Soludo Hails Late General Obiakor As ‘Anambra’s Export To The World’

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has paid tribute to the late Lieutenant General (Dr.) Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor, describing the retired military officer and international peacekeeping strategist as one of the state’s finest sons whose service brought honour to Nigeria and the global community.

Soludo spoke at the Eck Memorial Service held at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, where family members, military officers, government officials and other dignitaries gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of the late general.

The governor described Obiakor as “Anambra’s export to Nigeria and the world”, in recognition of his distinguished military career and contributions to international peacekeeping.

“We’ve come to celebrate the life of one of our best,” Soludo declared, while extending his condolences to the bereaved family.

He noted that although the late general attained international recognition through his professional accomplishments, the most significant measure of his life was the impact he made on his immediate community.

“The impact on the community is the most important impact—that his people were able to testify that he was good,” the governor said.

Soludo’s tribute highlighted the importance of combining professional excellence and national service with a commitment to the welfare and development of one’s community.

Reflecting on the challenges confronting Nigeria’s security institutions, the governor observed that public perception of the armed forces, police and other security agencies often influenced young people’s willingness to enlist in them.

He said the achievements of respected figures such as Obiakor could help inspire a new generation to consider careers in the military and other security services.

According to him, the late general’s record of service demonstrated how individuals could become role models whose contributions encouraged younger people to embrace discipline, responsibility and service to humanity.

The governor also called on community leaders and elders to strengthen their relationships with the people, particularly young people, in order to inspire confidence and promote positive values.

“We must multitask... become the villager, as a way of inspiring and motivating the younger ones,” he said, urging leaders to remain connected to their communities despite their positions and accomplishments.

Soludo’s remarks placed particular emphasis on the responsibility of accomplished individuals to maintain meaningful relationships with their roots, noting that local recognition and the testimony of the people remained important measures of a life well spent.

Representing the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General T. E. Gagariga conveyed condolences to the Obiakor family and joined other mourners in honouring the retired general’s contributions to the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He acknowledged the late officer’s distinguished military career, which brought honour and dignity to the country’s military establishment.

Earlier, the deceased’s son, Nonso Obiakor, reflected on his father’s life, highlighting his commitment to discipline, international peacekeeping and humanitarian service.

He described a legacy shaped by professional dedication and an enduring concern for humanity, qualities that defined the late general’s personal and professional journey.

The memorial service attracted a large gathering at Alex Ekwueme Square, with mourners paying tribute to a man whose career extended beyond Nigeria’s borders and whose contributions left a lasting impression on his family, community and the wider military establishment.

Obiakor, who lived from 1951 to 2025, was celebrated as a distinguished military officer whose service in international peacekeeping earned him recognition beyond his home state.

The gathering in Awka provided an opportunity for Anambra State and the wider Nigerian community to reflect on his legacy, while Soludo’s tribute underscored the importance of raising leaders whose achievements on the national and international stages are matched by their positive impact on the communities from which they emerged.