Anambra assembly mourns as former deputy speaker dies at 64

The Anambra State House of Assembly has mourned a former Deputy Speaker, Ikechukwu Oseke, who died on Monday at the age of 64.

Oseke, who celebrated his last birthday on July 27, was said to have collapsed during his morning exercise at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra State capital, and was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.

Born in 1960, the deceased, who hailed from Umuawulu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, represented Awka South 2 Constituency at the State House of Assembly from 2011 to 2019 under the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

He was the Deputy Speaker of the sixth Anambra State House of Assembly.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Speaker of the Anambra State Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, described Oseke’s death as a “rude shock and devastating” to the legislative institution in general.

Udeze noted that the late deputy speaker was able to give a good account of his stewardship, especially in his political career, where he empowered a lot of people and constructed numerous constituency projects.

He said, “The deceased had peaceful disposition, humane nature, philanthropy, legislative prowess and conviviality. His community Umuawulu in Awka South LGA, State House of Assembly, Anambra State and Nigeria at large have lost one of the finest politicians.”

While commiserating with the immediate family of the deceased, the Speaker charged them to uphold the good qualities of their husband and father, especially his excellent service to God and humanity as a devoted Christian.

The deceased also contested APGA’s primary to represent Awka North and Awka South Federal House constituency in the House of Representatives but lost out to the late Anayo Nnebe, who eventually became the party’s flag bearer.

He later entered the freight forwarding business in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and started importing fishing feeds. He also read law and recently completed a Ph.D. in Public Administration.

He was survived by his wife, children, and other relatives.