By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

It was rain of tributes at the National Stadium Abuja,as sons and daughters of South East geo-political zone gathered to bid the late former Anambra Stare governor,Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife farewell following his passing.

Recall that the politician died in December,2023, at the age of 86 years.

Speaking variously at the Valedrome of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, where Ibos across the globe had converged to honour one of their revered sons, various speakers at the event, said the late pro-democracy activist can only be remembered through selfless service by leaders, especially in Iboland.

Former governor of Enugu State and Chairman of Ezeife Burial Committee,Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo,while speaking at the event, regretted that Ezeife,otherwise known as Okwadike Ndigbo, during his lifetime, died at the time he was mostly needed in the country.

According to Nwodo,the best way to honour Ezeife was for leaders of Ibo extraction across the world to lead courageous and as well as live simple life as examlified in Ezeife’s lifestyle.

He said:”As we mourn our own Okwadike, let us remind ourselves that death is an inevitable end and live lives that will impact humanity that we will be remembered for when we leave this world.

“Okwadike lived a life that we are all proud of today, so I admonish you all to imbibe such lifestyle for the benefit of those we will leave behind at death. “

The ceremony tagged “Life and Times of Okwadike was a Carnival like which featured traditional dancers, various cultural troupes as well as masquerades from different tribes across the country.

Those who spoke at the occasion include the Eze ndigbo Abuja, Dr Uche Egenti, Eze ndigbo Ghana, Dr Chukwudi Ihenetu, the Coordinator, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Augustine Amaechi who decried the death of the iconic elder statesman who they said lived for others.

They appealed to the Igbo leaders to always be there for members of the Okwadike family who he left behind now more than when he was alive.

On his part, the member representing AMAC and Bwari Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Obika said it will be difficult to fill the void created by Ezeife’s demise.