Valentine Ozigbo, the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, has commiserated with the family of late Chief Uche Ezechukwu, a celebrated journalist and media practitioner, who was laid to rest in his hometown on Saturday, May 1, 2021.
Chief Ezechukwu, popularly known as Onwukwube Ndigbo, “was a celebrated author, a widely-read columnist, a highly sought-after speechwriter, a fearless journalist, and a multi-dimensional media entrepreneur”, Ozigbo said in his tribute.
During the funeral ceremony held at Amesi in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr Ozigbo eulogized the late journalist, describing him as “an icon in every sense of the word”.
“If you consider what the late Ezechukwu has achieved in this world, you can’t but pay homage to his greatness and impact. I am confident that Onukwube’s legacy will continue for generations to come. He was a legend who has left an indelible mark in the history of Amesi, Aguata, Anambra, Nigeria, and Africa,” the respected business leader said.
Reminiscing on the unique relationship he shared with the late Chief Ezechukwu, Ozigbo, a native of Amesi, recalled how their families have co-existed in mutual love and understanding decades.
“I regarded him as a brother and mentor for decades up until his sad demise. Onwukwube was a close friend and distant cousin. Together with my late elder brother, Collins, Onukwube had a profound impact on my life. Their wisdom guided me. Their brotherly love upheld me,” Ozigbo mourned.
“Our warm relationship extended to his wife and children. One of his daughters, Georgette, became like a mentee to me. When I was the MD/CEO of Trancorp Hotels Plc, I employed her temporarily, and when she wedded, my wife and I played a significant role at the wedding.
“When I decided on my current project to liberate Anambra and renew our greatness, Chief Ezechukwu was the first media professional I consulted. He was so kind as to assemble the first team of journalists who supported us. Most of them are still actively supporting our project to this day,” Ozigbo revealed in his tribute.
Ozigbo consoled the bereaved family, encouraging them to be comforted in knowing that their father left a lasting legacy just as he urged them to live by the ideals of hard work, love, and service that their patriarch embodied.
The funeral ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including His Excellency Peter Obi, the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Vice Presidential candidate in the 2019 general election.
The late Ezechukwu served in various positions, including as personal press secretary to the late Biafra leader, General Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign spokesperson in 2003, and member of the editorial boards of The Sun and Authority Newspapers.
A graduate of communication studies and modern languages from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ezechukwu is the author of “The Land of the Rising Sun”, a book exploring the experience of Ndigbo.
PHOTOS FROM THE FUNERAL
