October 29, 2018
The Head,
The Family of Chief Tony Anenih, CFR,
Iyasele of Esan Land,
No. 12, Samora Machel Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
LETTER OF CONDOLENCE
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I write to convey, on behalf of my family and on my own family, through you, to the immediate family of Chief Tony Anenih and the entire people of Edo State, our sincere condolences on the transition of the great hero, patriot, nationalist and political Amazon. The transition of Chief Anenih signifies the conclusion of one of the most inspiring chapters of our nation’s history.
It is understandable that you and other members of the family would feel a sense of loss at the transition of a man who has, for many years, served as patriarch, mentor and pillar for the family and Uzenema-Arue community in Uromi, Edo State.
However, I am sure that it is sorrow tinged with the appreciation of the mercies of God demonstrated in the life of the patriarch.
Indeed, this moment of transition is also a time to celebrate a life so richly blessed in so many ways. Chief Tony Anenih’s life was an archetypal lesson in public service and leadership at its best.
He had to himself a life full of accomplishments and meritorious services to the local and national communities. He served the nation with devotion and diligence in his chosen profession. His service in the Nigeria Police Force was distinguished by high professional standard.
He was an epitome of humility and quite dignity both in service and retirement, even though he rose to the rank of Commissioner of Police before retirement.
Chief Tony Anenih lived a well-fulfilled life and God had been kind to him in very many ways. He showed the path to millions and nourished positive and creative thoughts in many. Over the decades, he had shown uncommon courage, leadership, vision, loyalty and unbounded patriotism to his people and his country, Nigeria.
He was an embodiment of love, compassion, hope, affection, discipline, and identification with the common good. In more ways that we can recount, he demonstrated such political sagacity, commitment, rational strategizing, unfathomable resolve and depth of understanding that his landmarks are all over our country’s political landscape in indelible patterns. In the course of a lifetime of remarkable contributions to the political sector of our nation, he became a national icon and authentic role model; one of the outstanding leaders of our generation.
His political contribution to the Fourth Republic, notably as the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing under my able leadership as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was stabilizing. Indeed, he was a patriot and a nationalist of no mean order, who belonged to that rare breed of Nigerians whose interests and associations cut across all sections – tribe, language, region, religion and social status.
As we continue to draw inspiration from Chief Tony Anenih’s legacies and recommit to upholding, deepening and expanding those numerous positive contributions that he had made to Nigeria, I pray that God Almighty will grant us all the fortitude to bear this great loss, and may his gentle soul find eternal repose.
OLUSEGUN OBASANJO
