Igbo leaders extol Nwabueze

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, has described Prof Ben Nwabueze, a former Minister of Education, as a role model and custodian of tradition and custom.

Achebe made the commendation in Enugu on Tuesday at an Academic Leadership Award bestowed on Nwabueze by the Convention for Intellectual Cooperation of Nigeria (CONFICON).

According to the royal father, Nwabueze, who is also a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, fought against injustice meted out to the Igbo race and stands firm for their cause.

He urged the youth to emulate his legacies, especially in the area of education and dedication to mankind.

In his remarks, a one time Gov. of Abia, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, decried the decline in the standard of education in the country, especially in regard to reading culture.

“Many Nigerian students have lost their reading culture and value. This calls for urgent attention by stakeholders in the interest of the country.’’

Onu described Nwabueze as a “unique person and special gift to Nigeria” who distinguished himself among his equals.

He said that Nwabueze never allowed injustice unchallenged and called on the youth to emulate him.

Earlier, the Chairman of the organisation, Prof Chiweyita Ejike, said the group decided to honour Nwabueze in recognition of his outstanding contributions to academic advancement in Law and Political Science.

“CONFICON is celebrating the life achievements of Prof Nwabueze as an undisputed Gold Standard in undaunted intellectualism.

“Nwabueze, in accepting this CONFICON award, is bestowing on us his immense stamp of approval which is of inestimable value to us.

“He is an erudite scholar, outstanding lawyer, prolific author, a fine administrator, tireless philanthropist and the best Minister of Education in Nigeria,’’ he said.

In his response, the former minister thanked the group headed by Ejike, a former Vice Chancellor of the old Anambra State University of Science and Technology, for the honour.

Nwabueze said that he would have done more for Nigeria but that age was no longer on his side.

He decried the poor reading culture among Nigerian students, saying that many of them were more interested on money and power.

The legal luminary described Onu as the `only credible leader’ the Igbo people have in this present administration.

He urged him not to be scared at the enormous responsibilities facing him.

“I know that you are a man of integrity, enormous work will be given to you under the APC-led government.

“Ensure that South-East positions are not denied,’’ he said





source: Vanguard