Encomium as FCE Umunze stood still for Chukwumerije

It was encomium galore at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State, as
members of the College community paid their last respect to one of their own, the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije, the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial Zone and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education.
The event was organized by the management of the College led by Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu was to immortalize the late Senator, who died on April 19, 2015 after a long battle with lung cancer. 
Prof. Ogbuagu, who described the death of the late Senator as shocking and a great loss to the South-East states in particular and the country in general, said late Chukwumerije’s interventions in the country governance would be greatly missed.
Prof Ogbuagu’s words: “As a Fellow and worthy Ambassador of this great citadel of learning, we organized this event in honour of our own Senator, a political guru and technocrat who died recently. Chukwumerije was a shining light and a pathfinder. We shall miss him. No doubt he left a vacuum that would be too hard to fill. He was a consummate and passionate Nigerian who believed in the sanctity of the peace and unity of the nation.”
He said while others may have disagreed with his views, most Nigerians never doubted Chukwumerije’s immense patriotism and sincere commitment to building a greater, more united nation that all Nigerians and the entire black race would be proud of.
"As a Senator, he maintained his typical boldness and most of the time became vocal minority against poor legislative decisions. He ‎had paid his dues for Nigeria in his definitive style over the years. He had always broken grounds in whatever he did. He had shown in clear terms that he was a tested technocrat and a political giant. I pray for the repose of his soul"
While eulogizing the late Senator for his academic and literary prowess, Ogbuagu described the late Chukwumerije as a social critic with an unparalleled courage, singleness of purpose and steadfastness of conduct.
He expressed grief that though “he has passed on, he lives on as his numerous works will continue to illuminate the dark confines of the distorted history of the black race.”
The event, which took place at the college’s main auditorium, was attended by students, lecturers and principal officers across the College Community.
In her remarks, Lady J.C Madichie, deputy Provost of the institution stressed that the best way to immortalize the late icon is to imbibe those principles and virtues the late Chukwumerije lived and died for.
 “Senator Chukwumerije was a fearless fighter, whose back never touched the sand and I really wonder if he could be replaced,” she said, describing him as a great ambassador of the country who according to her is a fearless politician who fought for the interest of the common man and his people.
The high point of the event was a talk-show on life and times of Senator Uche Chukwumerije and tributes and poetry reading sessions, while a condolence register was opened