Chidoka, Obi Extol Nwankwo NADECO Chieftain Virtues At Burial
Prominent Nigerians have paid glowing tributes to late Arthur Nwankwo, an activist and former vice chairman of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) who was buried in his country home, Ajali, Orumba North Local Government of Anambra.
Chief Osita Chidoka, a former minister of aviation said Nwankwo was a true democrat who had strong principles and stood rule of law and equality for all.
Chidoka who said the deceased was a great author and publisher who used his Fourth Dimension and African Viewpoint publishing company to chronicle history of Africans and told their story from African point of view
He said he was a great Igbo son who fourth for the best for his people but also an idea driven politician who worked with people of like minds devoid of political and religious considerations.
He said the best to immortalise Nwankwo who already immortalised himself in his books was to uphold his strong principles.
According to him, nobody would have heard the Igbo version of Biafran War, most lecturers at the University of Nigeria Nsukka may not have become professors if he did not make his publishing company available to them to publish their works
“He was a great man, he joined in forming NADECO and was in the forefront of the struggle for restoration of June 12, he was also in Peoples Redemption Party against the popular party at that time.
“So burying Arthur Nwankwo does not mean burying his ideas and what he represents to Igbo nation,” he said.
In his tribute, Chief Peter Obi former governor of Anambra said Nigeria had lost a great patriot whom Nigerians had a lot to learn about and emulate.
Obi commiserated with members of the family and urged to be proud about the role their departed patriot played in the history Nigeria and people of the South East political region.
“He was a democrat, Nigeria has a lot to learn from what he stood for,” he said.
On his part, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Chairman of National Electoral Commission (NEC) who is also and indigene of Ajali said Nwankwo was his childhood friend who studied the same discipline with him.
Nwosu said Nwankwo’s strong democratic belief was why he joined forces with other activitists in NADECO as vice Chairman in the struggle for restoration of June 12, 1993 mandate of Moshood Abiola.
He said he enjoyed the deceased support in the electoral reforms he carried out between 1989 and 1993 adding that Nwankwo believed Abiola won in spite the cancellation but the military government.
“Arthur was my friend, my colleague, age mate and village mate, we grew up together, though we are mourning but we are also rejoicing because death is not the end of life but the beginning of life in eternity.
“The best way to immortalise his is to have true democracy where every citizen is equal and protected,” he said.
Arthur Nwankwo jnr, first son of the deceased described his father as a humorous, loving father who had such sense of history .
He said he would be sorely missed by the family but they were consoled because they believe he resting in the bossom of the Lord.
In his sermon, Ven. Ifeanyi Ogbueli said everyone should lead their lives in service of God and humanity.
Late Nwankwo was born in 1939 and holds a masters degree in Arts from Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He was the Chancellor of Eastern Mandate Union and governorship candidate in Anambra and delegate to Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group in 1997.
Nwankwo died on Feb. 1 at the age of 81 years and was survived by two children.
