From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
A socio-cultural pan Igbo Group, Ndigbo Royal Heritage (NIROH) Worldwide, has expressed deep sentiments of grief over the death of late elder Statesman and Nigeria’s First Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi describing his death as a great loss to the Igbo nation and the global stage at large.
President General of NIROH Worldwide, Chief Paul Okoye who stated this in a statement yesterday described Chief Amechi as an Uncommon Patriot who used all his energy and convictions to stand for what he believed in.
Chief Okoye recalled with great nostalgia, a meeting of the delegation of NIROH Worldwide Executive Team members who paid a courtesy call on the now late Amechi at his country home in Ukpor, Nnewi South LGA where he was honoured as the Grand Patron of NIROH Worldwide.
He noted that Amechi’s positive disposition to affairs concerning the Igbo and how the Igbo can take its pride of place in the Nigerian political configuration was inspiring and a load of lesson to the latter-day Igbo sons and daughters who are in the corridors of power at any level.
He regretted that the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors combined scuttled plans by NIROH Worldwide to organise a yearly lifetime birthday celebration for the late Nonagenarian but expressed optimism that the legacies left behind by the late elder statesman will be upheld by NIROH Worldwide.
Chief Amechi’s life exemplified the core values of NIROH Worldwide, an affiliate of Ohaneze Ndigbo, in its vision to build a new and united Igbo Nation rooted in virtue, honour and value and also in line with our objectives of serving as a driving force to stimulate selfless service, innovativeness, spirit of oneness, qualitative leadership to the Igbo Nation, and promotion of the Igbo cultural essence and correctness. We most dearly mourn his passage,” Chief Okoye said.