The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to immortalise the late former Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife by renaming Government House, Awka, in his memory.

Mr Ezeife, who governed Anambra from January 2, 1992, to November 1993, on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), died on December 14, 2023, at 85.

Mr Ezeife, popularly known as “Okwadike’, was laid to rest on Saturday at his country home in Igboukwu community in Aguata LGA of Anambra.

The chairman of CLO in Anambra, Vincent Ezekwueme, told journalists in Enugu on Sunday that Mr Ezeife laid the foundation for the new Anambra State as the first executive governor.

Mr Ezekwueme said that the former governor contributed immensely to the socioeconomic and political development of the South-East and Nigeria.

According to him, Mr Ezeife is the epitome of patriotism: a servant leader, God-fearing, prudent, steadfast, selfless and a humanist.

“In life and in death, he remains indisputably the most courageous, articulate, compassionate servant leader who always stands for what is right, fair and laudable, regardless of the consequences.

“Okwadike played indispensable roles in the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the election of the Nigerian President of Igbo extraction and ending Monday’s sit-at-home.

The late governor also played prominent roles in the establishment of the South-East Development Commission as well as socioeconomic and political justice for all zones in the country.

“Similarly, the Federal Government should immortalise him by naming any national monument in his memory and for President Bola Tinubu to sign into law the bill for the establishment of the South-East Development Commission recently passed by the National Assembly.”

The CLO boss said that Nigeria should appreciate his unprecedented selfless sacrifices and services to the country as a civil servant, permanent secretary, governor and presidential adviser.

“It is of prime importance for the political class and civil servants to emulate him so as to actualize the Nigeria of our dreams, hopes and aspirations in tandem with the philosophy of our founding fathers.

(NAN)