Tributes have continued to pour in for business mogul, Chief (Alhaji) Abdulaziz Chibuzor Ude, who died in Lagos in his late 80s last week Thursday, September 16, 2021.

The government of his home state, Enugu, has expressed rude shock and deep sadness over the death of Ude, an indigene of Abor in Udi Local Government Area, describing him as “one of our most illustrious sons”.

Reacting to his death, the state government through a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, noted that late Alhaji Ude was an international businessman of great repute, a publisher and well-recognized philanthropist.

Aroh pointed out that the state government is indeed very proud of Alhaji Ude’s immeasurable contributions to his faith, community, state, Igboland and the country.

“Although gravely pained by this death, we are consoled by the fact that Alhaji Ude lived a very worthy life and left his large footprints on the sands of history.

“While extending our condolences to his family, Abor Community, Udi Local Government Area and indeed the entire nation, we pray to the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest,” the Information Commissioner said.

The government of neighbouring Anambra State described Ude as “an internationally renowned publisher, intellectual, art lover, pan Africanist, entrepreneur and philanthropist . . . who played a significant part in modern Igbo history.”

“Unknown to most people because of his self-effacing nature, Chief Ude contributed significantly to the creation of Anambra, Enugu, Delta and Ebonyi states. Apart from being one of the signatories to the petition for the creation of these states to the Ibrahim Babangida military regime, he donated not just cash but also his private jet to transport the Igbo patriots like Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chike Edozie, Dr Akanu Ibiam, Chief CC Onoh and Dr Okadigbo to different cities who signed the petition. He also donated part of his building at 59 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, to coordinate the campaign for the creation of Igbo states and paid the staff. The then traditional ruler of Enugwu Ukwu, Igwe Osita Agwuna, one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists, was to confer a high title on him for services to the Igbo world,” according to a statement signed by Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba.

“Ever humble, he practised egalitarianism in truth and spirit. He never discriminated against the less privileged or those who did not share his religious views. Even after converting to Islam, a result of his deep friendship with founding Guinean President Sekou Toure, a pan Africanist in his own right, Ude remained a big contributor to the welfare of priests and the church in his community,” the statement further said.

On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said in a statement by his media aide, Bashir Adefaka: “The late philanthropist and great nationalist will be missed by all, especially the entire Muslim Ummah of Nigeria.”

The statement said Ude had been known to him since when he (Sultan) was a young officer in the Nigerian Army, having served in the East.

It added that the name of the internationally renowned publisher, intellectual and art lover, was” synonymous with goodness.

“We are offering our condolences to the family, government, and people of Anambra state and, indeed, the entire Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, for this sad loss of the great Muslim figure, quintessential administrator, nationalist, and philanthropist,” the statement said.

Recalling Ude’s “well-spent life as a businessman, industrialist, and billionaire, who used his wealth for the advancement of humanity,” the Sultan said the death of the late publisher and financier of Financial Post and acting Chairman of Newswatch Magazine, is a huge loss to Nigeria.

The Sultan in the statement prayed that Allah grants his departed soul forgiveness and repose it in Al-Jannat Firdaus, while also praying that Allah gives the surviving family members the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss occasioned by his demise.

Update news