Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, one of the brightest shining stars of Nigeria’s current democracy and Senator representing Imo North Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly, who died in Abuja, on December 18, 2019, will be laid to rest tomorrow, Friday, February 21.
His remains will be interred at Okigwe, his hometown in Imo State.
Ahead of the final funeral rites, eminent Nigerians, from home and in the diaspora, have been flooding Owerri the state capital to pay their last respects.
Indeed, Senator, 51, began his final journey home on Tuesday, February 11, with a valedictory session at the Senate; followed by a Service of Songs, Wednesday, at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
On Monday, February 17, another service of songs was held for the departed senator at Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, where he grew up and lived till posterity threw him up for national service.
The following day, Tuesday, February 18, a valedictory session was held for Uwuajumogu at the Imo State House of Assembly where he had been two-term Speaker before he got elected into the Nigerian Senate.
Tuesday, valedictory session at the Imo State House of Assembly where he was Speaker. Before that, his remains were taken to his Owerri residence at Udenwa Estate. At the house of Assembly, Uwajumogu’s former colleagues, former and current lawmakers, as well as friends and well-wishers, took turns to eulogise the good works of the late senator.
Top among mourners at the event were Prince Eze Madumere, a former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo, a former Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and Chief Jude Ejiogu, a former Secretary to the Imo State Government, also a former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha, when the latter held sway as Imo State’s Chief Executive.
The valedictory session at the Imo State House of Assembly was led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Chiji Collins, who, while receiving the remains of Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu’s body into the chambers, urged mourners not to mourn like people without faith but like people of God who believe in resurrection of the saints.
Declaring that death was a necessary end that would come when it would, the Speaker said Senator Uuwajumogu’s demise would definitely create a huge vacuum in the political development of Imo State and Nigeria’s in general.
Painful as Uuwajumogu’s demise at 51 might be, the Speaker urged the audience to be consoled by the worthy legacies which the senator left behind.
Hon. Crown Onyemaechi Njoku, the member representing Ihitte-Uboma state constituency, was saddened by Uwajumogu’s untimely departure, but praised the late senator’s large heart, kindness, compassion and love for fellow humans and humanity in general.
The legislator who represents Senator Uwajumogu’s constituency said, despite everything, he was consoled by the fact that the senator lived a life worthy of emulation. While praying God to comfort the family he left behind, Hon. Crown Onyemaechi Njoku, however, urged his immediate family not to be inconsolable or comfortless like those without hope. Rather, they should put all their hopes in God, through Jesus Christ.
Another former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwuemeka Mmaduagwu, described the late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu as “one of the best” in his time, but lamented that he died when the state and country needed him most. He advised the immediate family to continue with his goodwill.
In his tribute, Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu, the immediate past Senator for Imo East, described the departed federal lawmaker as a kindred spirit, a great brother, friend and colleague, as they both shared certain attributes.
According to him, the late Benjamin Uwajumogu was born on the 3rd of June 1965 while himself (Samdaddy) was born on the 18th of June 1965.
“We were in the Assembly together and while he was the speaker under former Governor, Rochas Okorocha, he protected our interest.”
“I was the first lawmaker who moved a motion for the house to pass a vote of confidence on him as the best speaker even though we were from different parties.”
“He did well as the speaker and attracted most of the developmental structures in the state. He was indeed a rare gem and Imo people will miss him”
Another service of songs and night of tributes were held, Wednesday, at Uwajumogu’s village, the last rites before interment on Friday.