SALUTE TO AN ICONIC NATION BUILDER

There are iconic nation builders who embody the essence of a generation and who possess the capacity to transmit to successive generations the virtues of their generation. Such nation builders are bridge builders. Nation builders become all the more iconic when they connect young people three or more generations down the line to foundational values.

At SPPG, many classes taught me the lesson of bridging divides but the March 23, 2021 session with Chief Mbazulike Amechi, former Minister of Transport who was then the only surviving Minister from the First Republic modelled it for me in an exceptional manner. Listening to a founding leader who was present at independence was a solemn experience for me. His session unveiled invaluable lessons which the present generation of youth must preserve and deploy even amidst the unfolding democratic process.

From Chief Mbazulike Amechi, I learnt that the youth of a nation can jettison partisan divides and work together across party lines in the interest of the nation even when their political fathers are at daggers drawn. Chief Amechi conveyed this lesson when he narrated to us the collaboration between the youth association of the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC) and the youth wing of Action Group (AG) despite the contentions between the parent parties and their leaders. I found this inspiring when I heard it for the first time from one who was there at the time. It was a reminder that, irrespective of our diversities, the call to build Nigeria requires collaboration across leanings, across generations, across political parties, across ideologies, across ethnic groups, and across religious orientations.

With his session, Chief Mbazulike Amechi set the stage for what was to become a recurrent call to the Class of 2021 - the call for a consensus towards nationhood, development, good governance and accountable leadership. I recall how the class unmuted to give this pioneering leader an elongated round of applause for his service to our nation.

Sir, we salute you! We are confident that this generation of leaders emerging from the SPPG Class of 2021 will build a memorial of good governance upon the foundation of values-driven and courageous leadership that you presented to us. Rest in Peace, Sir, because your labour will not be in vain.

I celebrate your contribution to the quest for a better nation while you were here with us and I'm grateful to have benefited from your wealth of experience as shared during my school year in the SPPG. I pray God grants you sweet repose. Rest in power, sir.

Oh dear, may the soul of Chief Amaechi rest in peace. He was a blessing even till the end. As an Alumna of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG, Pioneer set), I was blessed by Chief's teachings and life experiences as he shared with us during one of our classes in 2021. We have lost a legend indeed.
Adieu sir.

ADIEU DARA!

It is hard to escape a sense of loss as we contemplate the exit of Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Dara Akunwafor a.k.a The Boy Is Good. More so because his, in the words of our father, is a "life that was lived on the credit and not debit side of life". A life of vision, daring and notable achievements, invested in service to his family, community and country.

An acolyte of the great Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who later became the first Nigeria Minster of Aviation in the first Republic. He was to later Chronicle the faultlines of the Nigerian state in his book, "Nigeria: Two Political Amalgams "

He was a father, husband and elder statesman. Dara as he was fondly called, had an irrepressible sense of humour which always left his visitor laughing as he thrilled you with his sparkling wit and anecdotes laced with rich experience.

Very close to his people of Ukpor, he made even the most rustic feel welcome and at home in his presence.

Dara Akunwafor belonged to an elite generation that articulated and fought for the Nigerian dream.

He will be sorely missed.

Dara ije oma!

For: Hon. V.C Ikeotuonye family,

Chris Murphy (Esom) Ikeotuonye

I commiserate with the entire family of Chief, Hon. Mbazulike Amechi, especially, his son, my friend and school mate, Hon. Ikenna on the passing of this great nationalist and light of the Igbo race.

He was a great man who played his role in Nigerian early politics and remained relevant until he went the way of all mortals. We lost a repository of Nigerian early history. Nigeria as a nation and Ndi Igbo in particular have lost a great gem. He lived a blessed and fulfilled life.

May God grant you the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and fill the vacuum he has left. May his gentle soul rest in the bosom of the Lord.
Hon. Justice Chinyere Comfort Ani
Enugu State Judiciary

Doggedness and diligence were the hallmark of Chief Mbazulike Amaechi's life. He was highly sought after because of his experience and his vision of a united Nigeria. Nigeria misses such a rare calibre of man.
Dara Akunwafor was a reliable man. He never minced words or tried to please anyone. He said it as it was. He was true to himself and his God.
May his gentle and amiable soul continue to rest in perfect place in the bossom of our lord God almighty. AMEN!!!!

A Man with a Good Heart.

Sir , I really do not know so much about you and I also didn't have the privilege of meeting you in person but wherever your name has being mentioned , it is always for something good.

My Uncle told his story on the strong role you played to make sure his family had a roof over their heads after the demise of their father.It means a lot to him. Also the assistant you gave to my younger brother during his school research, he had good things to say about you. You were a father to many, a man of integrity and compassionate.
Dara , I now know why the “BOY IS GOOD”.
Continue to rest peacefully Papa.

Your daughter,
Miss Ijeoma Obiatuegwu
Ada Ukpor .

Farewell to an icon.
Late Chief Mbazulike Amechi(Dara Akunwafor)

Death you have done your worst,but that doesn't mean you defeated us.
You can't even take away the Antecedents and legacy of an icon..
Death occurred at early November when God allowed it.
Dara Akunwafor was needed in the Bossom of Abraham in conformity with the 24 Elders in Heaven.
They are waiting to receive a good boy.Dara Akunwafor a historian and Octavia.
I know he mostly needed in heavens abode because of your endowed wisdom.
Dara Akunwafor ibu odogwu nwoke.chukwu jiri ako,na uche choo gi mma.
Izuru ezu na nwoke,ibu anya Ukpor jiri fu uzo,ibu nwoke teghete.
I,High Chief Ndimkora Aloysius (Chiadikobi n'ukpor)wish to commiserate with the entire Amihe village, umunuko,Ukpor for a big iroko tree has fallen.
Take heart Dear Hon Barr Ikenna Amechi and may God continue to console you and give you more strength by making sure Papa is given all his due burial rite.
Agbawodikeizu cry no more and take courage.Akunwafor went to rest ,he will always be there for you and others if your siblings,uncles,sisters etc.
Okpala Agbawodikeizu may God show us mercy during his burial and afterwards.
Dara Akunwafor may your soul rest in Peace.
Adieu The boy is good,
Adieu first Aviation minister.
Adieu lover of freedom.
Adieu last Zikist movement.
Adieu lover of refined igbo culture and traditions.
Adieu lover and projector of mmonwu ozoebini.
Adieu Odogwu ,afa eji eje mba.
Adie onye ukpor ji ka mba nile .
Adieu Papa Ikenna Amechi.
Adieu Nwoke teghete.
Kachifo kachifo kachifo Dara Akunwafor.
I am
High Chief Ndimkora Aloysius
Ezike Chiadikobi n'ukpor.
Umuno village, Umunuko Ukpor.

Dara Akunwafor was a great man.an enigma. He lived an exemplary life. His life; viz a viz his involvement in the zikist movement, an integral part towards actualisation of Nigeria independence was motivational towards youth involvement in Nigeria politics.

I have no doubt, Dara will remain a great man in eternity.
May his soul enjoy smooth sailing to eternity.
Nzekanze