Tejiri Ebikeme

It was a free flow of tears and weeping today when the senate in plenary suspended order 17 to hold a valedictory session in honour of its member, Senator Pius Ewherido.

The Senate  President, David Mark said at the valedictory session that given the level of impact that Senator Ewherido made not just in his family, hometown, constituency, state and the country at large, it is safe to say that he is not dead because his legacy lives on.

According to the President of the Senate, “Today, it is with a heavy heart that I join you to mourn our colleague and brother, Senator Pius Ewherido, the greatest pain is not the one received when we are physically hurt. Neither is it the one received when we are down and out. But it is the one received when one so dear and so close is taken away from us. Death is painful and comes with grief. It is in this grief and melancholy that we mourn one of us.

He lamented the sudden demise of Senator Ewherido,describing his death as traumatic saying that each time death occurs, it tinkers with the oneness, corporate spirit, togetherness and love that bond us in this Senate. Death is inevitable but whenever it occurs, we are taken by surprise.

He said that although Ewherido was a man with exceptional achievements, he never boasted about his achievement and contributions to his community and the society at large.

The senate president who stated that Ewherido was a silent achiever who was referred to by his people as the Uloho (Iroko) provided shelter to many in his community, a gesture that cannot easily be forgotten.

According to Mark to most people he represented it was a unique voice of courage and boldness. “Senator Ewherido was a lively, calculative and focused person. I can describe him as a man of all seasons who was always confident, vocal and comfortable in any company he found himself. His death was untimely and painful” mark declared.

“ Ewherido left his footprints on the sand of history. He lived a memorable life of a true Catholic and Christian full of enviable legacies, we cannot forget his persuasive, pedantic, brilliant and vibrant contributions to debates in this chamber. Each time he made contributions, he demonstrated patriotism and nationalism”.

According to the senate president, Ewherido was a good team player who placed the love for the people above any form of individualistic or parochial interests adding that he was objective, truthful, sincere, committed and charismatic.

“The Senate has indeed lost a rare gem, as shown clearly in your testaments a grassroot politician who enjoyed the massive support of his people.

Other senators who eulogize late senator Ewherido include the Deputy senate president Ike Ekweremadu, Senate leader, Victor Ndoma Egba,Zainab Kure Ayogu Eze amongst others.