London – Nigerians in the UK have described the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a rare and committed leader.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu,who was  the National leader of All Progressive Grand Alliance, died on Saturday in a London hospital.

Chief Bimbo Folayan, Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) said  in an interview in London on Saturday that Odimegwu-Ojukwu was a committed leader.

“We, here in London, are devastated by his death given the fact that he breathed his last here: It is the will of God for him. May his soul rest in peace,’’ Folayan said.

Also, Ms Enewan Ebong, President, Akwa Ibom State Association (UK & Ireland), said his death had left a great vacuum in the political space of Nigeria.

Ebongdescribed Odimegwu-Ojukwu as a “crowd puller’’ and  added that his ideals would  continue to shape Nigeria’s political processes.

“The history of Nigeria can never be complete without Ojukwu,’’ she said.

Mr Gabriel Agunwa, a London-based media consultant, said with the demise of Odimegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria had lost an enigma.

“ Ikemba meant so much to many people, he was a unifying factor.

“Pray that the good Lord will grant him eternal rest and comfort the family.’’

Mr AdeseyiSijuade, the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, described Odimegwu-Ojukwu as an icon in the politics of Nigeria.

“He was an icon in the politics of Nigeria; it is indeed a great loss to the nation.

“I know he has been ill for a while but you know we have been full of prayers for his full recovery; in such situation, God knows best,’’ Sijuade said. (NAN)