President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a message of condolence to the people of Achalla community and the Anambra State government over the death of Igwe Alex Ezeoba Nwokedi, OON, the Uthoko of Achalla.
In a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Femi Adesina, President Buhari also condoled with the Igwe-in-Council of Achalla on the passage of Igwe Nwokedi, who was also former chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and former chairman of Nine Eastern States Council of Traditional Rulers.
According to the statement, “President Buhari recalled the contributions of the departed to national development as Manager, Group Public Affairs of the NNPC, and as Chief Press Secretary to the then Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo as military head of state from 1976 to 1979, noting that the Igwe left his footprints on the sands of time.
“The President prays God to rest the soul of the deceased, and comfort all those who mourn him.”
Igwe Nwokedi, who was a foremost Nigerian journalist and Public Relations guru, died on 11 May at the age of 84.
According to the announcement of his death which was done according to the tradition of his native Achalla community, he will be buried on 28 November in his palace.
In a notice published by the Uthoko Na Eze Royal Family of Achalla, a service of songs would be held at his palace on 26 November, followed by a funeral mass at St Paul Catholic Church in Achalla on 27 November.
Born in 1936, Igwe Nwokedi was educated at the CMS Central School, Onitsha, St Gregory’s College, Lagos and the University of Oslo in Norway.
He began his journalistic career at the Daily Times in 1955. He worked for Eastern Nigeria Information Service as publicity officer in 1957 and later became the chief sub editor of National Outlook in 1958.
Sir Nwokedi joined the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in 1969 and became PR manager of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), later known as NEPA in 1974.
From 1975 to 1979, he served as Chief press secretary to three heads of state, General Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo and Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
In 1980, he was appointed to head the public relations department of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
He retired from the NNPC as general manager in the early 1990s after more than 10 years of service.
Igwe Nwokedi, who became the Uthokoneze and paramount ruler of Achalla Kingdom, later, held the national honour of Officer of the Officer of the Niger (OON).
