Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has lauded the courage of late statesman, former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, in confronting the military junta in 1999 and for what he described as his fidelity and loyalty to the nation.

Speaking during the service of songs and night of tributes held in honour of Ekwueme on Sunday night in Abuja, Mr Osinbajo stated that the deceased led a group of eminent Nigerians, G34, to confront the military, leading to the emergence of democracy in the country in 1999.

“Former Vice-President Ekwueme was an example of loyalty and fidelity to the nation; he worked tirelessly to build bridges across many ethnic lines; he epitomises integrity and thorough selflessness,” Osinbajo eulogised.

Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, in his remark; admonished the nation to learn from Ekwueme’s courage.

He said, “If there is one thing we are going to take away from him, it is to see ourselves as Nigerians.”

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, commiserated with the family of the deceased, and described Ekwueme as a gift to the nation and his generation.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige, stated that Ekwueme formed the nucleus of the people that formed Peoples Democratic Party, insisting that he was not a typical Nigerian politician.

The minister threw the audience into laughter when he stated that the late statesman succeeded in everything, but failed in bribery and corruption.

“He didn’t know how to bribe people; he failed in bribery and corruption. He didn’t know how to corrupt people; he failed in these areas,” Ngige said.

The former aide to the ex-VP, also narrated how Ekwueme secured the Senate Presidency for the  South-East geopolitical zone in 1999 after he lost the PDP presidential ticket to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Meanwhile, Ngige has said President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to giving Ekwueme a befitting burial.

Ngige spoke on Sunday at Ekwueme’s hometown, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State after inspecting facilities for the burial of the late VP.

He said Buhari had committed about N1 billion on Ekwueme from the time the Federal Government took over his medical bills to date.

While saying that road rehabilitation alone in Anambra State and neighbouring communities of  Imo and Abia states, in preparation for Ekwueme’s burial, had gulped about N480m, Ngige said the Federal Government was doing everything to ensure that the Ekwueme family would not regret the role their late patriarch played in building a better Nigeria.

He said, “You know that I belong to the Ekwueme family; I’m part of that family. I’m in various committees and sub-committees for the burial of this great statesman. I can tell you authoritatively that Mr. President (Buhari) is committed and passionate in ensuring a befitting burial for Ekwueme.

“If he doesn’t come for the burial himself, I’m assuring you that the Vice-President, Osinbajo, will be here for the burial as a matter of right.

“So, I’m in  here to inspect the facilities in preparation for his burial and I can tell you that I’m satisfied with the progress of work.

“The Federal Government is doing rehabilitation works on the Amawbia/Ekwulobia Road, up to Uga and Akokwa in Imo State. We are also doing road rehabilitation on Oko/Umunze Road up to Ibinta in Abia State. I know the cost of all this is not less than N480m.

“The Federal Government is building the mausoleum, which will contain a modern library and other facilities and I also know the cost of that too. And remember that the Federal Government took up all the medical bills of flying him abroad and bringing his remains back to Nigeria from London upon his death. The cost of hiring an air ambulance is not a joke.

“So, Buhari has honoured this Igbo son in all ramifications. He has committed not less N1bn on this project because he is passionate about it,” Ngige stated.

The minister added that the Federal Government was considering naming a national monument after Ekwueme to immortalise him.

Similarly, Anambra State Government has commenced works on internal roads in Oko and its environs preparatory to the burial.

Briefing reporters, a Senior Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Inter-party Matters, Mr Ben Obi, said a new four-kilometre road had been created in the area for easy human and vehicular movements during the funeral.
He said parking bays had  been created in about six points, where vehicles would be provided to ferry mourners to  the funeral venue, while St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oko playground would serve as a helipad for the Vice-President’s visit.

Meanwhile, Anambra State Government has declared Thursday this week as a work-free day.

In a public service announcement by Secretary to Anambra State Government, Mr Solo Chukwulobelu, said all markets and business centres in the state would be closed on that day.

Punch