Omeruah, man of excellence, says Gov Nnamani

January 18, 2007

Governor Chimaroke Nnamani has described the former military governor of the old Anambra State, late Air Commodore Sampson Emeka Omeruah (rtd.), as a detribalized Nigerian whose contributions and legacies left imperishable legacies on the sands of time.

Governor Nnamani was speaking in a tribute to the late Omeruah who was also a two-time Federal Minister as well as a former Chairman of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA), when his remains were laid in state at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, en-route his home town Umuahia for interment.

The governor, who was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dan Shere, said that Air Commodore Omeruah was “a trailblazer and an icon whom even the stillness of death and void of grave cannot conquer”.

Governor Nnamani recalled the landmark achievements of Omeruah both as military governor and sports minister, adding that he was a great Nigerian patriot for whom every opportunity of service was an opportunity to break new grounds and leave higher standards.”

He noted that his two-year governance of the old Anambra State witnessed the most revolutionary improvements in the history of the state. “This fallen hero, this man whose quest for distinction had a limitless horizon was the architect of this hallowed square – Okpara Square where we are gathered today – among several other legacies”, the governor said.

In the speech titled “Tribute to a Man of Excellence”, Governor Nnamani said that late Omeruah represented a unique and rare generation of patriotic, forward-looking and nationalistic Nigerian military officers who demonstrated a bond with the people”.

Governor Nnamani said: “as we mourn a committed administrator, one who defined the present day aesthetics, cultural monuments and part of the infrastructural revolution that is today the lot of Enugu State - the dream of the dualization of Ogui Road, the completion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, etc, - we pray that God will give the family, Enugu State and Nigerians the fortitude to bear the loss.”

“Even though breath may cease, mobility may freeze, and activity may shrink, Air Commodore Omeruah will forever live on the streets of Enugu, in the monuments that dot the landscape of the Coal City and beyond”, he continued.

In his speech, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu described Air Commodore Omeruah as an all rounder, an excellent soldier and dynamic leader.

Governor Virgy Etiaba of Anambra State also hailed the late Emeka Omeruah as an achiever and gallant soldier whose contributions as Sports Minister placed Nigeria on the world soccer map, adding that the NFA headquarters in Abuja should be named after the sports administrator.

Civil commissioners that served under Air Commodore Omeruah as military governor of the old Anambra State from 1985 to 1987 in their tribute read by Professor Humphrey Nwosu described him as a role model, a distinguished and highly disciplined professional soldier and patriot.