Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, former Governor Peter Obi, and the Senator, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Uche Ekwunife, joined medical  practitioners  in bidding farewell to the immediate past Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku Awka, Late Dr.  Basil Elochukwu Nwankwo.

The late Dr. Nwankwo, whose remains were interred in his Akwa village, Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Council Area, was, according to his biography, a medical practitioner,  veteran politician and ardent Catholic, who worked tirelessly to reposition the state teaching hospital  for better healthcare service delivery.

speaking at a Requiem Mass for the deceased, Governor Obiano recalled meaningful contributions the late Dr. Nwankwo made for to the development of the state teaching hospital, describing his death as sad.

 

Earlier in his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, said the death of Dr. Nwankwo speaks volume about the transient nature of life on earth, calling on all to use one’s positions in uplifting mankind.

He reminded all that self-discipline is needed to achieve meaningful goals in life, adding that observance of Laws, including divine, attracts favour for mankind, as well as eternal life.

 

The Metropolitan Grand Knight in charge of Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States, Sir Boniface Orakwe, President-General of Ifitedunu Development Union, Honourable Uchenna Nwoye and the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, ASHIA, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi in separate reactions  said despite giant strides in medical field, the late Dr. Nwankwo equally made immense contributions to the growth of Catholic faith and development of his community, urging his family, friends and relatives to develop on his good legacies.

One of the sons of the deceased, Barrister Charles Nwankwo, who thanked all that came to share in their moment of grief, including members of the state Executive Council and the Legislature, said his late father was a man of the people.