The Anambra State Government has commiserated with the former World Bank Vice President (Africa), Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, on the passage of her mother, Mrs Cecila Ujubuonu.
In a letter to Mrs Ezekwesili, Minister of Education in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, after serving as Minister of Mineral Resources, Governor Willie Obiano described Mrs Ujubuonu as an exemplary mother and wife, according to the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba.
“An entrepreneur, Mrs Ujubuonu was reputed for discipline, love of education and dedication to the common good,” stated Governor Obiano in the letter.
“Her personal values are etched in the character of her children who are famous for competence, professionalism, integrity and commitment to the common good”.
Chief Obiano cited Mrs Ezekwesili as an example, noting that “she fought fiercely for the restoration of the June 12 1993 presidential mandate which Nigerians freely gave to Chief Moshood Kashimowo Abiola out of her deep philosophical and moral convictions.
“When democratic rule was restored in Nigeria in 1999, Oby headed the newly created Due Process Office and became a member of the President’s Economic Team where she shone like a star.
“She introduced far-reaching reforms in the two ministries she headed between 2003 and 2007.
“No wonder, the World Bank had no difficulty hiring her as its Vice President (Africa) immediately she left public office in Nigeria”.
Governor Obiano also revealed that he had worked closely with another member of the Ujubuonu family.
“Tony helped a great deal in developing an effective communication strategy for Anambra State, and he was quite intelligent and professional.
“Tony displayed innovation, intelligence and excellent communications in conceiving and producing a book in memory of our legendary principal at Christ The King College in Onitsha in the person of Rev Fr Nicholas Tagbo.
“He memorably entitled the book, Sons of a Priest, which is a collection of the views of former students of Fr Nicholas about their great principal, a celibate priest, like all Catholic reverend fathers”.
Mrs Ujubuonu, 78, died in Abuja on Sunday, June 21, of cancer, and will be buried on Wednesday in her hometown of Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area, in strict accordance with the Anambra State directive on burials in the period of the coronavirus pandemic.