The remains of one of the Abia Founding Fathers, Ezeogo Dr Anagha Ezikpe,was yesterday laid to rest at his home town in Abiriba,Ohafia Local Government Area.
The Ceremony which attracted top government functionaries,Medical practitioners, Traditional rulers among others, had series of testimonies from people, eulogizing the sterling qualities of the patriarch of the Anagha Ezikpe dynasty.
Earlier at the commendation service organised by the Abia State Government held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, the Governor of the State charged Abians,as well as the people of Abiriba to ensure that the legacies of the late Anagha Ezikpe be sustained.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, disclosed that Abians mourn the departure of the late Ezeogo Ezikpe and as well celebrate the impactful life he lived, describing him as a colossal gift,a titan, a man among men, an iroko among others
The Governor said the late Ezikpe was a true father of the state,an advocate of peace and equity,a fearless model and a voice of maturity, stating that the late Ezikpe was one Abian who contributed to the state creation and bequeathed the charter of equity to Abians.
He further described him as principled and disciplined personality that left a mark in the political and medical advancement of Abia state and beyond.
The Governor noted that apart from promoting the peaceful coexistence among Abians,the late Ezikpe was selfless,devoted Christian and a promoter of Abiriba tradition, urging the family to sustain the legacies left behind while he prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
In his tribute, the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji, called on Abians to emulate the good qualities of the late Ezikpe,while advocating for a street in Abia to be named after him.
The Abia State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Chimezie Okwuonu,disclosed that the medical association is proud of the life lived by Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe, recounting his tremendous contributions made in the health sector.
According to Dr Okwuonu, the late Ezikpe was a successful medical practitioner, having served as the second Vice President of NMA and also an honoured member of NMA Abia, where he was instrumental to the establishment of a Medical Centre in Abia, establishment of Abia State Teaching Hospital and as well used his position to influence the accreditation of most of the Training Institutions across Abia State.
“We mourn his exit.We pray God will raise men that will uphold his virtues and also stand as a pillar for the medical institutions”,he said.
Speaking also, the representative of Abiriba Community, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe,the Vice Chairman , Abia State Advisory Council, Sir. Chikezie Nwachukwu and the Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Dr. Joseph Nwabeke, described the medical guru as a man of great character, promoter of equity and justice , a principled man of peace,devoid of self deception who fought along side other Abians to ensure the creation of Abia State.
In his sermon, the Rt. Rev. Ibeabuchi Agwu of the Presbyterian Church Nigeria, reminded all that death is inevitable for everyone irrespective of status and positions, hence the need to live a life that will impact on people, stating that the late Ezeogo Dr Anagha Ezikpe was a man of impeccable integrity and conviction that saw to the writing and implementation of the Abia Charter of Equity.
Responding on behalf of the family, the first son, Sir. George Anagha Ezikpe said their Father’s character defined and distinguished him among his peers and contemporaries, assuring that the memory and sterling qualities of their late father,Ezeogo Dr Anagha Ezikpe would remain evergreen in their hearts and appreciated the State Government and all for honouring their father.
In an Interview, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, described the Late Ezikpe as outstanding, adding that the history of Abia cannot be written without him at the frontline.
The SSG commended the leadership dexterity exhumed by the Abia founding father, stating that the late Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe piloted the Abia Advisory Council perfectly, as he was also instrumental to the Abia Charter of equity that has been running for 30years now.
He said the late Ezikpe remains an Outstanding General in Abiriba,Ohafia and Abia at large, urging the family and Abians to emulate, advance and imbibe the core values the late Ezikpe stood for,which is truth and discipline,as that is the only way to keep his legacies alive, adding that if the family abhors these values,then they have successfully buried his legacies.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Eze Chikamnayo,also described the late Anagha Ezikpe as a colossus who lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.
In an interview with National Ambassador shortly after the Commendation service organised in honour of the late patriarch, the Commissioner said the late Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe left legacies in all spheres of the state economy, adding that he was an outstanding gentle man who through humility and tenacity of purpose built a lasting legacy.
Eze Chikamnayo disclosed that the late Ezikpe made quality contributions and impact on the health sector, adding that he was a frontline leader in the state that sacrificed alot so that Abia would be better.
While urging the family to take solace in the fact that their late father has gone to be with the Lord,prayed God to grant the soul of one of Abia’s forebearers eternal rest.
The Ohafia Local Government chairman,Dr Okoroafor Ukiwe,said Ohafia people is proud of the late patriarch,who through patience,worked his progress through the ladder.
For the Commissioner for Sports, Hon Karibe Ojigwe, said Abia is blessed to have the late Anagha Ezikpe,who he described as a gentle man,whose humility brought him so much honour.He urged the family to take heart and ensure his legacies live on.
