President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over the death of Eze Francis Eze Igwe, the Agom Ugabala II of Ndufu Alike Autonomous Community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. In a statement released by the presidency on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Tinubu described the late monarch as a custodian of culture, a repository of wisdom, and a symbol of unity whose life and service left an enduring imprint on his people.
A Life of Service and Leadership
Eze Igwe was not only a traditional ruler but also a politician, educationist, and administrator. Tinubu noted that the late monarch's contributions to his community went far beyond his lifetime, leaving a mark that would outlast him. The president highlighted that the passing of such a revered figure is not merely the loss of an individual but the loss of a cultural anchor for the Ndufu Alike Autonomous Community and the entire Ebonyi State.
Tinubu emphasized the vital role traditional rulers play in Nigeria, particularly in preserving cultural heritage, encouraging communal peace, and building understanding among communities. He reflected on the broader significance of Eze Igwe's death, calling it a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the lasting worth of service to family and community.
Presidential Tribute and Condolences
In his tribute, President Tinubu said: "It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that I received the news of the passing of His Royal Highness, Eze Francis Eze Igwe, the revered Agom Ugabala II of Ndufu Alike Autonomous Community, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State." He added that the late monarch held a position of honour within his community and embodied values central to Nigeria's indigenous institutions.
The president directed his condolences to the late monarch's son, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, a former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, as well as to the wider Igwe family, associates, and the Ebonyi State Traditional Council. Tinubu acknowledged the personal weight of losing a father and prayed that the family would find comfort in the memories of the patriarch and the values he passed on.
A Call to Honour the Late Monarch's Legacy
President Tinubu called on the people of Ndufu Alike Autonomous Community and the traditional institution to honour Eze Igwe's memory by keeping alive the virtues he stood for. He prayed that God would grant the late monarch eternal rest and give his family and community the strength to bear the loss. "His departure is a painful loss to his immediate family, the Ndufu Alike Autonomous Community, the people of Ikwo, and the entire Ebonyi State. His memory will remain a source of reflection and inspiration to those who knew him and to the generations that will carry forward the traditions and values he represented," Tinubu said.
The president's statement was released via the presidency's official channels, including a post on X (formerly Twitter), and comes amid other recent losses mourned by the administration. Earlier, Tinubu had also mourned Peter Onwubuariri, an Assistant Director of Media at the Presidential Villa and a former North American correspondent for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who died after a prolonged illness.
