Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has announced plans to immortalise Nigeria’s first Speaker of the House of Representatives, late Dr Jaja Wachuku, warning that societies which fail to recognise and celebrate their heroes risk losing their sense of purpose and identity.
Governor Otti spoke on Wednesday at Anglican Grammar School, Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, during events marking the 108th posthumous birthday of the former Speaker, diplomat and Statesman.
“Any society that does not recognise and celebrate its heroes will soon disappear. We are celebrating him because of the sacrifices he made,” the Governor said.
He explained that the decision to honour Wachuku followed a deeper study of his life and achievements, which revealed that despite his immense national contributions as Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Aviation, he had not received commensurate recognition.
“I had always known about him, but sometime in 2023, I decided to read more about his life. By the time I finished, I felt that we had not done well enough. That was why I insisted that a documentary on his lifetime achievements must be produced”, Governor Otti stated.
The Governor said the celebration was deliberately fixed on Wachuku’s birthday rather than the date of his death, describing him as a father, elder statesman, brilliant lawyer and exceptional leader who made enormous sacrifices for Nigeria.
He disclosed that the Abia State Government had renovated Wachuku’s country home, preserved his renowned library, and rehabilitated the tombs of the late statesman and his wife.
Governor Otti added that the State Government was already considering naming a major public asset after Wachuku to further immortalise his legacy.
“We are looking at naming something great after him”, Governor Otti said, in response to appeals by Stakeholders.
In his remarks, the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described Wachuku as both a national icon and a father figure, recalling personal childhood encounters with him.
“What I saw and heard today has given me a new perspective on the man. It is our prayer that we too will be remembered positively when we leave this world”, Abaribe said.
The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, said Wachuku’s life of service, alongside Governor Otti’s leadership style, should inspire present and future generations.
“It is my prayer that God will make us instruments of inspiration for others even after we have left”, Emeruwa said.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, explained that the decision to renovate Wachuku’s home followed disturbing reports about its state of disrepair.
“His Excellency directed that I visit the country home of the late sage, and what I saw confirmed the reports. The same day the bill of quantities was submitted, the Governor approved the funds”, Pst Ajagba said.
He stressed that the gesture was not politically motivated, adding that “This is not about politics. The Governor does not celebrate himself; he celebrates others. God has set him up to rebuild broken walls, including those of Abia State”.
The President-General of Oha Nsulu Unity Forum, Chief Eric Opah, described the siting of the Abia Airport project in Nsulu land as symbolic and well deserved, given Wachuku’s role in Nigeria’s aviation history.
He appealed to the State Government to improve infrastructure in the airport host communities, including electricity supply and the rehabilitation of Anglican Grammar School.
Also speaking, the leader of the Ngwa people and former Attorney-General of Abia State, Chief Theo Nkire, described Wachuku as a man whose life was defined by national “firsts”.
“He told us himself that he was Nigeria’s first Foreign Minister, first Aviation Minister and first Leader of the Federal House. His life was a catalogue of firsts”, Nkire said.
The President of the Ngwa Social Club, Prof Paul Ananaba, noted that Wachuku was the first lawyer from the area and one of Nigeria’s finest legal minds, adding that efforts would be made to push for his posthumous conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Similarly, Senator Bob Nwanunu described Wachuku as “a legend and an exceptional orator” and proposed that the Abia Airport be named after him, a call echoed by the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe.
Former Senator Nkechi Nworgu commended Governor Otti for reviving long-abandoned projects and for giving overdue recognition to the late statesman.
“Hard work may not be rewarded immediately, but history will always remember those who served selflessly”, she said.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Ndubuisi Jaja-Wachuku expressed gratitude to the Governor and the Abia State Government for honouring his late father, describing the gesture as an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
“I did not expect this, but it is a pleasant surprise. I now have a beautiful house, and my father’s exploits have been magnified”, he said.
He added that several historic documents, including materials on the Ahiara Declaration of Biafra and authentic Igbo history, were sourced from Wachuku’s preserved library.
Born on January 1, 1918, the late Jaja Wachuku was a Pan-Africanist, lawyer, diplomat and humanitarian. He attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he became the first African medalist and laureate in Oratory.
The Late Jaja Anucha Wachuku died on November 7, 1996, at the age of 78.
The event featured the unveiling of Wachuku’s renovated residence and library, the rehabilitation of his tomb and that of his wife, the laying of wreaths, and the presentation of his walking stick by his son as a family gift to the Governor in appreciation of his leadership and service to the State.
