Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has said that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is ensuring that all wounds of Nigeria’s past are healed completely. The Vice President stated this Thursday, when he led the Federal Government Delegation to the National Burial/Funeral Ceremonies of the Late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu, held at Enugu, Enugu State.
Sambo who expressed delight with the honour said “It is a sign that our President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is committed to ensuring that all the wounds of our past are healed completely, and that we do not ignore the lessons of the past as we strive to build a great nation that justifies the labour of our past heroes, Ojukwu inclusive.”
He described the Eze Igbo Gburugburu as a rare patriot and humanist who echoes the present day servant leader and whose eulogies go beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“Needless to add that there are men of history whose story cannot end so long as the earth remains, however long or variedly it may be told,” he said.
Speaking on Chief Okukwu’s contributions to the democratic development of Nigeria, VP Sambo maintained that “his contributions in our political sphere cannot be overlooked,” emphasising that “he had played a significant role in Nigeria’s democracy since 1999”.
In his remarks the Governor of Enugu State and the host of the event, Mr. Sullivan Chime, stated that the Late Ojukwu was one of those rare enigmas whose story of his life and times cannot expire, describing him as an iconic personage
He noted that the hosting of the event in the State was significant because Enugu was and is still the capital of Eastern Nigerian and was also the permanent abode of the late Ojukwu.
The occasion witnessed several tributes from notable Nigerians, who included, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Chairman South-Eastern Governors’ Forum, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
Others that spoke at even were, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Navy Commodore (rtd) Ebitu Ukiwe), Retired Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and Professor Wole Soyinka .
Highlights of the event were the laying of wreath by Vice President Sambo and Governor Sullivan of Enugu State, Special Choral Performance by the Laz Ekwueme Choral Ensemble.
Present at the occasion were the widow of Ojukwu, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, Governors of Abia, Ebonyi, Imo and Bauchi, the Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, National Assembly members, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, other royal fathers, former and serving Ministers, Senator Ben Obi, (Special Adviser to the President on Interparty Affairs), top government functionaries and other notable Nigerians.
