Labor Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has reacted to the passing of Nigeria's first aviation minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi.
Writing on his Twitter page, the former Anambra state governor described Chief Amechi as a patriot and elder statesman who loved peaceful coexistence and desired fairness, equity, and justice.
Obi wrote, " I received the sad news of the transition to glory of late Chief Mbazulike Amechi ( The Boy is Good) this morning. He was an elder statesman whose love for peaceful coexistence, desire for fairness, equity, and justice, and fire for patriotism remained alight until his death."
According to the LP presidential candidate, Chief Mbazulike always expressed his opinions clearly. His contributions to the country and the people in a variety of capacities will always be cherished. He was a man who dedicated his life to the cause of a more progressive and united Nigeria, Peter Obi noted.
Mbazulike Amechi, the first minister of aviation in Nigeria died early on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at age 93.
Chief Amechi, popularly known as The-Boy-is-Good, a native of Amihe village in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was a nationalist and the only surviving member of the Zikist Movement.
A statement from the family announcing his passing and signed by Ezeana Tagbo Amechi read, “With total deference to the will of the Almighty God, the Ume Amechi, Ezeana Ihinede families and the Umu Mmara kindred of Amihe Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State announce the peaceful transition of our illustrious son, father and grandfather, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor), Nationalist and the First Republic Minister of Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who transitioned peacefully in the early hours of today November 1, 2022.
“We thank God for the fulfilled life that he lived, the lives that he touched, and his service to God and country. We respectfully ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this time.”
Chief Amechi was a very strong and courageous voice for Ndigbo and fought to secure the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He recently led a team of notable Igbo leaders to the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock Abuja where he advocated for the release of Nnamdi Kanu who has been in the custody of the Department of State Security, DSS.
Chief Mbazulike Amaechi also pleaded with armed groups to revoke a sit-at-home order that had been issued for May 5 and May 6 in the Southeast due to a planned visit to Ebonyi state by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He urged them to stop their threats and refrain from doing anything that could put Ndigbo in a bad light and noted that the President's visit would present an opportunity for Igbo elders to find solutions to the region's security issues as well as ensure Nnamdi Kanu's release.
In a statement, Chief Amechi said, "I read on social media that a militant group has
stated the coming of the President to the Southeast.
"Please I want to appeal to whosoever, or group, behind the statement to please withdraw that threat.
"Despite my old age plus the aching pains all over my body, I am almost in a wheelchair, yet I am highly committed to restoring peace in Igboland.
"I will meet the President along with some Igbo leaders and elders about the security of our region, which is interwoven in the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.”
The first republic minister lost his wife Chinelo on July 23, 2021.
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