A lawyer and former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Onyeabo Chukwunedum Obi died of COVID-19 complications on Tuesday.
The death of the late Senator was announced by a family member, Mr. Zik Obi II, who wrote on his social media, “Good morning all, pending a formal announcement from the family later today, I wish to personally inform members of Otu Oka Iwu that my eldest brother and past President of Otu Oka Iwu and Bencher, Senator Onyeabo Obi, Os’oji Nnewi, passed on to greater glory yesterday at the age of 82 years. We are grateful to God for his life.
“Kindly note that due to the current COVID-19 safety protocols, physical condolence visits are not necessary or encouraged. Thank you so much.”
The late Bencher had been mourned by the Nnewi USA INC as he was an ardent supporter of the association.
The Obi’s family of Uruagu, Nnewi expressed gratitude to almighty God for the rich and highly accomplished life of Os’oji Nnewi.
He was born on November 20, 1938, in Ogidi. Son of Chief Z.C. Obi, Eze-Onunekwulu-Igbo and Okemili-Nnewi. Os’oji Nnewi was the younger brother of Mrs. Ethel Arunne Momah; brother-in-law to Chief Chike Momah, Nnabuenyi, Nnewi.
He attended St Cyprian’s School, Port Harcourt, between 1943-50. He proceeded to Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar between 1951-55.
Chief Onyeabo Obi also attended North-Western Polytechnic, London, 1958-59; London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, 1959-62. In 1961, he was called to the English Bar at Gray’s Inn.
He was married to Evelyn Nnenna Obioha in 1967 and they were blessed with two sons and three daughters. He loved to play lawn tennis.
The President of Nnewi USA INC, Dr. Ikechukwu Ofomata described the deceased as a trailblazer and served in several capacities during his lifetime.
The Nnewi USA INC in its grief condolence said, “he was very active until his untimely death.”
It wrote about some of his accomplishments, “Legal Adviser to the Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, January- September 1966; in Private Legal Practice, since 1963; Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Anambra West Senatorial, District, 1979-83, where he served as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Procedures for Settling Disputes and Secretary, NPP Senate Caucus;
“Between 1977 and 1979, he equally served as the Director Nigerian Rubber; Vice-Chairman, Arbitration Committee, International Bar Association, through an honorary appointment by the CJN, he served as the Vice, Advisory Committee on Rules of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 1986.
“Nigerian member, Panel of Conciliators, International Centre for Settlement of lnvestatent Disputes, Washington DC, USA, since1987; He was the past President of Otu Oka Iwu and Bencher and former Chairman of The Body of Titled Chiefs of Nnewi (BOTCON).”
