Obi Of Onitsha Calls For More Government Attention On Zik Mausoleum

His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, on Wednesday called on the federal and Anambra governments to show more interest in the Zik Mausoleum and Conference Centre at Onitsha.

Chinyelugo Anionwu, Chief of Staff, Ime Obi Onitsha Traditional Council quoted the Obi in a statement as saying that work on the mausoleum was at a standstill.

He stated that Achebe made the call in a statement to mark the 2021 edition of the Zik lecture series.

He stated also that the Obi said Igbo people were grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for completing the physical structure of the Zik mausoleum.

The royal father observed that following the inauguration of the Zik Mausoleum, not much had happened with regards to the take-off of its operations.

He noted that: “although the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has established the presidential committee for the management and maintenance of the Zik Mausoleum, it is difficult to point to any substantial outcome.

“With the completion of the physical structure, arrangements for the take-off of operations of the mausoleum and its management should come under the purview of the National Commission of Museums and Monuments.’’

His Majesty also expressed gratitude to Sen. Ben Obi who instituted the Zik Lecture series and the organisers and urged them to keep the excellent work going.

He also applauded the theme for this year’s lecture: “Security, Governance and Nation Building,’’ delivered by Dr Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.

According to the Obi, “since the civil war, Nigeria has never had security challenges as are presently the case.’’

“The lecture is, therefore, part of efforts to find solutions to insecurity and governance challenges facing the nation.

Organisers set aside Nov. 16, the birthday of Nigeria’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe, popularly called “Zik of Africa’’ for the lecture and celebration series.

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s, Faculty of Social Sciences has been hosting the event since 2011.

Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, first President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Owelle of Onitsha was born Nov.16, 1904 in Zungeru, Niger State.