•Describe him as a legend, iconic, sage
Described as iconic, legend and a sage, prominent Nigerians have been paying tributes to the Nationalist and First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Amechi Mbazulike who passed on Tuesday morning.
In his reaction when News Express sought his comments and thoughts, Chief Chewas Okorie, Ojeozi Ndigbo and frontline politician said, “I received the news of the death of Chief Mbazulike Amechi with deep sadness. Although he enjoyed the special grace of God to live up to the ripe old age of 93 years, yet by his passing he left such a huge void that will be difficult to fill for a long time.
“Like wine, his invaluable contributions and interventions in public discourse became better as he aged. He was courageous, bold and forthright at all times.
“A couple of days ago, I was narrating to a few young men who came on a routine interaction with me, the story of the glorious days of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. I recalled to them how and why Ohanaeze was formed, which was originally known as IGBO FORUM in 1976 when it was formed until 1979 when it was renamed Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“I was then the youngest member of the organization which was then an elite group. I handled most of the errands of the organization. I was then a young undergraduate at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. I informed them that the 1976 class of what later became Ohanaeze, had only Chief Mbazulike Amechi and my humble self alive.
“The boy is good as he was popularly known in his hay days when he became a cabinet minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the youthful age of 24, will be greatly missed, especially his wise counsel to Ndigbo and every Nigerian government. May his noble and valiant soul rest in peace.
Articulate and literary giant, Chief Nze Ozi Chukwu, in his tribute yesterday noted:
“Iconic Dara, the doyen, the sage !
An activist by nature, he remained one to the end”.
Chukwu continues: “A great believer in one Nigeria on the principles of equity, justice, fairness and inclusiveness.
“It is indeed a sad end of an era, with the transition of a man of all seasons and the moving spirit of the times”.
Chukwu, the ebullient poet, writes: “He will fill the story lines of all times. He may have gone but not forgotten. History will fondly remember him”.
For Chief Godson Okoye, former Presidential Candidate, erudite scholar and elder statesman,
“The Glory is Gone!”
He noted in his tribute to the Nationalist: “It is with rude shock and disbelief that we have received the news of the passing to eternal Glory, of one the pillars of the struggle for the independence of Nigeria, High Chief Mbazulike Amechi (The Boy is Good).
“He got his nickname of ‘The Boy is Good’ from the Great Zik when he at one their political rallies in the north, wrestled an assailant, armed with a sword, to the ground, even as his hand was bleeding, thus neutralising the deadly physical attack, on Dr. Azikiwe.
“Zik, who was the subject of the attack, looked at Chief Mbazulike with deep admiration and exclaimed, ‘The Boy is Good!’.
“That was to be his ‘name” for a long a time in his political career. Chief Mbazulike cut his teeth, in politics as a staunch member of the defunct Zikist movement and the National Council of Nigeria and Camerouns.
“The name of the party was later changed to National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). At Independence in 1960, Chief Amechi was to be the first and the youngest Minister of Aviation, in Nigeria.
“In the Second Republic, he parted ways with his political leader, Dr. Azikiwe, when he (Chief Amechi), joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
“He tried so hard to bring Zik into NPN but the sage refused to join him, in NPN. Chief Mbazuluike, in his later years, did so much to raise and groomed credible political leaders in the old Eastern Region. “I had the rare privilege of meeting him face to face, a couple of times.
“His death has deprived Nigeria of his deep wisdom and experience, especially at this time, that Nigeria is at a political crossroads. High Chief Mbazulike Amechi, was a patriotic, honest and hardworking Nigerian. “May his patriotic and courageous soul rest in Peace. Amen”.
Also paying tribute Professor Echefuna Onyebadi R., cerebral elder statesman and consummate essayist said: “Oh, what a mighty loss!…
“So sad that the sage passed on without his wish for the release of MNK acceded to by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari.
“The joy of the unanimous Appeal Court judgment with an immediate release of MNK from DSS custody may have added to his life span and made his transition if it had to be more glorious!….
“May his soul find peace with God Almighty.
“Pa’s demise truly marks the end of an era!”
