By Luchee Igwe
Lawmakers in Anambra State House of Assembly on Thursday eulogised one of their deceased colleagues and Majority Leader, Dr Nnamdi Okafor, as they held a valedictory session in his honour.
Okafor who represented Awka South Constituency I in the assembly, was a second term lawmaker before he died on Aug. 23, while attending a legislative retreat in South Africa.
In his valedictory speech, Speaker of the Assembly, Dr Uche Okafor, described the late Majority Leader as a sound, eloquent, erudite, selfless politician and articulate legislator, who would be greatly missed by all.
“We commiserate with the Okafor family of Umuzocha in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra over the painful death of their son and one of us, Dr Nnamdi Okafor.
“Until his untimely death, Late Okafor was an erudite lawmaker and a distinguished Majority Leader with deep knowledge in law making. He represented His constituency well and contributed to its development.
“We promise to be there for the family and we urge them to be consoled as late Okafor’s short life was full of quality service to God and humanity. May his soul rest in peace, ” he said.
In his tribute, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo while condoling with the family of late Okafor, described him as an intelligent, brilliant strategist and passionate Majority Leader, who served as a bridge between the executive and the legislature.
Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, said late Okafor had contributed immensely to policy formation and policy decisions of his administration
“You cannot but be impressed by his mastery of the Constitution and law-making processes. During discussions, he backs up his statements with quotations from the constitution.
“He will be greatly missed and we urge the family to take heart and be assured of the state government’s support,” Soludo said.
Also speaking, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, Chairman, Nigerian Majority Leaders and the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, said that late Okafor was a pillar and a valuable member of the forum.
“On behalf of the forum, I commiserate with the family of Late Dr Okafor, the 7th Assembly and the people of Anambra. He lived his life for humanity, he was transparently peacefully, loving and a great team player.
“I urged his family and the Assembly to keep his legacies alive,” Agunbiade said.
In his comment, Dr Carter Dike-Umeh, representing Aguata Constituency l said that late Okafor deserved to be given a state burial and be immortalised.
According to him, Late Okafor served the state and performed his legislative duties with vigor by sponsoring Bills for the benefit of residents and to drive positive transformation in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the late Okafor’s family, Mr Nwachukwu Okafor, brother to the deceased, thanked the Assembly for the encomiums and support.
Other lawmakers dressed in black attires, took turns to describe the Late Okafor in glowing terms.
The lawmakers thereafter observed one-minute silence and filed past the late legislator’s picture.
The Assembly later adjourned sitting till Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022.
