A Pathfinder for Hope: Tribute to Late Chukwuma Bamidele Azikwe -By Chris Chukwubuzor Azuka

“Be ashamed to die
until you have won
some victory for humanity”– Horace Mann

Today, May 10, 2016 marks the first anniversary of the passing of Chief Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha, and trusts on one a task of recollection, particularly the nobility of all that was him, as he toiled for the genuine progress and advancement of Ndigbo, Nigeria, and Africa.

It was in November 2014, a few days after the august visit to the “Innosi Onira” by the then APC presidential aspirant, General Muhammadu Buhari that I called Owelle Bamidele Azikiwe, having seen the reportage of the November 4 visit. General Buhari had visited the country home of Nigeria’s founding president, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe, the Great ZIK of Africa to confer with his eldest son who was also his close friend.

I told Owelle that Gen. Buhari, in my honest estimation, was a very disciplined and courageous leader who can sanitise the polity by breaking away from the past; from the established tradition of greed, propaganda, falsehood and outright criminality that have characterised the business of governance in Nigeria over the decades. Owelle retorted; “that is true, but will our people (Ndigbo) understand it that way.” Then he lamented almost hopelessly, “Ndi be anyi ayata eme ifa eji achi anyi ochi”, meaning; “our people will probably do that which makes others to laugh at us.”

When I arrived the “Innosi Onira” a few days later on his invitation, Owelle Azikiwe welcomed me with open arms. After exchanging pleasantries, he asked if I had read what he sent to my email account. I replied in the affirmative. He then sought to know my thoughts on the controversies surrounding the Second Niger Bridge. I expressed deep frustration on the matter and pointed out that the Igbo nation was becoming too complacent politically. Owelle then asked rhetorically, “how could a people continue to follow a man blindly for six years, with nothing to show for it and yet be unwilling to reevaluate themselves?”

President Jonathan had flagged off the construction of the bridge on March 10, 2014 after five years in office – in what was a “Ground Breaking Fraud” as the project was not even captured in the budget. So by the time I met Owelle in November 2014, three months to the 2015 presidential election, actual construction works were yet to commence, and South-East roads had become deathtraps among other ruins – yet, some Igbo leaders were already out endorsing Jonathan’s reelection bid. So I asked Owelle, “could it be that these corrupt Igbo leaders are the ones misleading the president?” He retorted quickly, “no, do not say that Chief Azuka, the president knows what he is doing.” Owelle often referred to these Igbo leaders as traders who always put their pockets above the collective dreams of their people.

Meeting and interacting with Owelle in the way we did was a great honour. He was a human encyclopedia who would quote dates, time and figures off-handedly and so effortlessly to authenticate his claims. On my way home, I could not take my mind off some of the startling revelations I learnt that day, especially the issue of capital budget allocations to the six zones under Jonathan’s administration, which produced a shocking disparity against the South-East region.

A very passionate Igbo leader who was deeply troubled by the plight of his people, on December 26th, 2014, one Barr. Arinze Mba and I had accompanied Owelle to Asaba, Delta State where he chaired the “Okogwu Day Celebration.” The head of the Okogwu dynasty, Amb. Leo Okogwu had presented to the public his autobiography, Serving Mankind: The Joys and Pains. On our way back to Onitsha that night, Owelle kept asking for suggestions on way forward for his people. Two days later, he hosted an important meeting in his Chamber, yet the Igbo nation itself was subsequently set ablaze by the prophetic declarations of Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka on the new year eve! Owelle would always say that Father Mbaka spoke the mind of every right-thinking Igbo man and that only dishonest persons would be against the fearless priest.

Owelle Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe was also a charismatic leader and refined diplomat. Just like his father, his vision transcended both ethnic and religious boundaries. In spite of his poor health and the unfavourable political climate, we still took the message of change to many places in Anambra State. But Owelle was even more active on the internet. It is therefore pertinent for President Buhari and the APC not to forget the pains and sacrifices made by Owelle Azikiwe and his ilk in the Igbo nation, and all other enablers of progressive change.

Following President Buhari’s victory in the March 28, 2015 presidential election, Owelle hosted a victory party in his honour on the April 4th, 2015 at Innosi Onira. We prayed for the success of the incoming administration, and Owelle had stated that whoever was hoping to go to the president to seek out for him or herself was nothing other than an unconscionable person, as it was no time for seeking profit but for rebuilding Nigeria. He predicted that the task would be a very tough one. He then invited me and others to join in cutting the victory cake, after which I was asked to make a few remarks to those present. I impressed it upon the audience that Ndigbo can no longer continue to play the blind politics of bitterness and hate, but we ought to reinvent ourselves along the lines of principle, and strategic realignment of interests; and that we must engage in thinking, planning and advancing our objectives through strategic partnerships in Nigeria’s ever evolving political processes.

Sadly, on May 10, 2015, Owelle, a friend and mentor, passed on at 74, after a brief illness – shortly before the inauguration of his friend, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s president. But just as with the night gives way to a new day, his transition is a beacon of hope both for a resplendent transcendental life and for a stronger and more cohesive Nigeria. May the Almighty continue to grant him rest.

Chris Chukwubuzor Azuka is National Coordinator, Save the Dream Nigeria Project; azucomms2000@gmail.com