By Uche Osunkwo
The Royal Ekwueme Dynasty of Oko, in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has reaffirmed her commitment to sustaining the exemplary legacies of one of her illustrous sons, His Excellency, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, the late first Executive Vice President of Nigeria, part of which was the Ekwueme Centre for Multidisciplinary Research
(ECMR), now Alex Ekwueme Institute of Leadership and Innovation Studies (AEILIS), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU/UNIZIK), Awka.
Royal Father of Oko and brother of the late former Nigeria's Number Two Citizen, Igwe Prof Laz. Ekwueme, made statements to that effect while interacting with a delegation from NAU/UNIZIK, which visited the respected family for renewal of fraternity and updating on the areas and issues of mutual relationship.
According to the Traditional Ruler, the Ekwueme Dynasty is proud and very cautious of the excellent records of her late eminent member, Dr Alex Ekwueme, and therefore doesn't lag from putting in as much as required to sustain and build on them for the goodness and betterment of the society.
While commending and appreciating Nnamdi Azikiwe University for the progress being made by the Ekwueme project initiated with the late legend while alive, the Ezeijikala Oko, eminent Professor of Musicology and Nollywood notable, prayed for its sustenance and expansion.
Adding his voice in line that of the popular Monarch, Hon Ogochukwu Ekwueme, former Local Government Chairman and son of the late eminent statesman, reassured of his family's zeal to firm up cooperation with NAU/UNIZIK, expressing appreciation.
Introducing and explaining its mission earlier, leader of the university delegation and Director of AEILIS, Prof Jerry Chukwuneke, stated that the visit was mandated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie, who he conveyed his warm greetings.
He traced the history of the Ekwueme endowment in NAU/UNIZIK, pointing out its latest transformation into an Institute that offers courses leading to post graduate diploma certificates, master's and doctoral degrees.
The youthful Professor of Engineering added the Institute's qualification and charge to publish scholarly journals and organize conferences and related fora, including those associated with the famous Ekwueme legacies, concluding with the university's request for cooperation and joint commitment.