Governor Ugwuanyi renames Enugu premier lodge Zik’s center
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has described, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, as a great scholar, a foremost nationalist, an outstanding and inspirational leader.
He said this in Enugu while inaugurating the, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe Center for Historical Monument, an old Premier Lodge of the Eastern Region, situated in Enugu..
The center is meant to host among others: Zik’s interviews, a showcase of his leadership qualities, the exhibition of his life, scholarly awards, media releases in form of documentaries and movies, and his dress.
The governor said the center was conceived to serve as a historical, educational, cultural, and tourist monument in honour of the great Zik of Africa.
Ugwuanyi said he was pleased that his administration came up with the idea which started five years ago.
According to him, there was a need for people to appreciate past leaders for their contributions and efforts for the well-being of the country.
Speaking, Mr Chukwuemelie Agu, General Manager, Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC), thanked the governor for remodeling the center which had earlier been earmarked for demolition.
According to him, the place served as the official office of the Great Zik of Africa, while the other side was his residential home known then as, Premier Lodge.
Agu said the center would preserve the lyrics and history of the Premier of the then Eastern Region, adding that, the corporation had placed a high premium on preserving his relics such as shoes, eyeglasses and cloths
“ESHDC is highly privileged and excited to be part of this memorable and historical project,” he said.
Also, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, thanked Ugwuanyi for preserving the great works of Zik.
Achebe said the center would help to uphold the legacies of their son, Owelle of Onitsha.
He stressed that the gesture was not ordinary, particularly in Nigeria where people easily forgot the efforts and suffering of past leaders.
“Children coming behind us will not know about Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Michael Okpara, and others unless they visit centers like this to appreciate their efforts, legacies, and philosophies.
“With this, they will emulate their leadership principles and sense of humanity, so that in future more like them will be emerged,” he said.
Achebe lauded the Federal Government for reintroducing History into the school curriculum.
“It is the worst policy decision a nation can make by denying their people the knowledge of their history and place.
“It is common knowledge that the most effective way to conquer a nation is not by a physical army like Russia, the real conquest is when you deny people the sense of their history, language, and culture.
“That was what Colonial Masters did to us but Zik and others fought for it but we Nigerians subsequently denied ourselves history, ” Achebe said.
Prof. Uche Azikiwe, wife of the late sage, speaking on behalf of the family, said the family would not forget what the governor did for them.
“The center is going to be a legacy project in Enugu and a center where anybody visiting Enugu will come to see as well as a tourist attraction for many, ” she said.