Nzeribe dies at 83, Uzodimma, COSEYL mourn

Second Republic senator, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, is dead. He died, yesterday, at the age of 83 after a protracted illness in Oguta, Oguta Local Council of Imo State.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State described the death of Nzeribe as a big loss to the people of Imo, in particular, and Nigeria, in general.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor said the death of Nzeribe has robbed Imo and Nigeria of a seasoned politician and business icon, noting that Nzeribe died when his fatherly and statesmanly advice was needed.

The governor commiserated with the family members of Nzeribe, the people of Oguta, his political and business associates, friends and well-wishers on his passing, urging them to pray for the deceased.

The governor, who, also said Nzeribe’s death is a personal loss to his family, the government and the people of Imo State, urged God to grant the soul of the deceased a peaceful repose.

Nzeribe represented Orlu Senatorial Zone between October 1983 and December 1983 in the Second Republic on the platform of the Nigeria People’s Party (NPP).

At the return of the Third Republic, he also represented the people of Imo West between May 1999 and May 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

MEANWHILE, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), has described the death of Arthur Nzeribe as “a lost too many,” saying that the news came to them as a shock, maintaining that the deceased would be greatly missed.

In a statement issued, yesterday, by the President General of the body, Goodluck Ibem, and made available to The Guardian, COSEYL recalled that the late politician, fondly referred to as “Maverick,” distinguished himself in the Senate, political and business sojourn.

The statement reads: “COSEYL, the apex socio-political youth group in the South East, mourns the demise of the Maverick politician, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, who died at the age of 83. His passing came as a shock to us. He will be greatly missed.

“Indeed, his positive contributions to the political development of our nation can not be overemphasised. He was a great political leader and scientist, who touched the lives of many that came across him for good.”