Ben Ezechime, Enugu
It was an emotional evening on Tuesday at the Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu, as tears flowed during the Night of Tribute and Service of Songs held in honour of the late Senator Okechukwu Ezea.
People from all walks of life—particularly prominent personalities from Enugu North Senatorial District—trooped to the venue to pay their last respects. The audience included politicians, clergy, members of the business community, captains of industry, top retired military officers, media practitioners and other well-wishers, who filled the hall to capacity.
The Enugu State Government was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, said Senator Ezea devoted his political life to liberating his people from political deprivation, economic marginalisation and social degradation.
“He was known for his integrity, loyalty and forthrightness,” Nwodo said, describing the late senator as outspoken and fearless to a fault.
According to him, Ezea was deeply connected to his people and regularly visited every ward in the senatorial district to feel their pulse with a view to addressing their concerns.
He urged the children of the late senator to remain steadfast and to build on their father’s legacy, making it even greater.
Similarly, the member representing Igboeze South State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Harrison Ogara, who broke down in tears while speaking, described Ezea as “a man who genuinely loved his people.”
Ogara said he worked closely with the late senator, particularly in efforts to ensure political stability in the Nsukka zone, also known as Enugu North.
“When the gale of defections hit the Enugu State House of Assembly and even the National Assembly, Ezea and I stood our ground and vowed to swim or sink with our people,” he said.
He added that the late senator was always focused on what was best for Enugu North Senatorial District and pledged to continue pursuing the ideals Ezea fought and died for.
“We shall continue to fight on; all those things he fought and died for will not be in vain,” Ogara assured.
Also speaking, Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the National Burial Committee, said the late Senator Ezea had deep passion for the entire Igbo nation, particularly his Nsukka people.
According to Umeh, Ezea was committed to any cause that benefited the South-East, which explained his strong advocacy for the creation of Adada State to ensure parity with other zones in the country.
“He was so passionate about the creation of Adada State to bring the zone at par with others. Whenever there was any matter on the Senate floor against the Igbo, Ezea would come to me and ask, ‘Leader, what does this mean?’ and I would try to calm him,” Umeh recounted.
He noted that Ezea’s death had created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai described the late senator as a consummate politician, whose death was a monumental loss to Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
Ossai said Ezea was accommodating and accessible despite political differences within the state.
“He had the courage of a lion. He spoke his mind to anyone, no matter how highly placed,” he said.
It would be recalled that Senator Ezea, popularly known as Ideke, died in November 2025 after a brief illness, barely two years and one week after his inauguration as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He will be laid to rest in his hometown, Ichi, in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State.
