integrity and character. We worked harmoniously because we
had the same vision. He was a deputy I trusted and mischief makers
could not drive a wedge between us. His character remain impeccable.
Even in death his achievements cannot be diminished.”
Back home, Anambra State Government has announced a public holiday for
the burial of Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu,
announced this, yesterday and added that all markets and businesses
would be closed in Ekwueme’s honour. “Please note that Thursday,
February 1, is work-free-day in Anambra state. All markets and
businesses will be closed on that day to enable Ndi Anambra, friends,
associates and well wishers to pay our last respects to the late vice
president.
Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, expressed
the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to giving Ekwueme a
befitting burial.