SOLUDO LEADS ANAMBRA STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO PAY LAST RESPECTS TO FORMER SPEAKER, NNEBE

By Christian ABURIME

Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has paid glowing tributes to his Special Adviser on House of Assembly Matters, late Chief Anayo Nnebe who passed on at the age of 61.

Speaking during a funeral service held in his honour at St Paul’s church, Umuokpu-Awka, Governor Soludo recalled how his path crossed with late Chief Nnebe in politics, describing him as a patriotic party member who struggled and campaigned with them.

While pointing out that the former speaker of the fourth Assembly was actually recommended to him by Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor who testified of his good nature, the Governor stressed that to him, it was the true test of who a Christian should be, expressing optimism that all Christians would possess similar attributes.

The Governor who reiterated the role played by Chief Nnebe during the struggle for the return of schools to the mission, stated that everyone must learn to think and stand for each other, irrespective of religion or church.

Governor Soludo stated that Chief Nnebe lived and died for the public purpose, noted that his administration will continue to deepen the ideals of progressivism, targeted at the poor, which was what the late former Speaker stood for during his lifetime.

The Governor added that Chief Nnebe was part of the evolving revolution in Anambra state, saying that he was a major component of the success stories recorded in his administration, stressing that enrolment of pupils and students into public schools has increased to 18.7 percent, as a result of which Anambra now ranks the least in terms of out of school children, among other achievements.

The Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka, Most Revd, Alexander Ibezim pointed out that Chief Nnebe was a community leader and politician who was close to his hometown, and reminded Christians that a day of reckoning is imminent, when everyone will account for what they used their lives for.

Accompanying the Governor was the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, National Chairman of APGA, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Head of Service, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Barr. Joachin Anaeto, members of the state executive council, Council of knights and ladies, Senator Ben Ndi-Obi, family and friends of the family, among others attended the funeral service.