Tributes have continued to pour in for deceased first aviation minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, with Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu joining other well meaning Nigerians and organisations to appeal to the Federal Government to release leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu still being held after his discharge by an Appeal Court.

This is as Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, described him as a nationalist and patriotic statesman who was committed to democratic virtues and good governance.

Mbazulike, unrepentant member of the Zikist Movement popularly called “The boy is good” passed on November 1, at 93, according to a statement by Ezeana Tagbo Amechi on behalf of his family.

Iwuanyanwu, who spoke to our correspondent on telephone regretted that the first republic aviation minister’s last wish was not fulfilled before he died.

“Federal Government should obey the law. South East governors and Ohanaeze should work together to see to the release of Kanu. He has no capacity to overthrow Nigeria. His continual detention is not in the best interest of South East or Nigeria.”

He appealed to Anambra State government to have a monument to remember him for ever.

Kalu, in a condolence message issued in Abuja, yesterday, commiserated with the government and people of Anambra over the demise of the politician, who he said lived a purposeful life in the service of humanity, adding that his leadership qualities were extra-ordinary and worthy of emulation.

“I received with pain the news of the demise of first Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi.

“The deceased was well respected for his ideology, which was anchored on genuine and credible leadership. He left behind good legacies for leaders to emulate.The late politician will be remembered for his noble contributions to humanity.’’

Kalu prayed to God to grant the former minister eternal rest.

•Nigeria has lost a great man –Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State said he was an advocate of socio-political inclusiveness of the Igbo in the Nigeria’s political firmament as well as an apostle of equity, justice and fairness.

A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, said the governor regretted that Chief Amechi passed on when his fatherly counsel was needed most, noting that those mourning his death should be consoled by the fact that the former Secretary of the youth wing of the defunct NCNC led a good and fulfilled life of service to God, community, state, country and mankind as a whole.

Governor Uzodimma, who further noted that Chief Amechi’s message of equity, fairness and justice resonated well across all the length and breadth of the country, said there is much to gain and learn from all that the deceased espoused while he was alive.

He, therefore, commiserated with the entire Amechi family in Amihe Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, the Igbo Nation and Nigerians in general, over Chief Amechi’s death, and prayed God to grant the family, friends and well wishers, the fortitude to bear the loss. Also, he prayed God for the repose of he soul of the deceased.

•Ihedioha: Foremost nationalist, great patriot

Immediate past governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, said he was a foremost nationalists and great patriot who was not afraid to speak truth to power.

Ihedioha said he was proud to have hosted the 90th birthday celebration of the late foremost nationalist in 2019 , and named a major street after him in Owerri, the capital metropolis.

A statement he personally signed read: “Chief Amechi played a frontline role in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence as a member of the Zikist Movement who went to jail in the struggle for a free Nigeria. He was former Minister for Aviation in the First Republic and a great parliamentarian of note.

“Till his last breath, he believed and fought for a just, united and prosperous nation….

“Chief Amechi spoke truth to power, irrespective of the danger or consequences to self. He was a prominent voice for justice, equity and good government; a great reservoir of wisdom and vast knowledge about Nigeria and her history, which he graciously documented in his books.

“I am particularly proud to have hosted his 90th birthday celebration in Owerri in December, 2019 as Governor, naming a major street after him as an honour.He will be sorely missed by his family, Ukpor people, Anambra State, Ndigbo and Nigeria at large.”

•Died at Nigeria’s critical moment – Ohanaeze PG

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor, said he left when Nigeria needed his nationalist prowess most.

In a message to son of the elder statesman, Tagboo Amechi, the Igbo leader described his departed father as an exceptional patriot and a nationalist par excellence who was unique in his eloquence, clarity and wisdom in national discourse.

“He left at a time we needed his nationalist prowess in Nigeria’s second coming and most decisive moment,” Obiozor said, adding that “Nigeria today has a rendezvous with destiny.”

•Moghalu pays tribute

Former deputy governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, said he was privileged to have visited Amechi in his country home in Ukpor in Nnewi South LGA in April 2019, and was soaked in various stories of Nigeria’s national history, including “an intimate first hand account as a member of a group of five close associates who, along with the Great Zik, received Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s delegation to Zik to persuade the latter to form a coalition of Zik’s National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) political party and Awo’s Action Group (AG) party to form the national Government after the 1959 elections, and why Zik ultimately instead entered a coalition with the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) to form Nigeria’s post-independence government with Tafawa Balewa of NPC as prime minister and head of government and Zik as president and head of state.”

•Uncommon patriot -Igbo lawyers, CLO

For the Igbo Lawyers Association (ILA), Amechi worked with passion for the unity and even development of Nigeria.

Chairman of ILA, Chief Chuks Muoka, SAN, also described him as an upright politician, that refused to be negatively influenced in decision making, from which he was given the name, “The Boy is Good”, which he answered till death.

He recalled that Amechi, despite being the Minister of Aviation, was the legislator for what was Southern Onitsha County Council.

According to him, Amaechi influenced the construction of the Owerri/Onitsha federal highway to pass through Ozubulu, Oraifite, to give access and open up more communities and making it shorter to Onitsha, instead of passing through Nnewi, Ojoto, and Obosi.

“I was in secondary school when he represented my area in the National Assembly, and he influenced the construction of the Owerri/Onitsha federal highway to pass through Ozubulu, Oraifite and helped open the rural communities.

“When Nnewi people protested to him, he told them in the native language that “Ekwusigo Keanu okwu ahu”, meaning that the matter had been settled. This gave rise much later to name the new road bypass area, Ekwusigo, which now is a Local Council Area with Ozubulu as headquarters,” Muoma recounted.

Also, Abia State Chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Prof. Charles Chinekezi, lauded Amechi’s stand on issues of Nigeria’s unity including his advocacy for true federalism until his death.

He said: “Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, was a great statesman with a strong belief in one Nigeria. He was an inspiration to the youths and believed in justice and equity.” (Daily Sun)

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