Don’t bury Zik’s son without his fathers’ mausoleum ---Ohaneze Ndigbo

The Chairman of Anambra Elders' Council, Dr Dozie Ikedife, has at the weekend, in Nnewi noted that it
would be unfortunate and historically regrettable on the part of the federal government for the late first son of late sage Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe to be buried without completing the mausoleum of his father, the Great Zik of Africa.
The final resting place of the nation's former leader and pan-Africanist was started many years ago has remained historically shameful political campaign issue over the years. In like manner, none of the past leaders beginning with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who ruled for 8years and at the beginning of his era visited and prayed at the mausoleum, promising it would be a priority project of his administration but he turned his back the moment he was sworn in as president till date.
The project, which has changed design and contractors a couple of times, has till date remained abandoned and uncompleted despite resumption of construction work there by the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Dr Ikedife said the federal government should do all it could to complete the Zik's mausoleum and as well give his late first son, Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe a State burial for his contributions to the development of Nigeria in his lifetime.
"Chukwuma Azikiwe, the first son of Zik of Africa, the great African nationalist, motivator and leader had lived peacefully in his Onosi Onira residence in Onitsha and died at the age of 75.
"Born into a very literate family, he attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha and the prestigious Harvard University in the United States of America. He trained in Diplomacy and successfully worked as a diplomat all his life, with the towering shadow of his father ....” Dr Ikedife pointed out.
He described the late Chukwuma as a visionary who saw clearly things other people around him could not see.
"In Onitsha with its rich customs, he was the Owelle after his father. In politics, he was a quiet operator whose opinion was sought after from far and near. He was an inspiration to the younger ones. His forte-quiet diplomacy was appreciated by both local and foreign diplomatic and political operators. His death has left a vacuum in the political think-thank of Onitsha, Anambra and Nigeria generally," he concluded.