Tributes as Arochukwu indigenes, bid Eze Aro farewell

Friends and well-wishers of Arochukwu and the entire kingdom have bid farewell to late Eze Ogbonnaya Okoro popularly known as Eze Aro.
At the final burial rites on Monday, April 5, 2021, both the young and old were at their best in display as the remains of Eze Aro were eventually interred.
The indigenes of Arochukwu in Arochukwu local government area of Abia state one after the other took turns to eulogise the lives and times of the departed first class Traditional Ruler.

The Chairman, Aro National Rites of Passage Committee, Prof. Okoro Ijeoma, described the deceased king as highly talented, educated, relaxed and very respectful.He said the late traditional ruler sacrificed a lot for the peace of his community.
Prof. Okoro used the occasion to draw the attention of the federal government on the deplorable state of Arochukwu/Ohafia highway.He said the completion of the road would be the best way to immortalise the highly respected late Monarch. 
“We have had a road which is in despair and it was one of those agonies that faced him when he was alive and we want a lasting legacy for the road to be fixed to honour him, because that is how we can grow economically and socially,” he said.
Also speaking, a two-time governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance now one of the top APC leaders in Abia state Dr Alex Otti who chaired the burial event commended the chairman of the National Committee on the burial rites of passage and committees for working so hard to organise a befitting burial for the Aro monarch. He also thanked Aro sons and daughters both at home and in the diaspora for their huge financial contributions to the burial and encouraged them to maintain the spirit of unity engendered by the event.”He remarked that the entire Aro people are consoled by the legacies the late Eze Aro left behind. Dr. Otti then prayed to God to show him mercy and grant his soul eternal rest, while calling on the immediate family of the deceased and the entire Aro kingdom to bear the loss with fortitude
Convener of the New Nigeria Group, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, said the late Eze Aro loved his community and Nigeria at large.
He said, “Late Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro, preached peace and collective responsibility towards the development of his community while on the throne. Each time we visited him, he  will tell us that  the crown he was wearing was also on our heads, therefore we must work hard to protect it.
“He wanted all of us to be involved in seeking the peace, progress and development of the Arochukwu Kingdom.
“He never demanded anything from anyone, he was content with what he had. He was an extraordinary king, one would have expected him to be more demanding but he wasn’t.
Born on Monday, March 6, 1932, Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro, he ascended the famous Eze Aro throne in 1995 and his reign witnessed tremendous transformation of the kingdom and growth in inter-communal relations. 
Among other positions, Eze Ogbonnaya Okoro, was a first-class traditional ruler and occupied one of the ancient traditional stools in Nigeria and was the custodian of the Aro heritage worldwide.
He passed on after a protracted illness.

Buhari mourns close ally, Dr Mahmud Tukur

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with  the family of Dr Mahmud Tukur, over his demise  describing him as a true patriot and a nationalist.

In a message to the family, friends and associates of the founding Vice Chancellor of the Bayero University, Kano, President Buhari said “Dr Mahmud Tukur’s service to the nation will be remembered by generations yet unborn.
The condolence was contained n a statement by by his Senior Special assistant Garba Shehu .
The statement said he had a passion for a prosperous, economically strong and united Nigeria. “He was a proud nationalist.”

The President, in his tribute, recalled that as Minister of Trade in his first coming as Military Head of State, Dr Tukur introduced a lot of schemes that revived the local industry, boosted exports and gave real meaning and effect to import substitution in regenerating the indigenous manufacturing sector of the economy.

He prayed to Almighty Allah to accept him in Aljannah Firdaus and give the family, friends, the Adamawa Emirate Council and the people of the state the strength to bear this grievous loss.

Buhari mourns Afenifere spokesperson, Odumakin

President Muhammadu Buhari had condoled with the family, friends and acquaintances of Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.
Odumakin was also spokesman to the then Gen Buhari in 2011, when he ran for President on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), now defunct.

The President recalled that Odumakin as dutiful, and a person of conviction
He expressed sorrow at his demise, when he had a lot more to contribute to society and the nation at large.

President Buhari prayed God to grant repose to the soul of the departed activist, and comfort all those who mourn him.