Late Senator Okey Ezea
By Ben Ndu
It was a moment of tears on Tuesday evening at the Amadeo Event Center, Enugu during
the Night of Tribute and Service of Songs held in honour of late Senator Okechukwu Ezea, as different speakers paid glowing tributes to the late Senator.
People from all works of life, particularly, the who is who in the Enugu North Senatorial district of Enugu State, including politicians, the clergies, the business community, Captains of industries, top retired military officers, media gurus and well-wishers jam-packed inside the hall to pay tribute to the departed.
The government of Enugu State was ably represented by the state’s Deputy Governor, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai.
In his remark, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Nnia Nwodo, former President – General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, said late senator Okey Ezea committed his political life fighting to liberate his people from political deprivation, economic emancipation and social degradation.
“He was known for his integrity, loyalty and forthrightness. Ezea was known for his outspokenness, which he cherished to a fault.
“He was deeply connected to his people and frequently visits every ward in senatorial district to feel their pulses with the view to addressing them, ” Nwodo said.
He advised his children not to relent but pick up from where their father stopped to make it even bigger and better in life.
In the same vein, the member representing Igboeze South State Constituency, in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Harrison Ogara, who broke into tears while speaking, described Ezea as ‘a man who loved his people’.
Ogara said he had worked very closely with the late senator, especially on ensuring the political stability of the people of Nsukka zone, otherwise known as Enugu North.
“When the gale of defections hit the Enugu State House of Assembly and even the National Assembly, I and Ezea stood our grounds and vowed to “swim or sink” with our people, ” he said.
According to the lawmaker, Ezea was always talking about what was good for his people, the Enugu Senatorial zone.
He promised to continue to pursue those ideals that senator 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 said.
Also, Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the National burial committee described late senator Ezea had passion for the entire Igbo race especially for his Nsukka people.
He said the senator worked for anything that benefits the people of South East hence he fought for the creation of Adada State to bring the zone at par with the other zones.
“He was so passionate about the creation of Adada State to ensure parity with other zones in the country.
“Whenever, there is any better in the house against the Igbo on floor of the senate, Ezea will come to me and say:”Leader what do this mean” and I will calm him, ” he said.
Umeh said that his death had left a big vacuum which would be hard to replace.
Speaking deputy governor, representing the state government also described Ezea as a consummate politician.
Ossai said that his death was a monumental loss to the people of Enugu State and Nigeria in general.
He said that the late senator was accommodating and accessible in spite of the political differences in the state.
“He has the courage of a lion; he spoke his mind to anyone no matter how highly placed, ” he said.
It would be recalled that Ezea, popularly called ‘Ideke’ died in November 2025, after a brief illness just two years and one week of his inauguration as senator of the Federal Republic.
He will be buried in home town Ichi in Igboeze South local government area of Enugu State.
