…As FG renames Ebonyi Varsity after late VP
Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Friday led top Federal Government delegation and other eminent Nigerians to attend the burial ceremony of the elder statesman and Nigeria’s first democratically elected Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
The burial ceremony which took place at Dr. Ekwueme’s home town, Oko, Anambra State was also, attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Patience; former Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Governors of different states of the country, Chairmen and members of different political parties, among others.
Earlier in his homily, the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Grace, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh challenged political office holders to ensure that Nigeria’s independence goes beyond “paper” as according to him, Nigeria should be independent in providing basic amenities for its people, even as he stated that it was wrong for Nigerians to leave their kits and kins to seek medical services outside the country and in most cases, lose their lives in such venture whereas, those in authority can make the hospitals in the country functional.
“Our independence is only on papers, our leaders should deliver us from running to other countries for medical services, whatever the deficiency in the medical profession, government should help us, let our people stop to die abroad,” the Okoh said.
Speaking on the topic, “Get into the Ark,” the Primate implored all evil doers in the country to repent and get into the ark of God, observing that the late Ekwueme achieved so much in the academia, politics and did so much to transform his community, Oko which political office holders deserve to emulate.
He added that political office holders should be men of integrity and avoid cheating the electorates by coming to them only when they need their votes.
Also speaking at St. John The Divine Church, Oko, Anambra State venue of the funeral service for the late Dr. Ekwueme, the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo described the late Ekwueme as principled, brave and set an excellent example of loyalty as Vice President.
He further described him as a man of impeccable integrity, stating that the federal government has renamed the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI) in Ebonyi State after the late sage.
On his part, former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku in an emotion-ladened tribute at the occasion described the deceased as a “cerebral politician who did not play politics of bitterness.”
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