By Nwabueze Okonkwo

There were special tributes weekend at the industrial city of Nnewi, Anambra State in honour of the late Dr. Dozie Ikedife, former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo who died in December last year at the age of 88 and was buried immediately, according to his wish.

Dr Dozie Ikedife

Among those who paid tributes were Governor Willie Obiano who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke; the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA ,led by its Anambra State chairman, Dr. Emma Monago (Igweoba Obosi); the All Progressives Congress, APC led by its state chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike and Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, wife of Late Biafra warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and PDP presidential vice president, Mr Peter Obi, among other well-meaning Nigerians.

In his tribute, NMA, through its state chairman, Dr Monago described Ikedife as “a colossus in medical practice, an icon of the medical profession and an epitome of medical standard,” adding that “medical practitioners in the state in particular and the country greatly miss  him.”

In her own tribute, Mrs Ojukwu said it has always been an issue on how to immortalise great men, especially of Igbo nation, adding, “I think individuals themselves, organizations, institutions should sit down and think of enduring monument for such a great man”.

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According to Bianca, “Such a monument should not just be in making statutes to remember the dead, but to set up projects that will showcase his philosophies, ideologies and all the things he believed in life where they will be discussed, espoused, promoted and investigated”..

“He’s a true Igbo man who advanced warfare and the course of Igbo nation. He was always there to fight for their rights,’” she said. She congratulated Ikedife’s son for bringing people together to honour his father”.

Also speaking, the Anambra state government expressed worry over the steady loss of great men in the state.

According to Okeke, the Deputy Governor, “My concern for our state is that we keep on losing men of stature, integrity, character, yet nobody is replacing them.

“Where are the young men to take over? This is a wake-up call for all of us. Life is not all about making money, getting married and raising children.

“Let’s all begin to think of how to better our society through our characters and dealings with people. The legacy of a man is not his wealth, but what he contributed to humanity,” he said.

He described the late elder statesman as one who stood for something good, little wonder a large number of great men and women that graced the occasion. He challenged his son to be courageous enough to step into the late father’s shoes by upholding truth and peace which he represented.

On his part, the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu described him as a special gift to the Igbo who knew the power of love.