--- Speaker says Ekwueme’s death monumental loss to Africa
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu
Dogara, has described the death of former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, as a
monumental loss not just to Nigeria but the entire African continent.
In a statement personally signed by him, Hon. Dogara, who
extolled the virtues of Dr. Ekwueme also stated that the former number two
citizen was a distinguished elderstatesman, patriot, nationalist and a true son
of Africa.
He however, lamented that the former Vice President’s demise
came at a time Africa was in dire need of patriots and leaders like Dr. Ekwueme
as it struggle with various internal conflicts and passes through challenging
pace in its history.
“In times as these, elderly wisdom, experience and guidance
of Dr. Ekwueme is needed by leaders at all levels so as to enable us surmount
the daunting challenges confronting us as a country and as Africans.
“Dr. Ekwueme was a philanthropist, a famous professional
architect, lawyer, brilliant politician and a man of peace whose efforts in
building bridges of friendship amongst the various peoples of Nigeria is
legendary.
“He played politics of ideas, principle and purpose and
helped bring stability as Vice President in the Second Republic.
“The late elderstatesman was credited with the introduction
of the famous proposals for a just and equitable power sharing in Nigeria based
on the six geopolitical zones which ensures a fair, just equitable and stable
polity.
“His contributions in the struggle for the restoration of
democracy in 1999 when he mobilised the famous group of 34 eminent Nigerians
who risked their lives and stood up against military dictatorship are still
fresh in our minds.
“Indeed, he lived a life worthy of emulation and left an
indelible mark in the annals of the history of Nigeria. He was truly a
political collosus and giant whose shoes will be difficult to fill”.
“As it was said of all the saints and sages, we take solace
in the fact that he has gone to rest having emptied himself while he walked the
earth and served humanity even in his final hours”.
“I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the Ekwueme
family, the government and people of Anambra state over this huge and
irreparable loss. May His gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
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