By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi
Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Rt. Hon. Chief Agunwa Anaekwe, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, who passed away on July 6, 2025, at the age of 69. A motion sponsored by Senator Victor Umeh and co-sponsored by seven other senators was presented at the Senate plenary I Thursday by the Umeh.
Chief Anaekwe made history in 1992 when, at just 36 years old, he became the youngest Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria’s Third Republic. During his tenure, he provided courageous and principled leadership, resisting anti-democratic forces and ensuring the House remained the true voice of Nigerians.
The Senate noted that despite his term being truncated by the military dissolution of democratic institutions in 1993, Chief Anaekwe’s principled stand and patriotic service left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire legislators across Nigeria. He was a seasoned lawyer, administrator, and entrepreneur who remained active in nation-building, upholding the values of democracy, justice, and patriotism.
The Senate observed a minute of solemn silence in honor of Chief Anaekwe’s life and legacy, even as it also resolved to
Send a delegation to pay condolence visits to his family, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor of Anambra State. The upper chamber further resolved to set up a committee to plan for his funeral in collaboration with the House of Representatives. They however urge the Federal Government to immortalize Chief Anaekwe by naming a national public institution or edifice in his honor.
Senators OKalu, Mungono, among other co sponsors spoke at length on the speaker’s contribution to development of democracy in Nigeria.
The Senate’s tribute is a testament to Chief Anaekwe’s enduring impact on Nigeria’s legislative history and his contributions to the nation’s development.
Anaekwe
