Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has described the demise of Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as a great loss not only to the Ibo nation but also the larger Nigerian society.
She stressed that time has come for his memory to be immortalised by embracing the ideals of love, unity, tolerance and his believe in one humanity under God, irrespective of creed, ethnicity or religion.
“Ojukwu believed in one humanity under God. He saw every human being as a creation of that Almighty God hence deserved to be treated equally irrespective of colour, creed or ethnic background. These were at the core of all he lived and fought for. Now that he has passed on to the great beyond, there can be no greater immortalisation of his memory than a recourse by all and sundry to these core essence of his being. Nigeria and Nigerians can only truly immortalise his memory by accepting one another and living in peace and unity in one country bound together by the thread of justice’’, Oduah stated.
‘’Ikemba’s passage should hopefully bring to full closure all insinuations that the larger Nigerian society still holds a grouse against the Ibo nation for the unfortunate events of the late 1960. The onus here lies not only on the other ethnic nationalities as on the Ibo nation itself to close the final chapter to all suggestions that had tended to hold it back. This is the time for the Ibo nation not only to unite amongst themselves in honour of Dim but also to look into the future with hope of a greater stake in the Nigerian nation’’, the Aviation Minister declared.
“Ojukwu’s life was a study in personal industry, humilty and courage. As a young man out of University, he had every opportunity to relapse and enjoy all the good things life had to offer as the ground was already fully prepared for him by his wealthy father, but he rejected the easy path; choosing instead to chart a different cousrse for his life. This is a fitting lesson for Nigerian youths, especially those of the Ibo extraction that there can be no greater satisfaction than success achieved through hard work and personal industry. Nigerian and Ibo youths should honour the memory of the late Ikemba Nnewi by shunning the get-rich-quick syndrome, embrace education and pursue success and fame through personal industry”, the Minister declared, adding “his footprints shall remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history”.
Her deepest condolences go to Ojukwu’s immediate family, the government and people of Anambra state as well as the entire nation which has lost a true ‘’MAN OF THE PEOPLE’’.
No comments:
Post a Comment