Anambra loses another former governor: Chukwuemeka Ezeife passes away at 85

Just two weeks after laying to rest Dr. Chinweoke Mbadinuju, Anambra state has suffered another loss with the passing of Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, fondly known as Okwadike Igboukwu. The 85-year-old statesman and former governor breathed his last at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja on Thursday evening.

Ezeife’s family confirmed the news in a statement signed by his son, Rob Ezeife. They hailed him as a “distinguished son” who excelled in multiple roles, including:

• First Executive Governor of Anambra State: Elected in 1992 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during Nigeria’s Third Republic, Ezeife served until the military takeover by Sani Abacha in 1993.
• Accomplished Educator: A graduate of the University College Ibadan and Harvard University, Ezeife possessed impressive academic credentials, including BSc in Economics, Masters, and PhD degrees.
• Political Leader: Beyond his governorship, Ezeife served as a Federal Permanent Secretary and a Political Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo during the Fourth Republic. He even aspired to the presidency himself.

While details about burial arrangements and further commemorations are yet to be announced, Ezeife’s passing leaves a significant void in Anambra’s political landscape and Nigerian history. His contributions as governor, scholar, and political figure will undoubtedly be remembered and celebrated in the days and weeks to come.