The Abia State House of Assembly has held a valedictory session in honour of former member of the Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly, Late Elder Barrister Ejie Ukaegbu, with lawmakers paying glowing tributes to his enduring legacy in public service, education, community leadership and the legal profession.
The session was held on Tuesday after the House, during plenary, resolved into a quasi-plenary to admit members of the late statesman’s family, friends and other guests into the chamber for the solemn ceremony.
The Majority Leader, represented by Hon. Ume Mathias, representing Umunneochi State Constituency, moved a motion for the House to suspend normal legislative proceedings to honour the former lawmaker, who represented Bende Constituency in the Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly.
Following the adoption of the motion,The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa said the Assembly had gathered to celebrate a life of service and draw lessons from the late statesman’s exemplary leadership.
In his opening remarks, Emeruwa described the late Ukaegbu as a courageous leader whose decision to serve in the Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly at a young age reflected uncommon commitment to public service.
“Today, we have gathered to pay our last respects to a senior colleague who served humanity with distinction. We celebrate the exemplary life he lived and the legacy he left behind for generations to emulate,” the Speaker said.
He noted that while death is inevitable, the impact of a person’s life remains the true measure of greatness.
The member representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe, delivered an emotional tribute titled “From One Tree to Many Forests,” describing the late Ukaegbu as a visionary whose influence transcended politics.
According to him, the deceased dedicated his life to education, justice, community development and leadership, mentoring generations of professionals while serving humanity with integrity.
“When a great tree falls, it does not merely die, it becomes a forest. His life produced countless lives, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations,” Ibekwe said.
He added that Ukaegbu’s contributions as a teacher, lawyer, legislator, community leader and churchman had earned him a lasting place in the history of Abia State.
Also speaking, the member representing Bende South, Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi, described the late statesman as an exceptional leader who pursued education at a time when it was a rarity and remained committed to serving his people long after leaving public office.
He conveyed the condolences of the people of Bende South to the bereaved family and the people of Bende North.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie, stated that the true measure of a man’s legacy lies in the values he instils in those he leaves behind.
“A man’s legacy is judged by the character and values of his children. He lived an honourable life and leaves behind an enduring legacy that this House will continue to remember,” Okezie said.
Contributing, Hon. Godwin Adiele described the late Ukaegbu as a “light bearer” whose achievements during an era when educational opportunities were limited demonstrated exceptional grace and determination.
He said the deceased’s passing was a loss not only to Bende but also to Abia State and the former Eastern Region.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Kalu Mba, said Ukaegbu distinguished himself as a teacher, lawmaker and community builder whose contributions shaped many lives.
Also paying tribute, the member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Hon. Boniface Isienyi, described the late statesman as a trailblazer who embraced the legal profession at a time when very few people ventured into it.
He noted that despite serving as a legislator, Ukaegbu remained actively involved in grassroots leadership by serving as a councillor in his local government, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to public service.
Following the tributes, lawmakers and guests sang a hymn in honour of the deceased before observing a minute’s silence.
The Speaker thereafter led members of the Assembly to the portrait of the late Ukaegbu, where they paid their final respects.
After the valedictory session, the House reconvened for its regular plenary, adopted the Votes and Proceedings of its previous sitting, and received appreciation from the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie, who thanked the Speaker, lawmakers, management and staff of the Assembly for attending a civic reception held in his honour in his community.
Also, before the House was a motion sponsored by Hon. Kalu Mba, representing Ohafia South State Constituency, seeking urgent government intervention on the dilapidated Okagwe–Nkwebi–Ndiaku–Ndi Uduma Ukwu–Oboro Road in Ohafia Local Government Area.
The Speaker urged members to study the motion and make their contributions on the day it comes up for consideration.
The Assembly subsequently considered reports from the Committee of the Whole and referred aspects of the Joint Committee report on erosion sites in Ikwuano to be streamlined for clarity.
(The Whistler)
