By Seyi Babalola
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has expressed sadness over the passing of former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
The deceased, who was 85 years old, died at the Federal Medical Center, Abuja, on Thursday evening.
He was the first democratically elected governor of Anambra State on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP in 1992 in the Third Republic. He served as governor until 1993, when General Sani Abacha staged a military coup to truncate the democratic process.
Ezeife was also a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, former Political Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo and one-time Presidential Aspirant.
In his condolence message he personally signed, the Deputy Governor noted:
” I am deeply saddened by the shocking news of the passing of a rare breed politician and former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife”.
“He was a jolly good fellow and gentleman par-excellence who exhibited content, character and courage – both in his private and pubic life”.
According to Shaibu: “my first encounter with our departed elder statesman was during my leadership as President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS”.
“He was then the Political Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose administration was bent on foisting its policy of financial autonomy on Federal Government-owned universities and polytechnics. We resisted it because it would have amounted to heavy burden on indigent students”.
“I am proud to say that he was tactful, diplomatic and manifested a deep sense of responsibility and patriotism in his engagements with us”.
“Though he would be sorely missed by family members, friends and political associates, his legacies as a pan-Africanist and a patriot will continue to endure”.
“May his gentle soul rest in peace”, Shaibu added.
