Anambra State: Governor Commissions Civic Centre Named After Nigeria’s Former VP Ekwueme

Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka.

Last updated Jan 6, 2024

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has commissioned the Alex Ekwueme Civic Centre in Oko, Orumba North local government area of the state, a deserving honour for the legacy of Nigeria’s former Vice President and renowned politician, Chief Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme.

The ceremony held on Saturday, January 5, 2024, was a blend of celebration and commitment, with Governor Soludo praising Dr. Ekwueme’s contributions while simultaneously addressing the critical issue of erosion threatening Oko.

Governor Soludo, visibly moved, thanked the people of Oko for honouring a man who is not just a father of Oko and Old Aguata Union (OAU) but Anambra, Nigeria, and Africa.

The governor commended the Ide Memorial Group and other contributors for building the Civic Centre in Dr. Ekwueme’s memory, recalling his role in the “Ekwueme Movement”.

He emphasized that Dr. Ekwueme as an idea and an institution will never die, stating that Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones concept was Dr. Ekwueme’s idea.

Nigeria’s First Elected Vice President

Born on 21 October 1932, Chief Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme hailed from Oko Town in Anambra State. He passed on 19 November 2017.

He was a Nigerian politician who served as the first elected vice president of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Nigerian Republic under President Shehu Shagari as a member of the National Party of Nigeria.

He was described as fearless and with the courage of his convictions, he led the G-34, the group of eminent Nigerians who confronted military dictatorship in its darkest and most fearsome days in Nigeria’s history. He contributed significantly to the return of democracy in 1999.

Dr. Ekwueme was said to be a prolific philanthropist, public servant, and a man of peace.

Ekwueme was the Ide of the Oko kingdom in Anambra State, where his younger brother, Professor Lazarus Ekwueme, reigns as the traditional ruler.

A Ban on Sand Mining

Governor Soludo also spoke about the urgent issue of erosion threatening Oko, recalling a previous town hall meeting he had with stakeholders, where he reiterated the threat faced by the community.

He noted that sand mining and uncontrolled flooding are key contributors to erosion in Oko, explaining that solving it requires collective action from the community, individuals, and the government.

The governor announced a ban on sand mining and the formation of a task force for enforcement, with severe penalties for defaulters. He also revealed plans for a 25-person committee to develop solutions to the challenge.

He pledged to construct crucial roads, including the Oko-Ogboji-Aguluezechukwu Road with a spur route to the Civic Centre and the Oko-Ndiowu road as well as the Pan Brewery road.

Earlier, the Oko People’s Union Chairman, Comrade Luke Nweke, expressed gratitude for the completion of the Civic Centre and Governor Soludo’s support in combating the erosion.

Wife of the former Vice President of Nigeria, Lady Beatrice Ekwueme; former Chairman of Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke; the National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene; the Traditional Ruler of Oko, Professor Laz Ekwueme, among notable sons and daughters of Oko Community and beyond, attended the event which featured the unveiling of the building and Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s statue.