The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and the immediate past Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, and others have eulogised a former governor of the state, late Chinwoke Mbadinuju, whose remains were laid to rest on Friday.
The burial ceremony, which was held at the deceased country home in Uli, Ihala Local Government Area of the state, was the culmination of a three-day funeral activities held for the former governor, who ruled the state between 1999 to 2003.
Both Soludo and Ngige, while speaking at the funeral said the late Mbadinuju was a good man who lived an impactful life at a critical time in the state.
Soludo said, “Mbadinuju lived a very quality and impactful life and left many legacies which the only way to sustain was to keep them on.
“Anambra State is a difficult state to govern and Mbadinuju came at a critical time. I was living in Enugu State during his tenure and coming to Anambra State was fearful and something else.
“The deceased established the Anambra State Vigilante to fight crimes, which were at an all-time high. He founded Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University and also built the popular Alex Ekwueme Square.
“He called us for prayers every Monday and he said it shall be well with Ndi Anambra. Everyday, he starts with prayers.
“With every odd, he tasked himself, even when people were criticising his government for closing schools for a year. Anambra will never forget his impactful life.”
Ngige, on his part, also described Anambra State as a difficult state to govern, noting that Mbadinuju came at the most difficult time in the state.
According to him, Mbadinuju governed the state during a difficult period, yet left many legacies for the state.
Also speaking, the Anglican Bishop of Awka diocese, Dr Alexander Ibezim said Mbadinuju tried his best when he was governor of the state.
He called on politicians to learn from the deceased, noting that one day, they will die too.
“Anambra State is a difficult state to govern even for one day, and not to talk of about four years. Mbadinuju tried his best. This is a lesson for all politicians that one day, they will be lying like this. Always use public funds for public good,” he added.
In a vote of thanks, one of the deceased’s children, Cheta Mbadinuju, described his father as a shining light they had in the family and conveyed special gratitude to Soludo for the modest and fitting burial held for their father.
He recalled that in the past 20 years, their family felt like there was a cloud over their heads as a result of the bad narrative peddled against their father.
He asked the people to imbibe the lesson of not complaining about how bad a situation is and encouraged them not to continue running away from their homes but to look on the brighter side of life.
A former governor of the state, Peter Obi; Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze; Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Patricia Obila; Director General, South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife; the member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency, Dr Paschal Agbodike; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and members of the state executive council, were among others that attended the event.
