Ezeogo (Dr) Anagha Ezikpe, who died at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, was until his death, the chairman of the Abia Elders Advisory Council. He was also a Medical Doctor.

According to the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, John Okiyi Kalu, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu who received in audience a delegation of traditional rulers from Abiriba kingdom led by the Enachioken of Abiriba, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu at his Aba Lodge, was informed of the death of Dr Ezikpe by his first son, George Ezikpe.

Responding, Governor Ikpeazu expressed deep pains and sadness over Ezikpe’s death and described the late elder statesman as his mentor who taught him many virtues during their meetings.

He said “Ezeogo has no copies available, so where are we going to find another Ezeogo? Where are we going to find people that are so frank, so selfless, so transparent, and so bold, so committed to the service of other people, the community, and the society? such people as Ezeogo are very rare to find and cannot be replaced. A big pillar of support for this state has collapsed”, the governor lamented.

Born 2nd February 1930, Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe who was one of the founding members of the PDP in Abia State and also one of the founding fathers of Abia State died on Christmas Day after he slumped during a meeting of the Advisory Council and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where he was later pronounced dead.

He hails from Abiriba, in Ohafia LGA.

A statement released by the state Commissioner, John Okiyi Kalu today August 6, says the state government is in touch with his family members, other relevant persons, and institutions, and receives regular updates through them on the situation.

the statement read “The Abia State Government is confident that the judiciary will ensure a free and manifestly fair trial for him and others as they remain innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. We, therefore, wish to call on all citizens and visitors to continue to be law-abiding and avoid any activity that might lead to a breakdown of law and order.  The state government kicked against the ”sit-at-home” order issued by the IPOB members to protest the detention of their leader. While Government will not compel anyone wishing to sit at home for any reason whatsoever not to do so, as citizens have freedom of movement under the extant Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we wish to strongly advise that nobody should also compel or enforce any sit at home order from any non-state actor as doing so does not serve any known interests of the people of the state. Furthermore, compelling our children to stay away from school can only serve the interests of the yet to be properly identified persons who may not want to see us make progress as a people.  Similarly, our traders sitting at home at a time they need to work very hard to sustain their families and create wealth especially in this era of COVID-19 impacted global economy will obviously not serve any development interest of our hardworking citizens. All law-abiding citizens and visitors are therefore called upon to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation as adequate security has been provided to ensure their safety. Parents and guardians are also called upon to ensure that they monitor the activities of their children and wards with a view to ensuring that they do not engage in unlawful activities that will put them in harm’s way”

The Governor who went into isolation before his test result came back positive has directed the deputy governor, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu to act on his behalf till he resumes duty.

The statement read ”Recall that on Saturday, 30th May 2020, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu volunteered his sample for COVID-19 test and subsequently directed members of the state Executive Council (EXCO) and those of the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 to submit themselves for the same test. On Tuesday, 2nd June 2020. The result of Governor Ikpeazu’s test returned negative. On Thursday, 4th June 2020, the Governor submitted another sample at NCDC laboratory for confirmation and the result returned positive. As a result, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has gone into isolation, as required by relevant NCDC protocols, and he is being managed by a competent team of medical practitioners with a view to nursing him back to good health. Consequent on the above, the Governor has directed his Deputy, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties. We wish to urge all Abians to take the fight against COVID-19 serious as the disease is real but not a death sentence. Our state has the resources to manage patients back to good health”