By George Ozalla
Former presiding officers of the National Assembly, led by their Chairman and former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, have paid a condolence visit Tuesday to the family of late Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, at his Abuja residence.
The solemn visit brought together distinguished former leaders of National Assembly, including Ambassador Ameh Ebute, former Senate President and Anaekwe’s counterpart during their service in the Third Republic; Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Governor of Imo State; Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; Rt. Hon. Austin Opara; Rt. Hon. Patricia Etteh; and Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, among others.
Senator Nnamani, speaking on behalf of the delegation, extolled the virtues of the late Anaekwe, describing him as a patriot, a principled democrat, and a man who served the country with courage and distinction. “His contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey will not be forgotten. He lived a life of service, marked by courage, punctuality, and a sense of justice,” Nnamani said, while assuring the family that the delegation would participate fully in the burial ceremonies, beginning from Abuja.
Earlier, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who was delegated by Senator Nnamani to introduce the members of the delegation, lamented the painful loss, stressing that Anaekwe remained an active and devoted member of their forum until his death. “We are here today to commiserate with his family. He was not just our colleague but our brother, and his passing has left a deep void. This sad event occurred when some of us were out of the country, but we ensured a sizeable number of us would be present to honour him,” Ihedioha remarked.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the family and the National Burial Planning Committee, Chief Bert Chucks Igwilo, SAN (Ezeani) expressed profound gratitude for the solidarity and respect shown. “We welcome you. We know you all by name, for what you have done for this great country. This gesture is not only for Agunwa but for the values he lived for,” Igwilo said.
Other members of the National Burial Planning Committee present included Mr. Ezechukwu Okeke, Chief Coleman Uba, Chief Amaechi Ebeledike, Chief (Hon) Ifenna P. Ikegwuonu, Mr Chukwudi George Ozalla and Mr Auston Ofokansi Ifedinezi. They were joined by Mrs. Chinwe Agunwa Anaekwe, the widow, and her sons, Obiora and Emeka, who received the visitors in an atmosphere filled with grief and dignity.
The visit was rounded off with prayers for the repose of Anaekwe’s soul. Rt. Hon. Patricia Etteh led a Christian prayer, while Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole offered a Muslim prayer, symbolizing the unity and diversity of the body of former presiding officers. Vote of thanks was delivered by Chief Ebeledike.
The committee reaffirmed that the burial rites for the late Rt. Hon. Chief Agunwa Anaekwe, who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives during the 3rd National Assembly (1992–1993), will commence in Abuja on October 2 with a Requiem Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, followed by a Night of Tributes at the National Ecumenical Centre. Other events will follow in Anambra, culminating in his interment on October 17 at his country home in Adazi-Ani.
