President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has extended his condolences to theChukwumerije family as well as the government and people of Abia state on the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije.
A statement by Presidential Spokesman,Reuben Abati said “ President Jonathan also commiserates with the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the passage of Senator Chukwumerije who was an ardent believer in national unity, peace, political stability and progress.
“The President joins them in mourning the late patriot and nationalist who has left behind an impressive legacy of discipline, honesty, integrity and hard work in public service.
According to Abati, President Jonathan believes that the late Senator Chukwumerije, who had a distinguished career as a journalist, social critic, Minister of Information and Senator, will be long remembered for his dedication and passion for a just and equitable society.
As the nation mourns him, the President urged Senator Chukwumerije’s family, friends and associates to honour his memory by continually upholding the values and principles which he lived for and never stopped fighting for till his death.
President Jonathan also prayed that Almighty God will comfort all who mourn him and grant his soul perfect peace.
Chukwumerije was a man of noble values – Buhari
President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari says the demise of Senator Uche Chukwumerije is a diminishing blow to the generation of true progressives in Nigeria and the African continent.
General Buhari eulogised Senator Chukwumerije in a condolence message by the APC Presidential Campaign as a Pan-African par excellence.
“As a man of my own generation, I observed the progressive political activities of Uche Chukwumerije and admired the Pan- African interests and national patriotic zeal which dominated and dictated major part of his actions and pursuits,” Buhari said.
General Buhari recalls that in the Second Republic, Chukwumerije’s parted ways with the ethnic and regional politics of that era to identify with Mallam Aminu Kano, the leader of the masses (Talakawas) and this “marked him out as a worker for national unity and a man of noble values.”
“As a media practitioner, Chukwumerije was a professional who did his job with passion and conviction in all positions he held. I was not surprised he was a leading voice in the Senate for twelve years, where he had been serving the Federal Republic till death came calling.”
The President-elect noted that Comrade Chukwumerije, as he was fondly called by admirers, lived an active life and never sat on the fence on any national issues.
“Senator Chukwumerije has played an exceptional role in the business of legislation in the country and we will all dearly miss him as an outstanding politician and an elder statesman.
“I sincerely condole with his family and friends, especially his constituents in Abia North senatorial district, the people of Abia State and members of the National Assembly,” Buhari said.
Chukwumerije was a fine gentleman – Atiku
Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar bids Senator representing Abia North and former Minister of Information, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, a farewell to eternity, describing him as a fine gentleman.
Atiku Abubakar said in a press statement signed by his media office in Abuja on Monday said the news of Senator Chukwumerije’s death on Sunday evening came to him as a rude shock.
“Senator Chukwumerije was in the class of those gentlemen you cannot but notice his outstanding qualities even when he stood in the midst of other men.
“His mannerism came across as someone who was well cultured. He was very sartorial in style and in presentation; and he never confused you about the disciplined background of his origin. He was a very worthy ambassador of his people.
“As a politician, he was very classy and as a statesman he was exceptional. His death came as a rude shock and I do sincerely pray that God grants his family, the people of Abia State, friends and colleagues at the National Assembly the fortitude to bear the loss.”
PDP National Chairman Condoles Chukwumerije Family
National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, Muazu Adamau has described the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije, the three terms Senator for Abia North Senatorial district as a huge loss not only for our great party, the People’s Democratic Party, but the Federal Republic of Nigeria in general.
Muazu said in a statement that “Chukwumerije’s chequered political career has been one that Nigerian watchers will treasure for a long time to come. His contributions to the growth of democracy in the country will be remembered for generations especially his role in halting the third term campaign. I am sure that history will reserve many positive pages on the big impact he made in the twelve years he spent in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As a former Information Minister, he made even bigger contribution to the country and my fervent prayer is that God Almighty will give his family the strength to bear the irreparable loss of this great believer in Nigerian unity.
Gov Orji Commiserates with the Family of Late Chukwumerije
Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has condoled with the family of late Senator Uche Chukwumerije on the sad loss of their father and a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, the Governor expressed shock over the death of the celebrated Senator and statesman who passed on at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja, of lung cancer.
According to him, the late Senator would be remembered for his invaluable contributions on the floor of the Senate as well as his efforts in building a strong and united Nigeria.
Governor Orji said the late Senator Chukwumerije would be remembered for his outspokenness and fearlessness in national discuss, adding that apart from distinguishing himself in many fields, he carved a niche for himself both as a politician and statesman.
The Governor said that though the late elder statesman was sick for sometime he never expected that he would die at this time, describing his death as monumental loss to Abia and Nigeria at large.
He prayed God to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Ajaero’s NLC Mourns Death Of Senator Uche Chukwumerije
Comrade Joe Ajaero ,fational President ,Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has “on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the generality of our members nationwide,” expressed “our grief and solidarity with the Senate President, Distinguished Senator David Mark and other distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the death of Distinguished Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who reportedly died of lung cancer on Sunday April 19, 2015 at the age of 75.
Ajaero noted that the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije was elected a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in April 2003, representing Abia North Senatorial District, a position he has maintained for the past 12 years. He was a former minister of information during the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida and in the interim national government of Ernest Shonekan.
“ As Distinguished Senator of the Federal of Nigeria, late Senator Uche Chukwumerije was a progressive and labour friendly Senator. We bear witness to his consistent support for labour in all the labour issues presented to the National Assembly. In particular we recall his supportive role in the passage of the minimum wage Act of 2010 as well as opposition to the move by some reactionary law makers to remove labour from the exclusive list of the Constitution.
“He was indeed a patriotic Nigerian, a pan Africanist and a brilliant lawmaker whose commitment and dedication to the growth and development of the country is never in doubt.
“We also recollect his contributions in the various committees he served in the Senate namely, Chairman Senate Committee on Education and Member Senate Committee on Power among others. His legislative interest is Social Welfare and Infrastructural development.
