The family house of the nation’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, was a beehive of activities yesterday as sympathisers trooped to the compound to pay their last respect to the first son of the great Zik of Africa, Owelle Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe.
Chukwuma, who replaced his father as the Owelle of Onitsha, died on Sunday at 10am according to the family.
The twin uncles of the deceased, Akunne Arah Azikiwe and his brother Nnanyelugo, received the visitors yesterday.
The family officially announced Chukwuma’s death as approved by the family’s spiritual head, Nwamulunanma Azikiwe.
“We announce the death of the Owelle of Onitsha, Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe.
“He died on Sunday May 10 at 10am and burial arrangements will be announced later,” Akunne said.
Owelle Azikiwe’s personal assistant, Chukwuma Njaka, said the death of his boss was painful to everybody. He described the late Azikiwe as an Iroko tree.
The Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi on Statistics and Strategic Planning, Okey Okiri, who is also an in-law to the Azikiwe’s was one of the early birds.
Okiri said he spoke with the late Owelle on Wednesday and he did not sound sick. He regretted that he did not deliver the Owelle’s message to Governor Rotimi Amaechi before his death.
Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened in the expansive compound with a few persons signing it.
President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the Azikiwe family.
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also extended condolences to the government and people of Anambra State.
He said the deceased lived a fulfilled life by sustaining the humanitarian and leadership legacies of his father as a mobiliser, leader, philanthropist and a highly respected voice in his community.
The President prayed Almighty God to grant the soul of the departed a peaceful rest and comfort the family he left behind.
The President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has also described the death of Chukwuma as a sad development and the exit of a great Nigerian who was brought up in the best tradition of national unity and genuine African values.
In a condolence message yesterday, Buhari said: “A gentleman has left a turbulent world. Ambassador Azikiwe was a thorough–bred citizen who chose private life after a distinguished diplomatic career in Nigeria’s Foreign Service.
“There is no doubt that Azikiwe’s humane and refined qualities made it possible for him to step into the big 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 him.
Buhari urged the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nna’meka Ugochukwu Achebe and the entire people of Onitsha Royal Kingdom to take heart and bear the loss with fortitude.
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has condoled with the Azikiwe family and Obi of Onitsha on the death of Chief Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe.
In his condolence message, Obiano said he was shocked at the news of the demise of Chukwuma, a 1964 Harvard Business graduate, whom he described as a political leader in his own right.
“It is not how long one lived, but how well. What is important is the courage we bring to bear on 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.
“In a sense, he was a cultural ambassador of not just Onitsha but the Igbo race as a whole,” he said.
Obiano said the vicissitudes of his life notwithstanding, the deceased would be remembered as one who tried to play his part in the time and circumstances available to him and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
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