■ They discharged their legislative duties with dedication, panache
Dr. Ikedi Ohakim,former Governor of Imo State, has condoled with the bereaved families of late Engr Mark Uchendu and Chief Ethelbert Nnanna on the demise of the two former members of Imo State House of Assembly. Uchendu represented Ihitte Uboma State Constituency between 1999 and 2003,while Nnanna represented Oguta State Constituency between 2003 and 2007.
The former governor, while commiserating with the families of the former lawmakers, described their death as ” very unfortunate and painful.” He posited that both former legislators, who were almost age mates having died at 68 and 69 years, respectively, were among the finest crop of legislators the Imo State House of Assembly has produced since the return of democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999.
“I can without any iota of equivocation attest to the fact that both Engr Mark Uchendu and Chief Ethelbert Nnanna were among the brightest and finest crop of legislators we have ever had in the Imo State House of Assembly since 1999. They were an embodiment of gentility and discharged their legislative duties with dedication and panache. They were never found wanting by their constituencies, the government, and the good people of Imo State during their time in public service,” Ohakim stated.
He opined that he is saddened by the demise of the two erstwhile legislators who,he noted,would have provided invaluable guide and pathways to the younger and upcoming legislators in Imo State,for the overall benefits of the State legislature and the government. He averred that “as rare and strong breeds, the likes of Mark Uchendu and Ethelbert Nnanna are often not easy to come across always,” stressing that their demise is not a huge loss to only their families alone, but also to all those who loved them.
“We share in their grief,too. Their death is a bitter pill to all of us. The eye and the nose are one ; when one is hurt, the other sheds water. Mark and Ethelbert were dear to me and to many other people. I am deeply pained,” Ohakim said.
Ohakim further implored the bereaved families of Uchendu and Nnanna to mourn their departure with equanimity, assuring that the worthy legacies both former legislators left behind will always remain indelible. He prayed God to grant the duo an eternal and peaceful rest in His bosom.
It will be recalled that both Mark Uchendu and Ethelbert Nnanna had also served Imo State in various other capacities after their tenures in the Imo State House of Assembly. Nnanna later served as Transition Committee Chairman of Oguta Local Government Council and afterwards, Special Adviser on Contact and Mobilisation to former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, while Uchendu later served as Secretary to the Government of Imo State under former Governor Rochas Okorocha.
