The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, died on Sunday evening after a prolong battle with lung cancer.
The ranking senator and former Information minister, born in November 1939, was aged 75.
His family, in a statement by Chidi Chukwumerije titled, “The passing of an inspirational icon,” explained that the late senator, who represented Abia North Senatorial District in the upper chamber, died “surrounded by his family.”
The statement partly read, “Comrade Uche Chukwumerije passed into the open arms of history, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, after a long but gallant battle with lung cancer.
“His life is many volumes, which can only be told with care and time, of dedication and focus, integrity and discipline, and an unbroken love for the highest ideals of our shared humanity.”
The family explained that details of his burial arrangements would be announced soon.
Reacting, the Senate President, David Mark, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, expressed shock and sadness over the death of Chukwumerije.
Mark stated that Nigeria had lost an erudite and extra-ordinary nationalist and lamented that Chukwumerije was one of the brightest and fertile minds in the Senate.
He said, “He (Chukwumerije) radiated intelligence, exemplary conduct in both public and private life. He was a team player who brought meaning to hard work. He was focused and determined to make positive difference.
“Chukwumerije was a shining light and a pathfinder. We shall miss him. No doubt he left a vacuum that would be too hard to fill. He was a consummate and passionate Nigerian who believed in the sanctity of the peace and unity of the nation.”
Also, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, described the deceased as a fearless politician who fought for the interest of the common man and his people.
He also described him as “a patriot who gave his best towards the peace, unity, and development of Nigeria.”
The spokesman for the All Progressives Congress in the South-East, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, described Chukwumerije as a great Nigerian.
Okechukwu, who spoke to one of our correspondents on the telephone, said, “He lived a good life – he was a great Nigerian.”
He added that Chukwumerije was a man of conviction.
“I admire his dexterity. He is the type of character that should be a model to Nigerians – a man of convictions,” he said.
Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ahamba, regretted that Chukwumerije would not be around to further contribute to the growth of democracy in the country.
Ahamba, who spoke to one of our correspondents on the telephone, said, “It is a very sad news. He has been at the forefront of Nigerian politics right from the days of military rule.
“One would have thought that he would still be around especially at this time when there is a need for stability.”
In the same vein, the President of Njiko Igbo Forum, a pan-Igbo socio-political group, Reverend Okechukwu Obioha, said Chukwumerije’s death had created a huge vacuum in Igboland.
The Deputy President-General, Igbo Delegate Assembly (an Igbo socio-cultural organisation comprising 19 northern states and Abuja), Mr. Truelove Njoku, described the death of Chukwumerije as a colossal loss to Nigeria and Ndi Igbo.
In a telephone interview with one of our correspondents in Ilorin on Sunday, Njoku stated that the deceased, during his life time, contributed immensely to national development.
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