Anambra State: Former Governor Mbadinuju is Laid to Rest Amid Glowing Tribute 

The Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and ex-governors of the state, Mr Peter Obi (the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party) and Dr. Chris Ngige (the immediate past Minister of Labour & Productivity), have joined others to eulogize a one-time governor of the state, late Chinwoke Mbadinuju, whose remains was laid to rest on Friday.

READ ALSO: Anambra State Government, Others Mourn Former Governor Mbadinuju

The burial ceremony, which was held at the deceased’s home town in Uli, Ihiala local government area of the state, was the culmination of three days of funeral activities for the former governor.

Governor Soludo in his condolence speech recognized the former governor as a giant whose towering achievements still speak till date, adding that his great strides in Anambra State and Nigeria will never be forgotten. He consoled the family, the people of Uli and Anambra State at large.

In the same spirit, Governor Soludo highlighted Mbadinuju’s contributions to the state, including the construction of the House of Assembly Complex and Judiciary, the Alex Ekwueme Square, Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, and the Anambra State University, now renamed Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University.

“Mbadinuju was the governor that told Ndi Anambra (the people of Anambra State) that it will be well with the state. Today we are here to tell him, ‘it is well with his soul, and he will be greatly missed’.

“He did his best. This is the man who actually made the state.

“The only time in our history …although mine was on another level, as territories were taken by criminals, but during his time, women and children were sleeping in churches at night to avoid being raped or being molested by armed robbers, but he brought sanity to Anambra.

“He established the Anambra Vigilante Service, which we have taken to the next level to bring peace and security to the state.

“The learning point from his life is, like I said, just do the ultimate best. “Let each day count; let each hour count.

“He was here for just four years –  four years of impact. Life is not how long but how well. The end: I said he lived an impactful life,” said Governor Soludo.

Ngige, who governed the state from May 2003 to May 2006, on his part, also described Anambra State as a difficult state to govern, noting that Mbadinuju came at the most difficult time in the state.

According to him, “Mbadinuju governed the state at a difficult period, yet he left many legacies for the state.”

Earlier in his homily, the Anglican Bishop of Awka diocese, Dr. Alexander Ibezim, said that Mbadinuju tried his best at the time when he was governor of the state.

Ibezim called on politicians to learn from Mbadinuju and remember that one day, they will die.

“Anambra State is a difficult state to govern even for one day, and not to talk about four years. Mbadinuju tried his best. This is a lesson for all politicians that one day, they will be lying like this. Always use the public fund for public good,” he said.

Barrister Cheta Mbadinuju, son of the deceased, in a vote of thanks described his father as a shining light they had in the family and expressed special gratitude to Soludo for organizing the modest and befitting burial for their father.

He recalled that in the past 20 years, their family felt like there was a cloud hanging over their heads as a result of the bad narrative peddled against their father.

He urged the people to imbibe the lesson of not complaining about how bad a situation is, but rather look on the brighter side of life.

Cheta Mbadinuju, who was full of appreciation, thanked all who came from far and wide to mourn with the family at this critical time.

A 21-gun salute was used to bid farewell to Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, who was the governor of Anambra State between 1999 and 2003.