Late Arthur Nwankwo, elder-statesman and former Vice Chairman of the defunct National Democratic Coalition, was on Thursday buried in his country home, Ajali, Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State.
Nwankwo died on February 1 at the age of 81 years.
Prominent Nigerians, including former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; and Chief Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, paid glowing tributes to late Nwankwo.
In his tribute, Obi said Nigeria had lost a great patriot whom they had a lot to learn about and emulate.
Obi commiserated with members of the family and urged them to be proud of the role their departed patriot played in the history of Nigeria and people of the South East political region.
“He was a democrat, Nigeria has a lot to learn from what he stood for,” he said.
Chidoka, in his tribute, said Nwankwo was a true democrat who had strong principles and stood for the rule of law and equality for all.
Chidoka said the deceased was a great author and publisher who used his Fourth Dimension and African Viewpoint publishing company to chronicling of history and telling of African story by Africans.
He said he was a great Igbo son who fought for the best interest of his people and also an idea-driven politician, who worked with people of like minds devoid of political and religious considerations.
He said the best way to immortalise Nwankwo who already immortalised himself in his books was to uphold his strong principles.
Chidoka said: “He was a great man, he joined in forming NADECO and was in the forefront of the struggle for restoration of June 12, he was also in Peoples Redemption Party against the popular party at that time.
“So burying Arthur Nwankwo does not mean burying his ideas and what he represents to Igbo nation.”
On his part, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, who is also an indigene of Ajali, said Nwankwo was his childhood friend who studied the same discipline with him.
Nwosu said Nwankwo’s strong democratic belief was why he joined forces with other activists in NADECO as Vice Chairman in the struggle for restoration of June 12, 1993 mandate of Moshood Abiola.
He said he enjoyed the deceased support in the electoral reforms he carried out between 1989 and 1993, adding that Nwankwo believed Abiola won in spite of the cancellation by the military government.
He said: “Arthur was my friend, my colleague, age mate and village mate.
“We grew up together.
“Though we are mourning, but we are also rejoicing because death is not the end of life but the beginning of life in eternity.
“The best way to immortalise him is to have true democracy where every citizen is equal and protected.”
Arthur Nwankwo Jnr, first son of the deceased, described his father as a humorous, loving father who had such sense of history.
He said he would be sorely missed by the family, but they were consoled because they believe he was resting in the bosom of the Lord.
In his sermon, Ven. Ifeanyi Ogbueli said everyone should lead their lives in service of God and humanity.
Late Nwankwo was born in 1939 and holds a Masters degree in Arts from Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He was the Chancellor of Eastern Mandate Union and governorship candidate in Anambra State and delegate to Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group in 1997.
He was survived by two children.