OpenLife Nigeria reports that a former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has incurred the anger of internet enthusiasts over a remark on the 62nd birthday of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Chidoka, 52, who hails from Obosi in Anambra State, on Sunday, May 12, 2024, penned a salutary piece on Ike Ekweremadu who is currently serving jail term in England over “organ harvesting” matters.
In the piece, Chidoka recalled his life journey with Ike Ekweremadu, describing him as “A loyal friend, a good husband and a great father.”
Chidoka added that “ I am proud of you.”
Further, Chidoka asserted that the jailed Enugu State born former deputy Senate President is worthy of emulation by the emerging generation on account of rendering selfless services in public office.
“I witnessed your intellectual curiosity never wane, even as you dedicated yourself to public service. Your pursuit of knowledge and your passion for debate, all while maintaining your duties, are traits to be emulated,” said Chidoka on his X handle
@osita_chidoka.
However, these eulogies provoked the anger of many of his followers on X, in which many disagreed with him saying he merely playing to the gallery on account of being birds of a feather.
In the same vein, others see it differently, saying Ekweremadu merits all the accolades.
Below are the different versions of responses.

@IamThatNaijaGuy
This man is in prison for organ harvesting and here you are writing big sounding words in public in this failed image laundering attempt. Shame on you Mr Osita /osita_chidoka/…


@AsiyaRodrigo


The great irony of Nigerian political elite is that they can be so generous, kind and thoughtful to their chosen ones but still treat a common street vendor with cruelty and indifference. As a politician, one is expected not just to love one's family and friends but to also love…












@Aloefuna1

I don't understand this Sir. "Your legacies are etched in our hearts..." Which legacies please? What are the legacies Ike Ekweremmandu left and his contributions to improvement of the living condition of his constituents? I don't understand this long epistle because it looks…




@JosephOnuorah

He is an almost zero impact senator. many of the masses understand this.



@ObiYhwh

Dear Chier Osita Chidoka, Nothing wrong in being loyal to your friend, Ike Ekwerenmadu, and celebrating him on his birthday. But a lot of things are wrong in publicly lauding him as a “Global Leader” when he is currently in jail for human organ trafficking. Is this disputable?…



@OkoyeHTM

We can accept him as your friend and I am sure he’ll never have a better choice of friend than you. Nevertheless, as to being a global leader and all that high sounding words is doubtful.



@ChukwunyeluOrji

Global leader ke in a sane country, he is a convict abi exconvict but na nigeria and na ex criminals dey be leaders for Nigeria.



@Nairaexchanger

Let’s truly celebrate your friendship with the senator. Watch till the end.



@NgbedeD

Happy birthday DSP sir



@epbah57070

Happy birthday to him.


@Udomighty

Happy birthday to a great man who prioritize family over political position



@omaletomale

Happy birthday Senator Ike Ekeweramadu... May your days be long and your new age be blessed.


@revaustino

Great Indeed




@stevomdd

Happy birthday to him




@apostlevin

Happy birthday Ikeoha









@IGWECC07


Life is all about up’s and down,nothing stands forever except God,he’ll get through it anyway,happy birthday to him.






@barmannigeria

@osita_chidoka
kindly stop this s.illy image laundering There's nothing to celebrate about a man in prison for organ trafficking, One who was so greedy that he acquired 40 houses from our Commonwealth: Abuja-15 Enugu-10, Dubai-9 USA-3, UK- 2 Lagos-1



@OkoyeHTM

·
17h
We can accept him as your friend and I am sure he’ll never have a better choice of friend than you. Nevertheless, as to being a global leader and all that high sounding words is doubtful.



@IGWECC07


Life is all about up’s and down,nothing stands forever except God,he’ll get through it anyway,happy birthday to him.



Osita Chidoka’s piece

Ike Ekweremadu: My Friend and the Global Leader at 62 We met in 1997; you came to pick me up in your Peugeot 505 Salon car. At that time, you were a Local Government Chairman, and I was Personal Assistant to Chief Okete, Minister of State Works and Housing. Our friendship was on and off as you climbed the ladder of leadership. I saw you as Chief of Staff to the Governor, Secretary to the State Government and Senator. In 2008, our friendship was renewed, made possible by Olisa Metuh, your classmate. The friendship, this time, blossomed. You were there when my mother came back from her first cancer surgery. You were there when I turned 40. You were there in Obosi when my father turned 90. You were there by 7 am for the surprise praise and worship session when my wife turned 40. You came to Obosi to see the Thomas Chidoka ICT Centre before its launch in 2016. Your wife Nwanneka was always by your side and heartily entertained us with that Abacha that I insist she must get a patent for. I particularly respect Anukata etinye ego (as Olisa and I fondly call her) for focusing on her job as a civil servant while you held sway in the Senate—a remarkable woman. I was there at your birthday events. The picture of you, your wife and myself was your 2019 birthday. I witnessed your intellectual curiosity never wane, even as you dedicated yourself to public service. Your pursuit of knowledge and your passion for debate, all while maintaining your duties, are traits to be emulated. I escorted you to receive your PhD certificate from the University of Abuja. You are a loyal friend, a good husband and a great father. I am proud of you, grateful to know you and happy that you prioritised fatherhood. You live your love of family and pay the price for love. Today, you mark 62 years. We would have been at your house eating and laughing. We will eat today, but we will not laugh. We will drink, but we will not be raucous because...... To all friends and admirers: Ike and Nwanneka are in good spirits. They know that ....this, too, shall come to pass. Their back may be bent, but their spirits are not broken. Your legacies are etched in our hearts - those you've touched. Though the burdens may weigh heavy, your spirit remains unyielding. In the face of adversity, you stand tall, a living testament of hope and inspiration to all who know you. Your commitment to family, community, and service is a soulful reminder of and tribute to the power of love and sacrifice. Your resilience and calm confidence whenever I see you are an enduring testament to your character and doggedness. Next year in Enugu, with God keeping us, we shall sing the Lord's song not in a strange land but on the soil ordained by God. We will celebrate again a friend, a leader, a father and a man whose community and friends acknowledge with one voice as a global leader. Happy birthday, Ikeoha, okala madu, and husband of Nwanneka. Osita Chidoka 12 May 2024

Ok. Someone replied to my comment and insulted me. I replied and was banned from commenting for two weeks

He missed the boat with this one. The man is serving jail term for feck sake!