Inaugurating the Mausoleum, which was built at Zik’s residence in Onitsha in Anambra State, Buhari said that the monument was built in honour of the memory of the Great Zik of Africa, the Owelle of Onitsha.
He said that the mausoleum was not built for Azikiwe, but for Nigerians to show that “Nigeria remains indivisible”.
“As I reflect on Zik’s life and all of what he achieved, I acknowledge that Zik does not need this house, it is we who need Zik’s name to give this house a meaning.
“I acknowledge that Zik’s name is also everywhere in Nigeria, including the airport in Abuja because Zik chose not to limit himself to Zungeru, his place of birth,” he said.
Buhari noted that Zik chose to be a nationalist as he embraced all in the vast territory of Nigeria.
In his reaction, Chief Emma Nwude, who witnessed the event, said that Buhari had done what past leaders of the country failed to do and commended him for executing the project.
Nwude said that Buhari had shown himself to be a true nationalist for remembering Zik of Africa and prayed God to bless him.
Mrs. Agnes Odogwu, who also witnessed the event, said that Buhari had done noble for taking a giant step to visit Zik’s home and urged the people to support his administration.
Nnamdi Azikiwe, usually referred to as Zik, was a Nigerian statesman, who was Governor General of Nigeria from 1960 to 1963 and the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966.
Zik, who died in 1995, was one of the driving forces behind the nation’s independence and he came to be known as the “father of Nigerian Nationalism”.