Former Senator Calls for immortalization of Annie Okonkwo as Indonesian Ambassador, Peter Obi, others grace funeral.
Oru Leonard
A call has gone to the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo to immortalize the late Senator for Anambra Central senatorial district, Chief Annie Okonkwo.
Barrister Tony Chukwuelue, a former Social Democratic Party(SDP) senatorial candidate for Anambra Central district made the call as Senator Okonkwo was buried today in his Ojoto, Idemili South of Anambra state country home.
Chukwuelue who was the Senator’s Chief Legislative Aide during his days at the National Assembly (NASS) noted that Senator Okonkwo, popularly called Agu N’echemba actually revolutionized political/Legislative representation with outstanding and unique topics he introduced.
That these included Town hall meetings that was rotated quarterly amongst the constituting communities as a vehicle to brief, inform and interact with his Constituents.
According to Chukwuelue, “…the Senator used this platform to sound his people out and know how they, what they need, expect and like…
Because the late Senator had touched a lot of hearts very positively in real terms, Idemili, Anambra State, Southeast geopolitical zone and the nation have indeed lost a valuable political pillar.
“That is why I urge Governor of Anambra to immortalize him.
Going down memory lane, Barrister Chukwuelue noted that Bill known as the “Diaspora Commission Bill” was initiated by Senator Okonkwo and had passed the Second Reading when the life of that Senate ran out. Incidentally his return bid to the Senate wasn’t successful and someone else picked and followed up the bill to fruition today…”, the Legislative Aide pointed out.
He listed other notable strides of Okonkwo to include the scholarship scheme by his Agu N’echemba Foundation and numerous personal interventions he often undertook directly, amongst others.
Hon Dozie Nwankwo in his remarks described Okonkwo as “a team player who will be sorely missed by all lovers of progress”. He likewise called for his name to be immortalized in memory of his tremendous service to humanity.
Numerous friends from every part of the country and overseas including Senator Ben Obi, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Andy Uba, Chief Dozie Nwankwo, Chief Obiora Okonkwo (CEO United Airline), Chief George Moghalu, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, Chief Chika Okafor (Chicason), Chief Basil Ejidike (APC Chairman, Anambra State), Sir Sydney Chukwukelu, Hon Nikky Nwabeze, Chief Uche Nworah.
And as the world literally headed to Ojoto, security by a combined team from the police, Army, Navy, DSS, etc maintained active presence and surveillace at all roads and strategic points in the state.
Credit: Chuks Collins, Awka
