The Deputy Governor of Anambra State Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim has described the former Governor of Anambra State, the late Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife as a man of integrity and one who laid indelible foundation for the state.
The Deputy Governor was speaking during the commendation serviceorganized by the Anambra State Government at International Convention Center Awka, in honour of the deceased.
Dr Ibezim who described the late Dr Ezeife as a man of many parts pointed out that the former Governor left legacies to leaders at all levels in terms of people-oriented leadership style, maintenance of law and order, commitment to development of all sectors of the economy, among others, and prayed God to grant his soul eternal repose.
In their various tributes the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Anambra State, Prince Emeka Udodeme, and the Member representing Orumba South Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Chief Emmanuel Nwafor, noted that the late Dr Ezeife was an Igbo man who defended the Igbo race against marginalization and promoted the Igbo cause.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Chief of Staff to the National Chairman of All Progressives Garand Alliance, APGA, Mr Ugochukwu Obiefuna, a stakeholder in Agulu community who worked under the Ezeife administration Chief Daniel Ogbuefi, said that the late Dr Ezeife was an honest individual who contributed immensely to the growth and development of Anambra State.
For Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, the late Dr Ezeife was committed to a just, fair and equitable Nigeria, as well as lived for the wellbeing and emancipation of Ndi Igbo, a cause she said that most Igbo leaders in this dispensation are no more interested in.
Ambassador Bianca asked present Igbo leaders to wake to responsibility of championing the cause of their tribe and making sure that the rights of their people are protected in the country.
The late Dr Izeife popularly known as Okwadike of Igboukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, ruled the State between 1992 and 1993, and died at the age of eighty-five.