Ikedife buried in Nnewi as Peter Obi mourns

The remains of late former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife was, yesterday, buried at his home town, Otolo Nnewi, in Nnewi North Local Government Area Anambra State.

Inspite of short notice about his death on Tuesday December 11, 2018 and burial on Wednesday December 12, 2018, thousands of sympathizers from all parts of South East and beyond, particularly his medical doctor colleagues gathered in his house to pay their last respect.

Also his Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Old Boys Association members were also present in their uniform to pay their last respect to late Dr Ikedife.

In his comment, elder statesman and First Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi described his death as a big loss to Ndigbo in particular and Nigeria in general.

“As a professional he excelled in his medical practice, saving the lives of countless number of mothers. As a nationalist he believed in one strong Nigeria, he also believed that in that strong Nigeria, that Ndigbo must be on equal status with the rest of other ethnic groups in the country.

That is why he believed in the struggle of the youths who are now agitating for the restoration of Biafra, he never believed in violence, he believed that in a situation like this struggle, it behoves on the Federal Government to come down and listen yo the people and find out what the people want.

“The younger generation don’t like the way the Igbo are being treated in Nigeria, so it is the duty of government to listen to them and possibly arrange for plebiscite or referendum.”

First son of Chief Ikedife, Mr Dozie Okedife(Jnr) said that the family was consoled that their father did not bury any of his children.

He said their father was a lucky man, adding that it is a happy thing that his children are burying him.

“Considering his age at 88 years, it should be a celebration of life. He actually dictated what should be done for him when he died. We his children and family are trying to do things according to his wishes.

“Our father has real tight family, we have a very good family unit. However, my father left real big shoes and it will be actually difficult for us to fill. He achieved a lot of things in life. We will preserve and maintain his legacies, that is his desire.

“I’m surprised at the number of people attracted to the burial because of the publicity given to his death. We are surprised at the number of people that came to pay their last respect.”

In a sermon by Rev. Fr. Udemba, he described late Chief Ikedife as a detrabalized Nigerian, whose life was like a photograph, very clear, transparent and built on truth.

“Unlike any Igbo man who is known, you can never sign any paper before you see him. This was a man who always had his gate. If you want to see him for any thing and you brought gift or wine he would tell you to go back with it and come back later so that you would not think he would assist you because of your gift. You could not buy him with anything.

“Unlike our schools, churches and government, you can get anything from late Chief Ikedife without any interest. Our prayer is that somebody will bear the same character Chief Ikedife possessed.

“Late Dozie Ikedife was an intellectual. He could work the street without fear of kidnap.” Rev Fr Udemba explained

Present at the burial were Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Prof Pita Ejiofor, Prof Elocjukwu Amucheazi, Prof. Solo Chkwulobelu, Chief Onyeabo Obi, Chief Dan Ulasi, Chief Ajulu Uzodike, Prof. Robinson Ofiaeli, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, Prof Charles Anazodo, among others.

Obi mourns Ex-Ohanaeze President-General, Dozie Ikedife •Hails invaluable contributions

The Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, has lamented as truly painful, the passing away of Dr. Dozie Ikedife, an elder statesman and former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Obi, the immediate past governor of Anambra State, described Dr. Ikedife, who died on Tuesday evening, December 11, 2018, at his Nnewi residence in Anambra, as an exemplary leader who effectively used his sterling qualities to advance the cause of the Igbo man and his country.

Obi said Wednesday in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Barrister Valentine Obienyem: “Dr. Ikedife’s invaluable contributions towards the advancement and development of Nnewi, Anambra State, the South East and Nigeria will forever be remembered with fond memories. He wasn’t just the President-General of Ohanaeze. During my time as governor of Anambra State, he was the Chairman of the Elders’ Council that contributed immensely to the successes we recorded in those eight years.

“I consulted him repeatedly and he offered top assistances like a very dedicated father to the glory of dear state. It’s so sad that he is gone.”

Obi lamented that the experience and knowledge of the patriarch will be sorely missed in this critical moment in Nigeria’s history.

Obi mourned with the Ikedife family, Ohanaeze and Nigeria, praying “that God grants the soul of the departed icon an eternal rest as well as provide the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”