Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has described the late Ezeogo Dr Anagha Ezikpe, a founding father of the state, as a great man who made indelible marks on the sands of time.
Ezikpe was buried in his country home, Nymph Castle, Abiriba, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, on Wednesday, after a funeral service at Egwuena Girls’ Secondary School.
According to him, the contributions of the deceased to the founding of Abia State are well known.
The Governor noted that Ezikpe made his marks on the medical profession where he was a pioneer, as well as on the political firmament, adding that he enjoyed a warm personal relationship with him.
Ikpeazu regretted that the vacuum created by his demise will be difficult to fill and urged the Abiriba Community and those that came in contact with the deceased to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
He urged the deceased’s family to take pride in the sterling achievements of their father and continue to fly the flag of excellence hoisted by Ezikpe.
Also extolling the life and times of Ezikpe, a former military Vice President of Nigeria, Retired Navy Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, said that the deceased contributed immensely to the politics and affairs of the state, where he played a pivotal role in the development of the health sector with outstanding landmarks in general medicine and service to humanity.
Ukiwe also described him as one of the most important sons of the Abiriba Kingdom.
On his part, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, said that the late elder statesman, Dr Anagha Ezikpe, contributed to the state creation and bequeathed the charter of equity to Abians.
Oko Chukwu also described him as a principled and disciplined personality that left a mark in the political and medical advancement of Abia State and beyond.
He pointed out that Dr. Ezikpe distinguished himself as a patriot that was always part of the governance of the state in his capacity as the Chairman Abia State Advisory Council.
The Deputy Governor further noted that apart from promoting peaceful Coexistence among Abians he was very selfless, devout Christian and a promoter of the tradition of Abiriba Kingdom and urged the family and Abians to sustain the sterling legacies he believed and stood for while praying God to grant his soul eternal rest.
