President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with Nigerians and the people of Anambra over the death of elder statesman and former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
In the same vein, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the death of the former vice president as shocking.
Ekwueme died in a London clinic on Sunday.
President Buhari, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, commiserated with the entire Oko Kingdom, the Aguata Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Ekwueme family.
The president noted that the elder statesman’s regular counsels on national issues and mediations for peaceful co-existence would be sorely missed.
He affirmed that Ekwueme’s unwavering commitment to the unity of Nigeria had been a major encouragement to many governments.
President Buhari recalled the personal sacrifices he made in helping to lay the foundation for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
He also observed that Ekwueme had worked assiduously to improve the livelihood of many poor and underprivileged people through the Alex Ekwueme Foundation.
He described him as a man who served his country and humanity.
The president prayed that God would receive the soul of the former vice president and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
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In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo said Ekwueme was a great Nigerian who devoted his life to the service of his fatherland.
“The late Ekwueme was a selfless, disciplined and patriotic Nigerian, who lived a worthy and exemplary life.
“His irrepressible thirst for knowledge and education, which propelled his foray into many fields of intellectual pursuit represents a shining example to the younger generation,” he said.
Obasanjo said Ekwueme played distinguished role in the development of the architectural profession, philanthropy and goodwill in Nigeria to the benefit of many people.
“As the whole world pays tribute to Ekwueme, I join them in celebrating the life of a man who rose from the beacon of human struggle to lofty heights of nobility.
“His life is an example of what we should all aspire for.
“His struggle and our struggles remain the same as we all seek for answers to deal with today’s challenges.
“His demise is a loss to his family, who would miss a caring patriarch, the people of Anambra, who would miss a guide and the good people of Nigeria who would miss a leader,” Obasanjo stressed.
