Residents of Umuahia, Abia state have added their voice to the call on governors of South-East zone and the federal government to declare the 16th of November, every year, as a public holiday, in memory of the first president of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
A legal practitioner, Mr Paul Achara, who recounted the many achievements of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe as the Premier of Eastern region and later as the first President of independent Nigeria, expressed dismay that governors of South East Zone were still foot-dragging in declaring the November 16th, as a public holiday in their respective states.
“Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was a trailblazer, having established Nigeria’s first indigenous bank, African Continental Bank for economic empowerment of our people and Nigeria’s first indigenous university, University of Nigeria at Nsukka, for the intellectual advancement of his beloved countrymen, among other monumental achievements in liberating Nigeria from colonial rule.”
Mr Achara commended the Anambra state government for taking the lead on the matter having declared work-free day on 16th of November, for three consecutive years now and urged other governors and leaders of OHANEZE NDIGBO to support this initiative.
Also speaking, a University teacher, Dr Ezennanya Nwopara called on President Muhammadu Buhari to honour the late Zik of Africa with a national public holiday in line with the solemn pledge to honour our heroes past.
“The president honoured MKO Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi and other pro-democracy activists. It will be well appreciated if he can honour the memory of the Great Zik with a national day of remembrance, so that the labours of our heroes past will not be in vain”, he said.
Dr Nwopara applauded the president for completing the magnificent Mausoleum of the late sage at Onitsha, which was abandoned by previous administrations.
Reported by Ejiofo Umegbogu.