Ozigbo Celebrates Late Zik Of Africa
Mr Valentine Ozigbo, the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November governorship election in Anambra State, has extolled the leadership qualities of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first indigenous Governor-General and President of Nigeria.
Ozigbo who spoke to journalists after the combined 9th and 10th Zik Lecture Series held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka on Tuesday.
He said Zik’s enduring example of a generational leader remained a legend unmatched” decades after his death.
“Zik of Africa embodied what we would expect in an authentic leader, and I am glad that his tall legend lives on,” Ozigbo, the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, said.
“In every sense, Dr Azikiwe was a generational thinker and inspiring leader, and he continues to influence new generations more than two decades after he passed away.
“While he was alive, Zik lived for humanity, and his entire life was driven by serve and the greater good of all. A true humanitarian, he set a standard for investment in the future by prioritising the education of those who came after him.
“Zik is a true legend, and it is almost impossible to speak of him as if he is gone because his impact is still being felt. He is one of those who inspired me to public service.
“It is disappointing that with a forerunner like Zik of Africa, we would suffer this untold level of leadership deficit. The urgent question before Nigeria, and the Igbo nation especially is, ‘Who is the next Zik?’
Ozigbo, who was second in the just concluded Anambra governorship election, said if Nigerian leaders were half of what Zik was, the country would have been a better place.
Ozigbo commended Sen. Ben Obi, a Chieftain of the PDP who is a member of the Board of Trustees of the party, declaring that sustaining the annual lecture in honour of Zik, Obi’s mentor, is “an act of selflessness and love that will be rewarded”.
Azikiwe, who hailed from Onitsha, Anambra was born on Nov.16, 1904,
He died in 1996.
He was one of Nigeria’s founding fathers and one of the most prominent advocates for African nationalism.
Gov. Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State, gave the keynote address at the lecture, with the theme “Security, Governance and Nation Building” while Gov.Dave Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi State, represented by his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, chaired the occasion.
Ozigbo was a special guest at the event, which had the widow of the late icon, Professor Uche Azikiwe and his son, Mr Uwakwe Azikiwe in attendance.
