By Abiola Olawale
Dr. Mrs. Ogelue C. Ezeife Ugorji, the eldest daughter of the late first civilian governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has revealed that her father, a leading light of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) threw his weight behind the presidential aspiration of Mr Peter Obi because of his steadfast stance on justice, fairness and love for Nigeria.
According to her, the late Ezeife expressed his unflinching support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi in the last general election because of his love for Nigeria and commitment to the principles of justice and equity as building blocks of a good society.
The daughter of the former governor said her father, a former NADECO chieftain and a Harvard educated foremost economist ,had a strong conviction that Obi was capable of creating a united and equitable nation, where every Nigerian would be treated impartially and provided with an equal opportunity to succeed in life.
Dr. Ezeife-Ugorji revealed these while rendering her tribute during the Commendation Service held in honor of her father, Ezeife, the first civilian governor of Anambra State and an esteemed elder statesman. The commendation service was organized as part of his final journey home and it was held in Awka.
She further described the late Ezeife who was popularly called Okwadike as a man of wisdom, a lover of peace, and an emblem of unity. She said Okwadike was a truly detribalized Nigerian who related to everyone irrespective of tribe or religion. She prayed to God to grant her beloved father eternal rest and to grant that his hopes of a just and equitable Nigeria be actualized.
Dr. Ezeife-Ugorji’s tribute was particularly poignant, as she spoke of the profound influence her father had on her life and the lives of countless others. She described him as a loving father, a compassionate leader, and a true visionary who dedicated his life to serving his people.
The New Diplomat reports that the event was well attended by many dignitaries and revered Nigerians, including the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo; President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Former Governor of Enugu State, Okwesilieze Nwodo; Former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, and many others.
Ezeife, a distinguished economist took his PhD in economics with ground breaking records from Harvard University, and later taught at the famous Makere university in Uganda. To contribute to his country’s drver, he joined the Nigerian public service and rose to the peak as federal permanent secretary in the ministry of Labour and productivity. Upon retirement, he joined the then progressives platform, SDP and won as governor of Anambra state in 1991. He was NADECO’s key voice during the battle for the revalidation of the 1993 presidential polls evidently won by late Chief MKO Abiola.
A highly respected elder statesman, Ezeife was born in Igboukwu, Anambra State, on November 20, 1937, and passed away on December 14, 2023, at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, at age 85.
