National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Foundation (PANDEF), Dr. Godknows Igali has called for the immortalization of Dr. Paddy Kemdi Njoku, a former Chairman of the Board of National Examinations Council (NECO) who died recently.
Speaking at a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs held in honour of the deceased in Abuja, Igali told the audience that Dr. Njoku was a great Nigerian patriot who staked his life to promote and defend the interests all Nigerians in Cameroun at a time the relations between the two counties were strained as a result of the dispute over the ownership of Bakassi Peninsula.
Dr. Igali, who was the Consul-General of Nigeria at the Nigerian Embassy during the period, said that things got so tough for Nigerians in that country to the point that they came under constant security surveillance.
He disclosed that Dr. Njoku was at that time the President General of the Nigerian community in Cameroun. He told the crowded audience that Dr. Njoku made enormous sacrifices to defend and protect the over four million Nigerians living and doing business in the country.
He said that Dr. Njoku was a very successful business entrepreneur who owned a fleet of ships and publishing companies.
Dr. Igali said as a result of threats and pressure, Dr. Njoku’s businesses folded up, forcing him to return to Nigeria.
Igali noted that Dr. Njoku was a man of peace whose mediation efforts helped in restoring normalcy in the relations between the two countries.
He said that given all that Dr. Njoku did in uniting and protecting Nigerians in Cameroun when it mattered most, he deserved to be honoured by Nigeria.
He said Nigeria owes Dr. Njoku a debt of gratitude for the excellent work he did in Cameroun, adding that he (Njoku) should be celebrated by the nation for making Nigeria proud.
Other speakers who extolled the virtues of Dr. Njoku at the event included the Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Senator Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Mrs. Carol Ndaguba, former Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, and Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, former Governor of Imo State, and brother inlaw of Dr. Njoku.
