By Nkechi Ojukwu
The Archdeacon in charge of the St Stephen’s Church, Oka/Ibeme (Diocese of Isi Mbano) in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Ven. Amarachukwu Duru, JP, has decried the inability of the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi kanu unconditionally despite repeated calls by well meaning Nigerians to that effect, especially after several appeals made by the late Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
He noted that Government also did not heed a similar call by Iwuanyanwu’s immediate predecessor, Professor George Obiozor.
The Church administrator traced Nigeria’s endemic political and economic problems to the electoral bodies in the country, saying apart from Professor Nnenna Otih of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) who distinguished herself as REC in the Governorship Election of Abia State, and the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu who headed the National Election Commission (NEC) of the June 1993 Presidential Election, no other person in spite of the professed academic attainment had been able to do the right thing.
He pointed out that these electoral umpires’ shenanigans have thrown the country into its present situation.
Duru knocked both the state and federal governments for not even doing anything about the road that leads to the late Iwuanyanwu’s maternal home, Oka, at least, from the erosion point at Nkwo Mbaa to Oka, a very short distance.
Ven. Duru described the late sage as a bridge an whose contributions to nation building could not be forgotten in a hurry.
He said, “Our collective hearts are so heavy with sympathy and sorrow someone who so special like Ahaejiagamba can never be forgotten. His contributions will forever be remembered.
“The Enyi of Oka Arutumibe lived a fruitful and remarkable life: he nurtured many, a man of treat impact, supported the Church, society and the community. He sponsored the schools, built St Stephen’s Seminary/Secondary School Oka. He is known to have promoted every good thing including the annual music orchestra at his country home.
“Ahaejiagamba is a political school of thought to all governments. He was a Democrat afgreat leader, we had who would laugh off the hate they have for the Igbo man, but persevere and penetrate as an astute Democrat whom I call ‘the bridge.’ He was a believer of the fact that it is easy to stand in the crowd but it takes courage to stand alone. Service without humility was not found in him. Courage was common with him….”
The Archdeacon Duru prayed God to repose his soul, for he had fought a good fight.
There were a deluge of tributes –all of which eulogized the sterling qualities of the late sage.
