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BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The government and people of Anambra State are celebrating rather than mourning the departure of three of their notable indigenes, who joined their maker in the last few days.
A release signed by the commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba listed the deceased to include Dr. Chukwuka Okongwu, Chief Guy Ikoku and Mrs. Helena Okoye, who departed in their eighties and more importantly, were accomplished and fulfilled as individuals.
According to the release, while Dr. Okongwu, eighty-seven from Nnewi was a former Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, Cabinet Affairs, Petroleum Resources and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in old East Central State, Chief Ikoku eighty-five years from Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, was a veteran lawyer, political activist and Chairman of the ruling Nigerian Peoples Part, NPP, in old Anambra State during the Second Republic.
For the late Mrs. Okoye, eighty-seven years from Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area was the mother of Dr Ifeanyi Okoye, pharmacist, founder and chairman of the Juhel business group and also the mother of Dr Francis Okoye, a former member of the State House of Assembly.
The release further disclosed that Governor Willie Obiano has already called the Okongwu, Ikoku and Okoye families to commiserate with them over the deaths of their esteemed members while in the same manner, the Anambra State Governor-Elect, Professor Chukwuma Soludo also sent his condolence messages to the bereaved families, asking them to bear the losses with equanimity.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano also paid a condolence visit to Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo and family over loss of their sister, Cecelia Okonkwo.
The Governor paid the visit to Bishop Okonkwo’s Country home in Ekwusigo Council Area.
He was accompanied on the visit by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Uchenna Okafor, Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Senator Victor Umeh, and all the Service Commanders in the State.
Chief Obiano asked the family to take heart in the knowledge of the fact that God knows the best in every situation.
Recieving the Governor and entourage, Bishop Okonkwo said that his coming has strengthened his family and conveyed his gratitude to him.
While stating that the Governor has laid a solid foundation in Anambra State, he stressed that posterity will not forget his contribution towards the development of the state and pledged his unwavering loyalty and support to Governor Obiano and his government.
The late Cecelia Okonkwo died at age sixty(60).
