Paully Onah
With the cacophony of agitations over economic crisis rocking Nigeria, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State says the future of Igbo people and the nation lie in restructuring.
He made the call at the Anambra State Day of Tribute in honour of Nigeria’s first Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, Dara Akunwafor fondly called (The Boy Is Good) held at the International Convention Center Awka Anambra State Capital.
He noted that Nigeria will only get it right if they have a rethink on the values of our past heroes, assuring that most of the founding fathers of Nigeria valued service above self.
He described Anambra as the birth place of giants, recalling that much of the development in the South East region were made possible with taxes which was largely used to build the region, are paid by peasant farmers.
“When I ponder on the lives of our founding fathers of the first generation; they were patriotic, nationalists, and valued service above self”, according to Soludo.
The Governor also showered encomiums on the former minister over judicious application of taxes collected in the region to among other amenities construct the modern Cities of Onitsha, Enugu, Port-Harcourt, Aba, and Umuahia.
He noted 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.
“Late Dara Akunwafor was a true zikist unto death who believed in what Zik stood for- Nigeria’s unity.
“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 home state today is hosting the national tribute. He (Mbazuluike) spent his life mentoring and assisting others in their growth. “Anambra mourns but also rejoices in the memory of a glorious life”, Soludo said.
The Governor while condoling with the family of the departed statesman and other Nigerians who have come to celebrate one of the finest souls to pass through Nigeria, urged Nigerians to spend their time honoring heroes while they are still alive.
“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, remarking that Mbazulike also advocated for Nnamdi Kanu’s release before his death.
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