… Hails Buni, Lalong, Sylva, Saraki, other dignitaries for showing solidarity with Amaechi at the funeral
… Berates those in APC & PDP mentored and assisted by Dede who refused to honour him during his burial solely to sustain bickering and politics of bitterness
“In keeping faith with an earlier pledge not to issue any press statement until after the burial of Sir (Oha) Charles I. Amaechi (JP), elder brother of the Transportation Minister and South-South leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a mark of respect and honour to the dead and following the successful interment and Thanksgiving Service, Saturday and Sunday respectively, in Ubima town, Rivers State, I wish to express a profound gratitude to God for a hitch-free funeral conducted by the Catholic Church”.
The afore excerpt are the words of erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of of the APC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, in a recent statement made available to media houses where he commended the Minister and his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi for honouring ‘Dede’ (as he was fondly called), even in death.
He said the funeral which threw the community agog with the presence of people from all walks of life points to the fact that Ohna Dede Amaechi led a good life worthy of emulation and impacted meaningfully on not just his family and community alone, but all those who came in contact with him and the society in general.
Speaking at the church service, the Chief Mourner, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi said the death of the deceased has created a big vacuum and has placed further responsibility on him.
“He has left us with a huge responsibility that I never imagined would be so soon to confront and a challenge that I lack the capacity to discharge. Chikamkpa, Lemchi, Obinna, Judith and I will find it difficult to come to terms with his death. We can only pray that Dede rests in the bosom of the Lord”.
In his remarks, Plateau state Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, who represented both the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the Northern Governors Forum said, the late Charles Amaechi lived a good life worthy of emulation.
In his words, “the late, Sir, Charles Amaechi has done a good work because it is not easy to be a Knight, ours is to emulate him and his contributions to the church of Christ. I am here to represent the Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum, the person of Gov. Kayode Fayemi and also the Northern Governors Forum, which I am the Chairman, to extend our condolences to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for this great loss”.
Lalong, however, donated a 32 seater bus on behalf of the Plateau state government to the church as a mark of remembrance for the good deeds of the deceased.
In her condolence message, Minister of State,Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, said the deceased lived a worthy life bequeathed with legacies for which he would be fondly remembered.
Also speaking, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress ( APC) in Rivers State, Isaac Ogbobula, Esq described the deceased as a perfect gentleman and a devout Christian of the Roman Catholic faith and a Knight of St. Mulumba.
Eze expressed deep commendations to the above important dignitaries and those listed below for showing solidarity with Amaechi and honouring him with their unique presence as he laid his elder brother to rest. They include: the Minister of State for Petroleum, HE. Timipre Sylver, Former Rivers Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, Chief Victor Giadom, former Acting National Chairman of APC, Sen. Akpan Udoedehe, Secretary National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the APC. Dr. Alex Otti, former Abia State Governorship Candidate of APGA. Prof Stephen Okodudu, Ag. VC, UNIPORT, Prof Ugboma, CMD, UPTH and Hon. Asita Honourable Asita, Chairman NIMASA Board.
Others include: Hon. Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Former Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Hon. Ephraim Nwuzi Member Representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency
Hon. Chisom Dike, Lawmaker representing Eleme/Oyigbo/Tai Federal Constituency of Rivers State at the Federal House of Representatives.
while H. E. Ambassador Ngofa sent a Representative as he was still at Netherlands on official duties
H. E. Amb. Maureen Tamuno PhD
Dr. Dawari George. hon. Ogbo Nwuke, Hon. Chidi Frank Wihioka all former Members House Of Representative.
Engr. Fidet Okhiria Chairman/CEO Nigerian Railway cooperation.
Dr. Bashir Jamoh, DG/CEO of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),
Chf Akin Ricketts
Chairman of the NPA Board,
Mohammed Bello-Koko
Executive Director – Finance and Administration, NPA
Hon. Onari Brown, ED Marina and Operations of NPA,
Hon. Aso Wene, Commissioner at RMAFC
Alhaji Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers Council
Dr. Sokonte Davies, former Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA). Ex-CTC Chair, APC, Rivers.
Prof Owunari Abraham Georgewill, Amaechi’s strong Ally
Hon. David Okumgba, South South Zonal Secretary of APC,
Dr. Davies Ikanya Ibiamu erstwhile RS ACP Chairman
Hon. Ojukaye Flag Amachreee, erstwhile State Chairman of APC
Hon. Azibike Wanjoku Amaechi’s strong Ally.
Hon. Chief Emeka Beke, erstwhile Secretary, APC, Rivers State,
High Chief/Barr. Ezemonye Ezekiel Amadi Obanu-Ezems
Apostle Eugene Ogu, General Overseer of Abundant Life Evangelical Mission Worldwide,
Barr. Achi Godwin William-Wobodo a strong ally of Amaechi’s
Chief Dr Mike Nwieiaghi, Amaechi’s strong Ally
Hon. Chibike Ikenga Leader APC Ikwerre LGA
Hon. ThankGod Ohaekwe Chairman Ikwerre LGA Empowerment And Employment Committee
Hon Kirian Wobodo Former Chairman Ikwerre LGA
Hon. Welendu Amadi Former Chairman Ikwerre LGA
Hon. Chizi Nyeomasila, Amaechi’s strong Ally
Barr. Reginald Okwuoma, APC leader, Etche Local Government Area
Fortune Oguru, Hon. Ike Chinwo, Caroline Nagbo and Mr. John O. Enebeli all strong allies of Amaechi
State And LGA Leadership Of NYLC
Representatives of PDP leadership in Ikwerre Local Government Area
Representatives of APC Leadership from Emohua Local Government Area
Representatives of Hon/Dr Oyirindah Chris Amadi who came with loads of food items
Pastors / Men And Women Of God From ddifferent Denominations amongst countless dignitaries attended the epoch making event.
Eze specifically commended and congratulated Hon. Asita Honourable Asita, Chairman NIMASA Board and his Team for organising and setting up the venues for the events.
Eze berated some of those mentored and assisted by Dede under the political family of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for shunning his funeral, his good deeds to them notwithstanding.
He said the event presented a fantastic opportunity for the reconciliation of all conflicting interests within the APC and the larger political family of Amaechi but expressed disappointment that the window was never utilised.
Eze expressed happiness that with the calibre of APC members that attended the event coupled with the defection of some PDP Federal Lawmakers to the APC, it clearly shows that the Rivers APC under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Dr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not only intact, united but ready to take over the Brick House come 2023
Sir Charles Amaechi passed on at 64 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I pray that God grant his soul eternal rest and those of us he left behind the fortitude to bear his sudden departure.
Ends
Signed
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
APC Chieftain & former National Publicity Secretary, nPDP
15 – 09 – 20
