Tribute to Late Distinguished Senator Annie Okonkwo
The sad news of the demise of Senator Annie Okonkwo, after a protracted illness was hard to accept.
Distinguished senator Annie Okonkwo was, before his stint in politics, an outstanding businessman. Yet, he was more. He was also a business innovator; an information and communication technology enthusiast and investor. Yet, he was more. Sen. Annie Okonkwo was a business disruptor, whose political success was only a natural consequence of his resounding accomplishments in business and life.
Chief Annie Okonkwo was a business builder, and a builder of men, which earned him the revered title of “Agunechemba” in Ojoto, his hometown, where his commitment to human capital development was unrivalled. The demonstration of his dedication to human capital development spanned beyond Ojoto and, indeed, Anambra state as a whole. As a community leader of repute, he was the rallying point for the peace and progress of Ojoto, his community. As a progressive indigene of Anambra state, he was always handy to contribute more than his fair share towards the advancement of the state. Sen. Annie Okonkwo was a lover of knowledge, attending both the University of Lagos, and Harvard University. From every conceivable standpoint, distinguished senator Annie Okonkwo was a man of immense abilities and many giant strides.
While he lived, we had many conversations on various issues. Remarkably, during my quest to represent Anambra Central in the 10th Senate; a position he occupied many years ago, we had a lot of noteworthy and long discussions about the politics of 2023 general elections. Throughout those conversations, he was emphatic about my suitability and fitness for the job, having himself served in that position some years back, at about his mid-forties. In our further conversations on other aspects of the 2023 election, Sen. Annie Okonkwo was unambiguous about his stance and very genuine with his counsel, so that one is left with no doubt as regards where he stood. Therefore, Senator Annie Okonkwo was also an honest man who placed high premium in honest opinions and counsel, and held himself by those high standards.
I mourn his demise painfully, and extend my deepest condolences to his family.
As we pay him the last respects in the coming days, I pray that his family take solace in his enormous goodwill and reputation garnered over the years through hard work. They should also be comforted by his fervent dedication to the service of humanity while he lived. But, I also pray that the Almighty God give them the courage to bear such a huge loss.
May the great and noble soul of distinguished senator Annie Okonkwo, rest in the eternal peace of God, Amen.
*Uzuegbuna Okagbue*
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