From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has described the death of the Eze Ndigbo of Ibadanland and Oyo State, Dr. Alex Anozie, as a personal loss, saying it was a rude shock and disbelief to him.
Anozie, 74-year-old leader of the Non Indigenes Traditional Council of Ibadan and Oyo State, passed away in his Ososami residence, Ibadan on Tuesday night.
Oba Balogun, in a condolence message through his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, described the late Anozie as a peaceful and peace-loving personality, who used the virtue to ensure good neighbourliness between his Igbo community and their Yoruba hosts.
Anozie, managing director and chief executive officer of CONAC Optical Company in Ibadan, woke up hale and hearty on Tuesday but complained of malaria later in the day. He went to his own laboratory for a malaria test, and got himself treated and reportedly hosted a group of people at a meeting around 6pm on Tuesday.
He was expected to come out on Wednesday morning from his bedroom, but did not come out as usual. It was later discovered that he was dead.
His remains have been taken to his country home in Igboukwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State for his final burial
Olubadan, who recalled the celebration of Anozie’s 26 years of leadership of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural group in June 2023, during which he (Olubadan) commended him for the way he had piloted the affairs of the group, said the Igbo community has lost a rare leader, who would always be remembered for his advocacy for oneness of Nigeria irrespective of tribe, language and religious differences.”
The late Eze Ndigbo, according to Olubadan, faced a lot of challenges, but bore them all with calmness, humility and sense of purpose and these accounted for his success and ability to lead his people for that long.