From Abuja to Awka: Lawmakers, dignitaries celebrate life, Legacy of Late Speaker Agunwa Anaekwe

By George Ozalla

In every great nation, men who stand tall in service are remembered beyond their years. Their legacies outlive their time, carried forward in the hearts of those who witnessed their dedication and in the institutions shaped by their integrity.

Such was the atmosphere across Nigeria on Thursday as the late Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe, OFR, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, received fitting national and state honours in solemn valedictory sessions held first at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, and later at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Awka.

From the morning’s calm to the emotional twilight in Anambra, it was a day of reflection, reverence, and national gratitude — a celebration of a man whose political journey helped define Nigeria’s democratic history.

The day began in the green-carpeted chamber of the House of Representatives, where the valedictory session was convened by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, with the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, presiding alongside members of the leadership and the Clerk of the National Assembly.

The casket, draped in the national colours of green and white, lay in state within the White House lobby of the National Assembly Complex as lawmakers, family members, staff, and guests filed past in silence. The air was heavy with the weight of memory; even the familiar hum of the microphones seemed subdued.

In his opening remarks, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen described the ceremony as one of the most solemn duties of his office. He spoke glowingly of the late Anaekwe as “a man who wore the robe of leadership with rare humility and unwavering courage.”

He noted that the honour accorded him was not mere ritual but a moral obligation to history — to a man who, though his speakership was brief, gave it meaning and moral direction. The Speaker announced that the House would immortalize Anaekwe and other distinguished presiding officers by naming facilities within the National Assembly Complex after them, so that generations to come would remember those who built the legislature not for privilege, but for posterity.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, in his tribute, said the late Speaker represented the conscience of parliamentary leadership. “He was a man of great discipline, who believed that leadership was service and not showmanship,” Kalu said. “Agunwa Anaekwe’s calm strength, his understanding of the House, and his readiness to sacrifice personal comfort for institutional stability remain part of the heritage we are proud to inherit.”

Senator Osita Izunaso, who served as Chief Press Secretary to the late Speaker and chairs the National Burial Planning Committee, recounted vivid memories of Anaekwe’s service during the tumultuous Third Republic, recalling how he resisted executive interference at a time when democracy stood on fragile ground. “He was a man who defended the sanctity of the legislature even when it was dangerous to do so,” Izunaso stated.

“When others faltered, he stood. He fought for the restoration of the National Assembly after it was dissolved.”

Senator Victor Umeh, speaking with deep emotion, said Anaekwe’s life exemplified humility and peace. “He was never associated with rancour or controversy,” Umeh said. “As a young Speaker at 36, he proved that leadership is not about age but about character and wisdom. He built bridges across divides, bringing unity to a House that reflected the complexity of our nation.” He described Anaekwe as “a bridge between the old and the new Nigeria.”

Senator Abubakar Kyari Monguno, who represented the Senate President, stated that Anaekwe’s tenure was marked by courage and integrity, particularly in rejecting decrees that sought to curtail legislative authority. He noted that the late Speaker led the House to oppose draconian attempts to subvert democracy and even sponsored delegations to international forums to challenge authoritarian tendencies. “In him,” Monguno said, “we saw the symbol of a legislature that dared to speak truth to power.”

Former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, in a moving eulogy, called Anaekwe “a dove with the heart of a lion.” He said Anaekwe’s calm disposition masked an inner strength that made him one of the finest examples of principled leadership in Nigeria’s political history. “He led at a time when democracy was still a delicate flower,” Dogara said. “

He gave it water, he gave it shade, and he gave it hope. He believed that what matters most is not how long one serves, but how well.”

Senator Uche Ekwunife, who played an active role throughout the ceremonies from the National Assembly in Abuja to the State Assembly in Awka, described the late Speaker as “a patriot whose footprints in governance remain visible decades after.”

She noted that Anaekwe’s humility, courage, and humanity set him apart in a political environment often dominated by ego and ambition. “He had the quiet strength of a teacher and the conviction of a statesman,” she said. “He led with grace and left with dignity.”

Throughout the chamber, the mood remained reflective. Some lawmakers fought back tears, while others stood still, heads bowed in contemplation. When the last prayers were said, Speaker Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Kalu led members in a symbolic procession.

From there, the hearse, draped in green and white, began its slow procession to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Family members, friends, and members of the National Burial Planning Committee formed a convoy that wound through the heart of Abuja.

At the airport, the atmosphere was both ceremonial and emotional. The casket was lifted gently toward the waiting aircraft as relatives, dignitaries, and colleagues prepared to convey the late Agunwa Anaekwe home. As the engines came alive, the sound of the turbines blended with gentle vigour. The plane rose steadily, cutting through the Abuja skyline with calm precision. The flight was smooth, the clouds pale and motionless below — an aerial silence befitting a statesman’s final journey. Those aboard, including close family members and members of the burial committee, sat in quiet reflection as the aircraft glided toward the southeast.

Less than an hour later, the aircraft touched down at Chinua Achebe Airport, Umueri, in Anambra State — a few kilometres from Awka. Waiting at the tarmac were members of the Local Organising Committee led by Barr. Bert Chucks Igwilo, who also holds the revered title of Ezeani of Adazi-Ani, accompanied by others. They received the casket in dignified silence, while solemn wails from the widow punctuated the air before the procession moved to Awka for the continuation of tributes.

At the Anambra State House of Assembly, lawmakers who had already been waiting, led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, stood in solemn formation as the cortege arrived.

Heads bowed, they watched as the casket was brought into the hallowed chamber following a formal motion. A minute of silence was observed in honour of one of their own — a proud yet painful reminder that true greatness never dies. Speaker Udeze spoke warmly of the late Anaekwe’s contributions to the nation and to Anambra State, describing him as “one of our most illustrious sons, whose wisdom, humility, and courage elevated both the state and the country.” He said the people of Anambra were proud to call him their own, not because of his titles, but because of his values.

The valedictory in Awka was shorter but deeply emotional. Members of the Anambra legislature shared reflections on how Anaekwe’s leadership inspired younger generations. Some described him as “a man who walked softly but carried immense influence.” Hon. Nkechi Ogbuefi praised his mentorship and his refusal to play divisive politics.

As night fell over Adazi-Ani, the home of the late Speaker, the atmosphere transformed from solemnity to cultural celebration. The social wake was vibrant and deeply symbolic. Masquerades appeared, their colourful costumes swirling in rhythm to the talking drums.

Traditional dancers performed, women ululated, and choirs rendered old hymns and folk songs that filled the compound with echoes of joy and nostalgia. It was a wake-keep that merged grief with gratitude — a farewell not of sorrow alone, but of pride.

Among those actively present were Senators Osita Izunaso, Chris Ngige, Francis Ndubueze, Victor Umeh and his wife, Hon. George Ozodinobi, Barr. Bert Chucks Igwilo, SAN, and several political associates and community leaders. They mingled freely with villagers and visitors, sharing stories that painted a portrait of a man who lived simply, served greatly, and left quietly.

On Friday, 17th October, a high-powered Federal Government delegation, along with members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and dignitaries from across Nigeria, is expected to pay condolence visits as burial rites continue in Anambra.

Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe’s life and times point to the enduring power of character in public service. He entered politics at a young age yet carried himself with the restraint of an elder statesman. In turbulent times, he stood for principle; in quiet times, he stood for people. His brief tenure as Speaker during the Third Republic became one of the defining chapters in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

As the ceremonies moved from Abuja to Awka — from the grandeur of the National Assembly to the cultural heart of Adazi-Ani — one message echoed through every speech and every silence: leadership built on truth, humility, and conviction never dies.