Tributes for Maduekwe at Umuahia valedictory session

It was a galore of tributes yesterday for the late Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe at a valedictory session organised in his honour by the Abia State Government at Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, the state capital where the casket carrying his remains was brought after a valedictory high court session which had earlier held in his honour by the state judiciary.

First to address the cross section of Nigerians that trooped to the auditorium was the representative and Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee Senator Ben Obi who described the late one time PDP National Secretary as a great man with political vibrancy that served the party and the nation creditably in various capacities.

Next was his son Dr. Uma Maduekwe who on behalf of the family thanked all for coming to bid their father farewell, saying that his father fully appreciated this from where he was. “We are happy that our father is being appreciated in his Abia State that produces best people.”

Describing late Ambassador Maduekwe as a very lively man with great ideas, Professor Jerry Gana, the pioneer Secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees said he was a role model for incoming politicians.

According to him, Ojo always stood for what would be good for all hence he will be given the crown of righteousness to where he has departed.

Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees Senator Wahid Jubril said that Ojo obeyed the call of God in line with the belief that God gives and takes back life,” adding “we are here to witness his journey to eternity as we console ourselves and his family that he lived a great life worthy of emulation. On behalf of the state National Assembly members Senator Enyi Abaribe, described Ojo as one that played politics without bitterness in his life. “He was a man with great ideas whom you could not meet and leave him without learning something for keeps. For me what I learnt from him was that if you are knocked down in politics, you must get up and retaliate.”

The state governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu  in his tribute urged the people to reflect on the life and times of the late Maduekwe who he said spoke the truth in the right language even if heaven would fall by his so speaking it. He added that he would be remembered for so many things.

He, therefore, prayed God to make another Ojo to arise from his Abia State. Among the many that attended the public session were Senators Theodore Orji and wife, Adolph Wabara, Ibrahim Mantu, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, ex-Health Minister Alphonsus Nwosu, ex Aviation Minister Chief Osita Chidoka, Abia State Speaker Martins Azubuike, Deputy Governor Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, Uko Nkole, etc.