Emulate Ekwueme's perseverance, Ozobu tells leaders

From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who also was one of Igbo delegates to the 1994/95 Constitutional Conference, Prince Richard Ozobu, has said that the late former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, was a reliable leader whom the present crop of leaders should emulate.
He said that Ekwuemea��s perseverance and approach to politics.in the country made him to stand among his contemporaries.
Ozobu who commented on Ekwuemea��s contributions to national development, told The AUTHORITY that even though the late elder statesman, had set the pace for Nigeriaa��s democratic process in several instances, he never anchored his approach to elective position in a a�?do or diea�? manner.
Ozobu said that judging by Nigerian standard, Ekwueme would not be described as a successful politician because he never practiced the politics of a�?give and takea�? but purposely canvassed for standardisation of every process against personal interest, common with politicians.
He said: a�?Till his death, Ekwueme was active in politics, against all odds, preaching peace and the unity of the country at all times. He did a lot in his life time. But it can’t be said that he thought us more of politics but more of endurance and perseverance. He was a simple man even while in office. He was more of a peace maker and not necessarily a successful politician, amidst his contributions to the nation’s socioeconomic and political development.a�?
The Ohanaeze chieftain expressed gratitude to the Federal Government over the befitting burial it accorded Ekwueme, stating even though there was no constitutional provisions for such an honour to be accorded to a former Vice President, Ekwueme merited the treatment in view of his contribution to the nation’s democratic process.
He asked the South East governors to devise strategies of immortalising death Igbo leaders like the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the late Michael Okpara, the late Akanu Ibiam, among others, stating the social and economic welfare of their immediate families should be the concern of the governors.