President Muhammadu Buhari was on Thursday full of praise for Nigeria’s first president, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, during the inauguration of Zik’s Mausoleum and Conference Center in Onitsha, Anambra State.

He said that Zik’s memory will remain indelible in the hearts of generations yet unborn because of his selfless service in national service while alive.

Buhari explained that the mausoleum would promote nationalism, patriotism and public service adding that the essence is to honour the memory of the foremost nationalist.

Earlier in his speech, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, had described the late Azikiwe as an important figure in national development and history.

He called for the appointment of a board of directors to oversee the activities and progress of the mausoleum and conference centre.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said that 96 workers were employed in 2016 when work on the mausoleum was kicked off by the Buhari administration to ensure completion of the project in 2018.

He gave assurance that the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge as well as the Federal Secretariat in Awka would all be completed by the Buhari administration.

In his speech, one of Zik’s sons, Ambassador Emeka Azikiwe, described the mausoleum as a huge legacy the president has kept. He hailed the president for completing the project saying that the mausoleum apart from immortalising his late father, would also serve as a tourist site.

He recalled that his late father contributed “immensely to the country’s independence, democracy and national development.”

While addressing supporters later at the campaign ground, the president said that his government will extend the work it is doing on the Port Harcourt road to the Onitsha area.

He said: “I believe the minister of Transport (Rotimi Amaechi) has also told you of the railway project, which will also pass from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, through some of your states.”

The President, however, avoided giving away any promise in the event that he wins second term in office.

Other prominent personalities present at the event with the President included Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, the Senator representing Anambra South in the red chambers of the National Assembly, Sen Andy Uba, and Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

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