Gov. Ikpeazu mourns, as Ezikpe, one of Abia’s founding fathers, dies on Christmas Day

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Elder statesman, Ezeogo Dr. Anagha Ezikpe, one of the founding fathers of Abia State, has passed on.

92-year Ezikpe died on Christmas day at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where he was rushed to on Wednesday, December 23, 2021 after slumping at the Office of the Secretary to the State Government where he had gone to preside over a meeting of the Abia Advisory Council of which he was the chairman.

At FMC, sources said Ezikpe died of multiple brain injuries he sustained after slumping and was not able to survive the surgeries to remove the blood clot in his brain due to old age.

 It was gathered that he relapsed into coma and had to be placed on life support (oxygen) and monitored closely until Christmas Day when doctors confirmed him dead.

The sad news of the demise of the last of Abia patriots was broken to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu at his Aba Lodge by a high-powered delegation from Abiriba , led by no less a personality than the paramount ruler of Abiriba Ancient Kingdom, the Enachoken of Abiriba, Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu.

Other Monarchs who accompanied the Enachioken on the visit include the Effa of Agboji Abiriba, Eze Benjamin Uche, Ukpaghari Amaogudu, Eze Eme Uguru and Ali Oke Ihungwu, Eze Ukiwe Otisi.

Also, the newly elected President-General of Abiriba Communal Improvement Union, Chief Charles Ochu Ejieke, Nnanna Anagha Ezikpe, Uba Anagha Ezikpe and former chairman of Aba North LGA, Chief James Agbagha Ochunkwo, were part of the delegation.

First son of the deceased nonagenarian, Mr George Ezikpe, announced the death of his father to the Governor and thanked him for caring for his father whom he described as “the best among fathers.”

On receiving the shocking news, Ikpeazu expressed deep pains and sadness over the death of the elder statesman.

The Governor who was joined by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, an indigene of Abiriba, Chairman of Ohafia Local Government, Dr Okoroafor Ukiwe, and businessman, Elder Raymond Aliga, described the late elder Ezikpe as his mentor who taught him many virtues during their meetings.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, on Monday quoted Ikpeazu as saying:

“Ezeogo has no copies available, so where are we going to find another Ezeogo? Where are we going to find people that are so frank, so selfless, so transparent, so bold, so committed to the service of other people, the community, and the society?”

“Such people as Ezeogo are very rare to find and cannot be replaced. A big pillar of support for this state has collapsed.”

However, the Governor, according to the statement, seemed consoled by the fact that God blessed Ezeikpe with long life: “92 years is not 92 days; it is in our selfishness that we wish that he continues to stay, but in this world of today, to live to 92 is not an easy thing.

“I am personally consoled by the fact that at 92, we think that God, first, was gracious to allow us be part of that blessing called Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe, particularly the Abiriba Community that produced him.

“He will remain a shining light, a mentor for the younger ones, including myself, so that we will continue to pray to God almighty to give us the kind of wisdom he gave to him, give us the kind of courage he gave to him to speak the truth at all times irrespective of what the matter was about, and also give us the opportunity and privilege to be part of history in our community and society just like he was.

“For him to be the first host of PDP in Abia State, for him to be a founding father and a signatory to the creation of Abia State, these are no mean feats but epoch making events that history will not forget easily. It is my prayer even as I commiserate with the Abiriba Community, the immediate family and Ndị Abịa, that we take solace in the fact that there is a better place, and our Ezeogo is eminently qualified for a prime place on the banquet table with the Lord.”

For the Governor, “Ezeogo died in active service, he died in active service because I have interrogated the Secretary to the State Government who hosts the highest decision making body of elders in our State, I asked him why he didn’t take the venue of the meetings to Ezeogo’s house? He said Ezeogo wouldn’t have that. In fact, it was Ezeogo that summoned and presided over the meetings, but that he had a place in the office of the SSG where they usually met. So, Ezeogo deserves a State burial, Ezeogo deserves for us to roll out the ‘Ịkọrọ Ukwu’ if we have any in Abia, because he was our best.”

Born 2nd February, 1930, Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe was a renowned medical doctor and had established the popular Alaoma hospital in Umuahia which was one of the pioneer providers of mortuary services in the city and environs.