The Abia State House of Assembly on Tuesday convened a solemn valedictory session to honour the late Hon. Barr. Ejieke Ukaegbu, who represented the former Bende State Constituency in the Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly between 1962 and 1964.
Delivering a moving tribute, Hon. Ibekwe Nnamdi Chimdi, Member representing Bende North State Constituency, described the late elder statesman as a man defined by courage, selfless service and an unwavering commitment to his people. Speaking on the theme, “From One Tree to Many Forests,” Hon. Ibekwe reflected on a life whose decades of leadership laid a firm foundation for succeeding generations.
“He did not die empty. He died full — full of children, full of lawyers he mentored, full of farms he nourished, full of a community he shaped,” Hon. Ibekwe said, noting that the people of Bende are not merely mourning a loss but celebrating the fulfilment of ninety-six years of impactful service.
Hon. Ibekwe highlighted key chapters of Ukaegbu’s life: his early devotion to education, where “Teacher Ejie” illuminated classrooms across Igbere, Edda, Abiriba and Mbieri and inspired pupils who went on to become doctors and community leaders; his return to the law after wartime displacement, where he established Ebiri Chambers and provided access to justice for widows and the vulnerable from Abak to Port Harcourt; and a quarter-century of indefatigable community leadership that gave the people new halls, reorganised age grades, and strengthened cultural memory through Ezumezu.
Quoting an Igbo proverb invoked in the tribute, Hon. Ibekwe said, “When a great tree falls, the forest is silent. But its seeds remain to become a forest.” He urged those present to receive the late elder’s final charge: start with what is in your hand, be diligent like the ant, multiply your tree, and preserve wisdom and justice without compromise.
Reflecting both the private and public dimensions of Ukaegbu’s life, Hon. Ibekwe recalled the elder’s devotion in church and council: “Both loved and hated, but never silent on justice.” He described the late statesman as a valedictorian for his people—one whose legacy compels the next generation to do better.
The valedictory session concluded with a pledge by Hon. Ibekwe and other lawmakers to carry forward Ukaegbu’s work and to steward his seeds of service into a flourishing forest of future leaders, while also extending their heartfelt condolences to his family over the painful loss.
Oziomachi Media
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