Chief Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, The Former Governor of Anambra State, has expressed optimism saying, Nigeria will not disintegrate despite the plethora challenges bedeviling the country.
Chief Ezeife, said this on Wednesday when the presidential aspirant Prince Adewale Adebayo and his team of supporters paid him a condolence visit over the death of his wife, Mrs Njideka Ezeife, may her soul rest in peace
Recall, the late Mrs Ezeife was the First Lady of Anambra from January, 1992 to November, 1993, when chief Ezeife, her husband was the state governor.
Ezeife who noted that it is not over for Nigeria enjoins Nigerians to go back to God in prayer to restore His plan for the country, adding that the people should be ready for a new Nigeria.
According to him, “We have a gem of a country, God gave us more than he gave any other country, no country have what we have, the men and some of the women in Nigeria’s politics messed up God’s design for unequal greatness, for a superpower among nations. Man messed up the design but can the will of man dominate over the will of God? He asked in optimism. So, be ready to receive a new Nigeria.
“With you the younger ones, I am very happy, the problem is that our political leaders do not have conscience, conscience is dead in Nigerian politicians and that is the problem. We have to pray to God to resurrect good conscience in Nigerians.
“If we have conscience, we can bring back Nigeria, we can still be a superpower and we can make all Africans and black people respected and have dignity because our failure is the failure of all blacks. It is not over, Nigeria is not about to disintegrate but we have to go back to God and pray that he restores his plan for Nigeria”, he said.
He thanked Prince Adewale Adebayo and his entourage for condoling with him, adding that, “because of the way you talked, I am very condoled. May God bless you”. The elder state man concluded
Earlier, Prince Adebayo said, the visit was to express their deep sympathy and condolence to the family, noting that although they will normally come to him for wisdom, but even the strongest of men need to be comforted when they are bereaved.
While describing Ezeife as a stabilizer in the leadership of this country, he said, “You are a national leader that reminds us what the country should be and what we should also be. When you were the governor in Anambra, you tried to unite the country as a family, showing that you want us to be united as a country.
“You are known to be a planner and you left a solid foundation of what Anambra State is today. You have been an example to the country in many ways. At a moment like this, we’ve come to you, you must feel the vacuum of losing a loved one but you must fill that vacuum with all the many children you have produced.
“Your duty is to give us direction, the country needs unity and you have an answer to that. The answer to Nigeria’s centre of gravity is the centralization of Igbos in Nigeria, you have been a solid reference for all of us. You have seen a lot yet you’ve soldiered on, but our duty is to relieve you of some of these heavy responsibilities by taking care of ourselves and being responsible”, he stated.
He appealed to Nigerians to remember that the late madam Njideka Ezeife made a lot of sacrifices that most Nigerian women are enjoying, and prayed for God to preserve Dr. Ezeife’s life to see a new Nigeria.
Also speaking, the former Minister of Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalong in his condolence message said, “We mourn today our mother who left at a time her voice is more needed to console the country which is facing a hard time. Remain the strong father you are and be assured that your efforts in building a great country remains an asset that every young man will continue to emulate.
“We thank you for your leadership and pray that God will continue to strengthen you. We assure you that Nigeria will be great again, keep pushing on and we will take over from where you have left off”, he stresses.
