Following the death, yesterday, of elder statesman, parliamentarian and First Republic minister of education, Pa Mbazulike Amechi, pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, renewed its call for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.

Amechi, the last standing member of the Zikist Movement of the pre-independence era, died in the early hours of the day, the aftermath of an illness at the age of 93.

A statement announcing the death by his son reads, “With total deference to the will of the Almighty God, the Ume Amechi, Ezeana Ihinede families and the Umu Mmara kindred of Amihe Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State announce the peaceful transition of our illustrious son, father and grandfather, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor), Nationalist and First Republic Minister of Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who transitioned peacefully in the early hours of today, November 1, 2022.

“We thank God for the fulfilled life that he lived, the lives that he touched, and his service to God and country. We respectfully ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this time.”

In reaction, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement by its secretary-general, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, declared that late Pa Amechi’s last wish to see Kanu released from incarceration, adding that this can be achieved now that he’s dead.

It advised that Southeast governors should take over the burial arrangements of the late Pa Amechi, “as Ndigbo will observe four market days of mourning starting tomorrow 2nd November 2022 (today), in line with the established Igbo traditional rights to mourn outstanding men and women.”

The group said now that the elder statesman is dead, “let the news of his demise touch the heart of the President to accord the wishes of the last Zikist and First Minister of Aviation to release Nnamdi Kanu from confinement.”

According to it, “President Buhari has the exceptional opportunity to rewrite history and Buhari’s best tribute to the late elder statesman should be the presidential pardon and release of the IPoB leader Nnamdi Kanu from custody, and we believe that Kanu will honor the bargaining agreement of Mbazulike Amechi.”

Ohanaeze, in a statement by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said it received the news of the death of Amechi as a rude shock, “but we are consoled that he has paid his dues to Africa and Nigeria in particular.

“It was Mbazulike Amechi that protected former South African President, Nelson Mandela in his countryside in Anambra when Mandela’s life was in danger in the 80s, he has been at the forefront of intervention for Africans who are in danger over genuine causes and legitimate reasons”.

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“Southeast governors should take over the burial arrangements of the late Pa Mbazulike Amechi, as Ndigbo will observe four market days of mourning starting tomorrow 2nd November 2022 in line with the established Igbo traditional rights to mourn outstanding men and women.

Meanwhile, condolences raged yesterday as leaders took turns to mourn Amechi, who died aged 93.

President Muhammadu Buhari extended heartfelt condolences to the Amechi family; the government and people of Anambra State, as well as Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the passing of Amechi.

The president, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said he joined them and other Nigerians “in mourning a great patriot who believed deeply in a united Nigeria, and continued to work for its progress, undeterred by his age and personal circumstances.”

Condolences also came from frontline citizens, including Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo; Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, as well as pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, among others.

Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday expressed sadness over the death of elder statesman and First Republic aviation minister, Mbazulike Amechi.

Soludo described the late Amechi as an outstanding patriot and nationalist who served the nation diligently.

“The late elder statesman lived an impactful and exemplary life worthy of commendation.
“He was a renowned nationalist, an active and staunch voice in the Zikist movement as well as an accomplished elder statesman,’’ Soludo wrote.

The governor stated that the death of Amechi was not just a loss to his community, Ukpor, Anambra State, but also a monumental loss to Ndigbo and the Nigerian nation.

In a statement by his Media Office yesterday in Abuja, entitled, “And the last of the titans departs,” Ngige declared the death of Mbazulike as “an end of an era , the exit of the last of  the titans from the firmament  of the old Eastern Region

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 2021 election in the state, Valentine Ozigbo, expressed shock over Amechi’s death.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, said the huge debt the present generation owes Mbazulike and his contemporaries in the liberation of Nigeria from the manacles of imperialism, is to ensure a nation where equity, justice and inclusivity, which are the ingredients of peace and progress reign supreme.

“May God Almighty shine his perpetual light on Mbazulike Amechi,” he said.