Obi, Chidoka, Others Pay Tribute To Chief Nwankwo

By Dennis Chukwu

Obi, Chidoka, others pay tribute as Nwankwo elderstatesman is buried

Prominent Nigerians have continued to pay glowing tribute to late Arthur Nwankwo an elderstatesman and former national vice chairman of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) who was buried in his country home, Ajali, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Thursday.

Nwankwo died on Feb. 1 at the age of 80 years.

In his tribute, the former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi who was also the Vice Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the last general elections said Nigeria has lost a great patriot whom Nigerians have much to learn from.

The former governor while consoling the family of the late sage said that Ikeogu lived a life that all and sundry are proud of.

In his own tribute, the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka said Nwankwo was a true democrat who had strong principles and stood for rule of law and equality for all.

Chidoka said the deceased was a great author and publisher who used his Fourth Dimension and African Viewpoint press for chronicling of history and telling of African story by Africans.

Chidoka described Nwankwo as a great Igbo son who fourth for the best for his people but also an idea driven politician who worked with people of like minds devoid of political and religious considerations.

He said the best way to immortalise Nwankwo who already immortalised himself in his books was to uphold his strong principles.

"He was a great man, he joined in forming NADECO and was in the forefront of the struggle for restoration of June 12, he was also in Peoples Redemption Party against the popular party at that time.

"So, burying Arthur Nwankwo does not mean burying his ideas and what he represents to Igbo nation," he said.

The former aviation minister said he expects the South East governors to put their act together to immortalize Chief Nwankwo who was a role model for decent people in the country.

Chidoka said that the departure of the great hero present a unique opportunity for Nigerians in general and Ndigbo in particular to do a critical appraisal of their contributions to nation building.

"Late Chief Arthur Nwankwo is a hero who should be celebrated, he was a light to the nation as he used his Fourth Estate to demonstrate the 'power of the pen', he told our story to world in a unique way." He noted.

He said emphatically that unless heroes are celebrated in life and death, it will be very difficult if not impossible for people to heroic.

On his part, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Chairman of National Electoral Commission (NEC) who is also an indigene of Ajali  said Nwankwo was his childhood friend who studied the same discipline with him.

Nwosu said Nwankwo's strong democratic belief was why he joined forces with other activitists in NADECO as vice Chairman in the struggle for restoration of June 12, 1993 mandate of Moshood Abiola.

He said he enjoyed the deceased support in the electoral reforms he carried out between 1989 and 1993 adding that Nwankwo believed Abiola won in spite the cancellation by the military government.

"Arthur was my friend, my colleague, age mate and village mate, we grew up together, though we are mourning but we are also rejoicing because death is not the end of life but the beginning of life in eternity.

"The best way to immortalise him is to have true democracy where every citizen is equal and protected." He said.