Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Bamanga Tukur, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, have paid glowing tributes to Second Republic Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, who turned 80 years yesterday.
The leaders, in their separate tributes contained in the brochure of a Cultural Festival sponsored by the governors of the South East at Okpara Square, Enugu, at the weekend in honour of Ekwueme, wished the octogenarian good health and many more fruitful years.
Buhari said that no matter any past differences, honour done to a notable Nigerian was “welcome to me as it is honour done to Nigerians as a whole.
“Those who knew and worked with Dr Ekwueme attest to his loyalty and hardwork. In and out of government, he put premium on industry. Although I am unable to be present, I wish participants to this occasion fruitful deliberations and Dr Ekwueme good health and many more years of useful contributions to the Nigerian nation,” he stated.
Chief Emeka Anyaoku said that he had known and followed from close quarters, as a life-long friend , the career and achievements of Ekwueme for over 50 years.
He stated that the ex vice president had played a seminal role in the country’s return to democratic governance after the “locust” years of military rule by founding and leading what came to be known as Group 34.
Victor Umeh described Ekwueme as a sound professional architect, lawyer, businessman and consummate politician, and added that his life has been a rare gift to the Igbo nation and Nigeria.
In his tribute, the Bamanga Tukur? said Ekwueme was a veritable lesson to today’s and upcoming generations of Nigeria.
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