Ifeanyichukwu Eze, Personal Assistant to the Deputy Speaker, Ebonyi House of Assembly, Mr. Chinedu Onah, has died in a road accident on the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway.
Secretary of the Deputy Speaker’s Legislative Aides Forum, Chinonso Nwede, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the incident occurred while Eze was returning from a funeral wake, accompanied by three other legislative aides and one additional person.
Nwede said the wake was held in solidarity with a friend whose mother’s funeral took place on Jan. 11.
“Sadly, Eze succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The four other individuals involved in the accident are still receiving treatment for their varying degrees of injuries,” he said.
Eze, until his demise, was also the Youth Movement Coordinator for Gov. Francis Nwifuru in the Umuogudu Oshia Ward of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
Nwede described Eze’s demise as a painful loss for his colleagues and the people of Ebonyi, adding that it was “one too many and too difficult to endure”.
He noted that the incident was particularly devastating as Eze’s colleagues were preparing to celebrate his completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and other milestones.
“Eze’s life was not without its challenges, having lost his mother at a tender age and being raised without her care.
“As the only son, his father had pinned his hopes on him, and was relieved to see him grow into a capable individual and serve as personal assistant to the fourth citizen of Ebonyi,” he said.
Nwede expressed sympathy for Eze’s family, particularly his father, and the Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the other victims of the accident and for Eze’s soul to rest in peace, whilst also seeking fortitude for his family to bear the irreparable loss.
In his tribute, the Deputy Speaker wrote: “My Personal Assistant my Pride, do you want me to believe that this is the will of God for you? What about your promises to ur father and all of us.
“What about your resolve to shine in your family as their light? What about the remaining 6months to pass out from the National youth Service, the POP which you said we would come to Imo State to celebrate, how can I convince your father that his only son died from a wake he attended in solidarity to his friend who lost his mother?
“You told me that no one would cut ur life short and you had always professed your faith, is this part of it? You showed capacity, commitment, loyalty, Honesty and amazing love to ur family and people. Let me believe that this is beyond you and accept it in good fate.
“May God preserve you for me and grant you the peace you had always preached while alive. Rest on my Excellent PA.” (NAN)
Christian Ogbonna
