The wife of late Biafra leader, Chief Chikeuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu has called for the immortalization of the former president general of Ohaneze ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife.
She made the call during the day of tribute of the late icon in Nnewi, the industrial city of Anambra state on Friday.
According to her, she said it has always been an issue on how to immortalise great men, especially of Igbo extraction of the country.
“I think individuals themselves, organizations, institutions should sit down and think of enduring monument for such great personality.
“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.
Ojukwu who was the former Ambassador to Spain and APGA Senatorial aspirant for Anambra South on the just concluded 2019 general election, described him as extraordinary man who she had 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 said.
She congratulated his son for bringing people together to honor his father.
Also speaking, the Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, expressed worry over steady loss of great men in the state.
He said, “My concern for our state is that we keep on losing men of stature, integrity, character. Yet nobody is replacing them.
“Where are the young men to take over? This is a wake up call for all of us. Life is not all about making money, getting married and raising children.
“Let’s all begin to think of how to better our society through our characters and dealings with people.
“Legacy of a man is not his wealth, but what he contributed to humanity.”
He described the elder statesman as one who stood for something, little wonder the large number of great men and women that graced the occasion.
He challenged his son to be courageous enough to step into the late father’s shoes by upholding truth and peace which he represented.
On his part, the Minister for Science and technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu described him 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 personality that honour the late Dr. Ikedife day of tribute include; Senator Andy Uba, Hon. Tony Nwoye, Mr. Peter Obi, President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo,the state chairman of Ohanaeze, Chief Damian Ogene-Okeke, among others.
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