It was a day of glowing tribute and eulogies as Anambra State 7th House of Assembly draws its curtains after its final plenary session on Thursday. The session which started at about 11am with a Church service presided over by Rev. Raphael Onyekwelu of Government House Chaplaincy and other priests, was immediately followed by plenary at the legislative chambers. The plenary commencement time was a bit disrupted by attempted abduction of Nnewi North House Member-Elect, Hon. Onyedikachukwu Ike, within the Assembly complex, by suspected members of the Department of State Services – DSS.
Once the House settled, normalcy was retuned and plenary commenced. Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State Dr. Onyedikachukwu Ibezim, who represented the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo at the valedictory session of the 7th Assembly, ran into the drama of attempted abduction, while coming into the Assembly.
At the plenary, only a handful of members were absent. Those who attended without any exception expressed utmost gratitude to their constituents, members of the Assembly, paid respects to two deceased members of the 6th Assembly and two deceased members of the 7th Assembly, the leadership of the House, their families, the former governor Willie Obiano, the current governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, staff of the Assembly, among others. Some members like Hon. Nobel Igwe and Hon. Chidi Udemadu specifically mentioned Hon. Chugbo Enwezor and Hon. Kingsley Iruba of the 5th and 6th Assembly, Hon. Somto Udeze, Hon. Obinna Emeneka, Hon. Beverly Nkemdiche-Ikpeazu, former Clerk Pius Udoh and a few others, for their inspiration and tutorship which sharpened their knowledge and discharge of their duties as House members.
On his part, the Deputy governor Dr. Onyedikachukwu Ibezim, extended his warm wishes and gratitude to the members, while congratulating them for a successful tenure of office.
Meanwhile, the 7th Assembly identified and honoured three persons whom were considered vital throughout the lifespan of the Assembly. They are; Hon. Amala Anazodo, former member of the Assembly, who represented Nnewi North constituency and Special Adviser to the former governor Chief Willie Obiano on National and State Assembly Matters. At present, Hon. Anazodo is the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APGA. Barr. Mrs. Okwy Igwegbe, former Deputy Clerk of the House and the Head of Service of Anambra State. Mr. Pius Udoh, the former Clerk of the Assembly and a intensely knowledgeable man on legislative affairs. These three were honoured for exceptional service to the 7th Assembly during their time in various capacities, within the tenure of the Assembly.
The Anambra State 7th Assembly was inaugurated on 12th June 2019 and from thence till its final session, there was not a case of leadership tussle. Although the Assembly could not boast of many bills as it was only able to successfully pass two member bills from Hon. Somto Udeze and Hon. Nonso Okafor, however, it successfully passed over one hundred resolutions and resolved nearly one hundred public petitions. Just like the 6th Assembly that lost two of its members; Hon. Patrick Aniuno and Hon. Frances Mmegbuaneze, the 7th Assembly also lost two members; Hon. Okechukwu Okoye and Hon. Nnamdi Okafor.
At the end of the final session, many of the members who were profoundly involved in the legislative business like Hon. Nonso Okafor and Hon. Obinna Emeneka, among others, will move on to other things with their insights and cerebral contributions to House debates, even as the tenure of the 8th Assembly kicks off early next week, mindful that they have only but four years to make their mark.
Ebuka graduated with a second-class upper-division degree in Political Science from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Political Science with a specialization in Government and Development Studies from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria. His academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of political dynamics and governance issues.
- Management of Zara Stores Opens New Outlet in Onitsha - October 9, 2025
- NSCDC’s Prof. Audi says Nigeria Records 1,700 Pipeline Vandalism Points - October 9, 2025
- Chief Ben Etiaba to Chair Ikenga Day 2025, in Paris - September 18, 2025