David Mark, Ashafa Mourn Chukwumerije

•The late Chukwumerije

•The late Chukwumerije

The Senate President, David Mark, has expressed shock over the death of Sen. Uche Chukwumerije.

Mark in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Paul Mumeh, said Nigeria lost an erudite and extra-ordinary nationalist.

He noted that Chukwumerije was one of the outstanding senators in the National Assembly.

“He radiated intelligence, exemplary conduct in both public and private life. He was a team player who brought meaning to hard work.

“He was a shining light and a pathfinder, who was focused and determined to make positive difference.

“He was also a consummate and passionate Nigerian who believed in the sanctity of the peace and unity of the nation.

“No doubt he left a vacuum that would be too hard to fill; we shall miss him,” the statement quoted Mark as saying.

Also, the Senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa, on Sunday described the death of Senator Chukwumerije as unfortunate.

Ashafa said his incisive contributions to issues of national importance will be greatly missed.

According to him, Chukwumerije will be remembered for standing firm in defence of policies that benefit the downtrodden in the society.

“He (the late Chukwumerije) was outspoken as the Senate Committee Chairman on Education, especially during the committee’s oversight functions. He wanted the best for our educational system,” Ashafa said.

He commiserated with the deceased immediate family members and urged them to take solace in the fact that the late Senator left behind an enviable legacy.

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•The late Chukwumerije
•The late Chukwumerije

Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche is dead. He died of cancer on Sunday, aged 75.

According to a statement by the family representative, Chidi, the Senator died on Sunday after a long but gallant battle with lung cancer.

“On the evening of Sunday, the 19th of April, 2015, surrounded by his family, 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,” the statement said.

“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.

“Details of burial arrangements will be announced in due course. We ask only for your prayers and good wishes.”

Chukwumerije was elected a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in April 2003, representing Abia North Senatorial District

According to Wikipedia, Chukwumerije served as minister of information in the dying days of the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida. Chukwumerije also served as minister of information in the interim national government of Ernest Shonekan.

In the Fourth Republic, Chukwumerije was elected to the Senate on the Peoples Democratic Party’s platform, but he fell out of favour with the party’s leadership when he opposed the Third Term Agenda of former President.Olusegun Obasanjo.

Chukwumerije eventually decamped to the Progressive Peoples Alliance in 2006, and was reelected to the Senate on April 28, 2007. Chukwumerije was reelected again on the PDP platform in the April 2011 elections.

Chukwumerije studied economics at the University of Ibadan.

He was divorced with seven children. His son Chika won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing in Taekwondo. His father funded his training as well as some of the tournaments he has participated in.

His other son, Dikeogu Egwuatu Chukwumerije, is a writer and a performance poet. He also hosts the Abuja Literary Society (ALS)’s Night of Spoken Words. He has written books like The African American, One Nigeria: The Birth and Evolution of an Idea, The Revolution Has No Tribe: Contemporary Poetry on African History, Culture and Society Co-written with Azuka Juachi Okonji, Strategic Love: Simple Rules That Make Love Work and many others. He also did a tribute to the legendary Chinua Achebe titles ‘Nna Anyi, Is It True?’ after his demise.

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