Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has described the late former Ohaneze Ndigbo President General, Dr. Dozie Ikedife as a ‘consummate and courageous politician’ who was steadfast and diligent in all his live endeavours.
Mourning the demise of the elder statesman who passed, on Tuesday, at the age of 88, Ngige said as a medical doctor, Ikedife was incisive and meticulous in his practice of medicine.
Speaking to Daily Sun, on Wednesday, the minister said, “The loss of Dr. Dozie Ikedife, a distinguished medical practitioner of the Obstetrician and Gynecologist specialty, consummate and courageous politician, has created a very big void in the medical profession and political landscape in the South-East and Nigeria in general.
“Dr. Ikedife practiced gynecology and obstetrics with deep knowledge and deep dedication, he was incisive and meticulous in his practice of medicine and produced tremendous results in his field of medicine hence his private medical practice was called ‘Ike di ego,’ because he charges his professional fees and delivers result.
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“In politics, he made his mark as a Presidential Liaison Officer (PLO) in the Second Republic under the Shehu Shagari regime when he became the chairman of all PLOs and worked hard to deliver the old Anambra State to his party in the 1983 general elections.
“A man of tremendous strength and courage, he also exhibited that as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, a position he got into when I was Governor in Anambra state and we worked together as a very big supporter of my government, to enthroned renaissance and foundation for the new Anambra State.
“Even in his native Nnewi, he played a formidable role of a major custodian of the peoples culture and politics.
“Dr. Ikedife loves his Igbo people and that was why he muted the idea of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) which has no violent turn but one that will use persuasion get equity and justice for the Igbos of the former Eastern region of Nigeria.
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“He has played his part, like Macbeth said, he is now leaving the stage but with a very loud ovation, may the good lord comfort his family, Anambra State and the Igbo and Nigeria and give them the strength to accept this inevitable loss.”
On the lessons to learn from the live of Ikedife Ngige said, “Nigerians should learn that it is good to be steadfast and it is good also to be diligent in any assignment you accept to do on behalf of your people. Ikedife wasn’t a tribalist, he was a nationalist but who believed in equity and justice.
“He never moved around from one party to the other as a politician, he believed in progressive politics and that was why he identified with our party, the All Progressives Congress and Muhammadu Buhari as President.”