SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO

IDE, CHIEF (DR.) ALEX IFEANYỊCHUKWU EKWUEME

           By Oko Progressive Union, USA

IDE, Chief (Dr.) Alex Ifeanyịchukwu Ekwueme is a man who travels more than he sounds.  He is a resounding philosopher, a naturally selfless great leader, a gentle and quiet statesman, a pillar that holds and molds a nation, the one and only first elected Executive Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a recipient of  the Order of the Republic of Guinea and Nigeria, the second highest national honours in Nigeria, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), a world acclaimed architect, a pragmatic icon, an authentic visionary, and an outstanding, impeccable son of the soil among his people.

IDE, your children (Ụmụ-Oko), whose lives you have touched in one way or the other and/or have most compassionately aided to further their education at home (Nigeria) or abroad (North America; Europe, and other various parts of the world), salute you for everything you have done for them, and our home country, Nigeria, and the Oko community in particular.

Your magnanimity in and towards Oko community is innumerable, but let’s just mention a few.

You made it possible for many, in the hundreds if not thousands, to get education through scholarships at home and abroad, and at all levels of learning, from secondary school, to university, and graduate education.

The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, (Okopoly), which enables young men and women not only from Oko but from all over the country to get post-secondary education, was made possible by you.

You chaired and pioneered the establishment of Oko Community Hospital which was the primary source of healthcare for not only the Oko community but a good portion of the South Eastern region, in the ‘70’s and ‘80s.  

Several businesses and industries which provided employment and products to the masses and professionals alike, including Allustar Company, Ltd, an aluminum doors and windows industry, initially based in Oko and later morphed into the present day Robertson Aluminium in Enugu; Pal Breweries Industrial Ltd, a beverages brewing business; Chuck Valleys Hotels Ltd  and the Model chain in the hospitality industry; Emerald Travel Agency in the travel industry; and electrification of the community.

Your contributions to Ndi Igbo, Nigerian polity, and beyond are many and varied and are not the subject of this piece, except to note that with those contributions to mankind, you not only put Oko prominently in the “map”, but you also brought pride and joy to Oko community and became a source of inspiration and aspirations to us all.

Above hall, you provided mentorship to all in terms of education and life as a whole.

IDE, your achievements as well as your accomplishments, are quite many and very extensive. Your people, ndi-Oko are very proud of you. Ala-Igbo is very proud of you. Nigeria is very proud of you. Africa is very proud of you, and the whole world is very proud of you. IDE, may it be well with you and your family. May the Lord God Almighty keep you, and richly bless you and yours. May He reimburse you multi-million folds for all your love, compassion, and kindness to us (ndị-Oko) in particular, and the entire humanity in general.  IDE, you are a great father (Ala n’azụ nwa), whose breast of guarding and guiding your people and humanity have yielded recounted blessings and dividends all over the world.  IDE, IJE UWA DỊKWARA GỊ NMA! NDỤ NDỤ, NKA NKA OOOOO!!!!!

IDE, you value education, and you very much identify with your people. Your love and irresistible quest for education inspired you once again to establish for mankind, the one and only Ekwueme Memorial Trust Fund through which you offered thousands of scholarships to numerous students around the globe, including many of us, (Umu-Oko).

Your educational philosophy and mission have provided many of us, with creative opportunities to pursue our passion and professionalism in life, and encouraged us to find our natural talents and destiny; and above all, you have provided a room for many of us to go beyond the confines of our own life’s unforeseen circumstances. Thank you, Sir!   IDE, ANWỤKWANA GBOOOOOO! We all hail and acclaim you, His Excellency, IDE, Chief (Dr.) Alex Ifeanyịchukwu Ekwueme.  

History and posterity must be fair to IDE, Dr. Alex Ifeanyịchukwu Ekwueme because both his private and public records are clean; and they are speaking for themselves.  He has served Nigeria and humanity well, and continues to do same in every area of his endeavor. IDE, you are a people-oriented person, a man of peace, and a great philanthropist who has empowered his native home country, Oko, and other communities.

Irrevocably, may the legacy of IDE of Nigeria linger stronger forever more, in Jesus Name!  IDE, may all your contributions and services to humanity, your achievements, your visions, your philosophies, and your whole lineage endure forever in Jesus Mighty Name! Amen! Long live IDE of Nigeria, Long live IDE of Agụata/Orumba, Long live IDE of Oko, and Long live IDE of Ala Igbo!!!!!!    “OKO KWENỤ! KWENỤ!! KWEZUENỤ 000000!!!!!.”


On behalf of the Oko Progressive Union – USA, a.k.a., Ụmụ-Oko in diaspora,

signed:

/s/ R.A. Nwajiaku            /s/ B.O.Ezeosim                /s/ Afam Okonkwo

Mr. Raphael Nwajiaku            Sir Bonny Osita Ezeosim        Dr. Afam Okonkwo    

Chief Coordinator            Coordinator/Secretary            Financial Secretary


₰Compliment of: Chief (Dr.) Boniface O. Ezechukwu {OMEUDO}₰