President Jonathan, Buhari, Atiku, governors mourn Azikiwe

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday commiserated with the family of Nigeria’s first President, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, over the death of his son, Chief Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe.

He died at Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha, after a long fight with respiratory related ailment at the age of 75.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President also extended his condolences to the government and people of Anambra State and the immediate family of the deceased.



He said he believed that the late Azikiwe, who was also the Owelle Onitsha, lived a fulfilled life by sustaining the humanitarian and leadership legacies of his father as a leader, philanthropist and a highly respected voice in his community.

He prayed that God would grant the soul of the departed peaceful rest, and comfort the family he left behind.

On his part, the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, described the death of Azikiwe as a “sad development and an exit of a great Nigerian who was brought up in the best tradition of national unity and genuine African values.”

In a condolence message in Abuja, Buhari said, “With the demise of Chukwuma Azikiwe, a gentleman has left a turbulent world.

“Ambassador Azikiwe was a thorough-bred Nigerian citizen who chose a private life after a distinguished diplomatic career in Nigeria’s Foreign Service. There is no doubt that it was Azikiwe’s humane and refined qualities that made it possible for him to step into the big traditional shoes of his great father, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, as the Owelle of Onitsha.”

The President-elect said with the demise of the Owelle, he had lost a friend who cared for him and often found the time to visit at home in Kaduna.

In a related development, a former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar, described the death of Azikiwe as a “vanishing breed of Nigerian diplomats.”

He expressed shock at the death of the eldest son of late Nigeria’s first President.

In a press statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, Atiku said, “Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe epitomised the very best of the late Zik’s zeal and passion for a united Nigeria: he gave him a Yoruba name despite being of Igbo background and supported his pursuit of a career in Nigeria’s Foreign Service.”

The Turaki Adamawa said Azikwe belonged to “the vanishing tribe of Nigeria’s core diplomats who steered the ship of Nigeria’s foreign policy during the difficult times of Nigeria as a frontline state struggling for the decolonisation of the African continent.”

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State also expressed shock over the death of the first son of Nigeria’s first President, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, Gov. Orji condoled with the family of the deceased on the sad loss, urging the family members and the people of Anambra State to bear the loss with fortitude.

He said that the late Chukwuma would be missed by all.

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, also condoled the Azikiwe family and Obi of Onitsha on the death of “the eldest son of Nigeria’s first president.”

In the condolence message, Obiano said he was shocked at the news of the death.

He said, “It is not how long one lived, but how well. What is important is the courage we bring to bear in life. It is neither easy to come out from the shadows of a great Patriarch, nor for one to succeed in all one’s endeavours.

“For me, it was enough that the late Chukwuma espoused his own vision of leadership and offered himself for service to the state.”