Anambra state governor Chief Willie Obiano has expressed worry over steady loss of irreplaceable great men in the country and the state in particular.
Obiano made the observation on Friday in Nnewi, Anambra state, at the occasion of the day of tribute for the former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife.
The governor, who spoke through his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said people of the state should be more concerned with legacies they bequeath to the younger generation.
He said: “My concern, especially for our dear state is that we keep on losing men of stature, men of integrity, character. Yet nobody is replacing them.
“Who are the young men that will take over from these great men? I’m yet to see them. This is a wake -up call for all of us.
“Life is not all about making money, getting married and raising children. We must stand up for something.
“Let’s all begin to think of how to better our society through our characters and daily dealings with people. Let’s begin to live by example.
“Legacy of a man is not his wealth, but what he contributed to humanity.”
He described the late elder statesman as one who stood for something, little wonder the large number of great men and women that graced the occasion.
While praying for God’s consolation for the family, Obiano challenged his son, Ikedife Jnr to be courageous to step into the late father’s shoes by upholding truth and peace which he represented.
Wife of former Biafra warlord, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu canvassed for immortalisation of the late elder statesman.
She said it has always been an issue on how to immortalise great men, especially of Igbo nation.
“I think individuals themselves, organisations, institutions should sit down and think of enduring monument for such great men.
“Such monument should not just be in making statutes to remember the dead, but to set up projects that show his philosophies, ideologies and all the things he believed in life where they are discussed, expoused, promoted and investigated,” she said.
Ojukwu, former Ambassador to Spain, described him as extraordinary man who she spent time with in the company of her late husband.
“He’s a true Igbo man who advanced warfare the course of igbo nation. He was always there to fight for their rights,'” she added.
Minister for Science and technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, described late Ikedife as a special gift to the Igbos who knew the power of love.
He said it was the understanding of the virtue as the strongest force that made him offer selfless service, which made him see goodness in others.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion included, first republic Aviation Minister, Mbazuruike Amechi; Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Peter Obi; President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Sen. Andy Uba, among others.
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