Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has lauded Chief Onyema Ugochukwu as a passionate and patriotic Nigerian who played a significant role in efforts to reconcile him with former President Olusegun Obasanjo during their time in office.
Atiku made this statement today in Abuja during a thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Wuse Zone 3, held in celebration of Ugochukwu’s 80th birthday.
Ugochukwu, a seasoned journalist and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was recognized for his contributions to national unity.
Speaking, Atiku said, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I will not claim that I know Ogochukwu long enough because we only met during our administration around 1998-99.
“And till now, we have been in contact with each other.
“But I want to say that during our administration, even when the President and I were having problems, Ogochukwu never took sides.
“Rather, he tried to be a…