By Omeiza Ajayi

Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party LP, Mr Peter Obi, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo and Minister of Health, Ali Pate are among dignitaries expected to pay their last respects to elder statesman and Second Republic lawmaker in the old Anambra state House of Assembly, Dr Ernest Madu Onyekwena.

This is as the Anambra state House of Assembly has announced that it will hold a valedictory session in honour of the deceased on Thursday 29th August, 2024.

In a statement signed by his son, the Deputy Director, Infectious Diseases Advocacy, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Obinna Onyekwena, on behalf of the family, the late Sir Ernest Madu Onyekwena’s funeral rites will commence with a Service of Songs on August 23 at his Enugu residence, while the actual burial is slated for Saturday 31st August 2024.

Other dignitaries expected at the burial include the deputy governor of Enugu State, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai, Speaker of Anambra State house of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Speaker of Enugu State house of Assembly, Hon. Uche Ugwu, traditional leaders from around the country, as well as other notable Nigerians and individuals from around the world.

The late Onyekwena, popularly called Omekannaya 1 Ufuma, lived between 1946 to 2024.

He was a member of the Second Republic old Anambra State House of Assembly under the National Party of Nigeria NPN.

“Beyond his political career, the late Sir Ernest Madu Onyekwena was an accomplished Agricultural Engineer. He was a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, a Fellow of Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers, NIAE and a Registered Engineer with the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN. He was also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers and a one-time South-East Regional Chairman.

“He was a pioneer in agricultural engineering, leaving an indelible mark on the industry through his innovative projects and his dedication to improving food security in Nigeria. His career, spanning over five decades, is marked by an unwavering commitment to innovation, and a passion for building a stronger agricultural infrastructure.

“Sir Onyekwena’s impact is evident in the numerous projects he spearheaded, each a testament to his deep understanding of the challenges facing the Nigerian agricultural sector. Through his expertise, he led the development, installation and management of grain silos, abattoirs and agro-industrial plants across the country, as well as the assembly, marketing and maintenance of field machinery; his work impacted the lives of many farmers, producers, and consumers”, family added.