former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he National President of Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network(GNPN) Dr Dan Awana, expressed shock about Ekwueme’s death lamenting that it was a sad loss for the nation. Dr Awana noted that the deceased was a great gentleman and statesman who should be emulated by politicians in the country. In his tribute, human rights activist,Dr Dan Awana, described Ekwueme’s death as an “Iroko” tree that has fallen”,, adding that the deceased was one of the few remaining titans of democracy and good governance. “It’s an irreparable loss, not just to Ndigbo and Nigeria but to the entire democratic world. May his great soul rest in perfect peace, Amen!”
Another member of Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network, Chief D.O.D Okirka, stated “ his voice on political issues in this country was always a voice of wisdom. The political space has undoubtedly lost a valuable player.” A renown Publisher, said: “Ekwueme was so sparkling in political respects that no politician worth his salt or onion yearning for political ascendency failed to crave his immeasurable guidance and direction, as a consummate political engineer and bridge builder, which he willingly and graciously gave in no small measure. “He also clearly show-cased these attributes by serving as an arrow-head in the creation of the present six-zone political structure in Nigeria, for purposes of achieving much needed national peace.
He described the demise of the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme as a huge loss to Ndi Anambra, Ndi Igbo and Nigeria in General Reacting to the news of the death of Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief D.o.D Okirka said that he was yet to come to terms with the reality of Dr Ekwueme’s death as it was hard to contemplate the void that his passage has created for Ndi Igbo at this point in time. “A great iroko has fallen. Ndi Igbo and Nigeria has lost a great statesman. We have lost a great son, a father and a bridge builder. “I and the Grassroots Publishers wish to express our deepest condolences to the Ekwueme family and the people of Oko and to Ndi Anambra in general. I pray that God Almighty will give us the fortitude to bear this grave loss. May His Soul Rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.” Also reacting, the The Financial Secretary of GNPN,Maduike Ifeoma, she described Ekwueme’s death as a devastating blow not only to Ndi Anambra but also Ndi Igbo and Nigeria in general. She recalled that as a Vice-President, Ekwueme played exemplary and very challenging politics, which according to her, distinguished him from pedestrian politicians, adding that on the religious angle, the intellectual, moral and economic qualities with which he used to serve God and humanity was so inexplicable that it would be very difficult to get another Alex Ekwueme in Nigerian social and political life.