The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has described the First Republic Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, as a patriot whose lifestyle is deserved emulation by leaders in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Day of Tribute to honour the late Amaechi at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre, on Tuesday in Abuja, President Buhari, pointed out that the elder statesman intervened whenever the country was at its trying moments to ensure peace in the entire country.
Represented by the Minister of Labour and Chris Ngige, Buhari further described the late Amaechi as a person who will be missed, leaving a vacuum in the sands of history in the country.
According to the President, Amechi was an epitome of what every Nigerian leader should be aspiring to be, saying, “He was a man of peace and did everything possible to ensure that there was unity and peace in every part of the country.”
The President further remarked how the former federal parliamentarian, before his death, requested for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, during a courtesy visit to the President alongside other notable South-East leaders.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, was represented by Prof. Ike Obiorah.
Speaking at the event, the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, stressed the need for Nigerians to emulate the patriotic and ingenious nature of the late Amechi.
Obi, further celebrated the deceased for his love for humanity and nation.
The Chairman of the National Planning Committee for late Amaechi’s burial, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said the foremost Igbo leader lived his life for the course of the N’digbo.
He said, “I have known him (Amechi) in the past 50 years and all his life he had spent fighting the course of the Igbo race.”
