From Fred Itua, Abuja
The Senate has condoled with the family of late Senator Anyim Ude, who represented Ebonyi South in the 6th National Assembly. Ude who died recently at the age of 82, was also a revered journalist, who is described as one of the founding fathers of Ebonyi State. Raising a motion on the floor of the Senate, Sam Egwu extolled the virtues of the former senator and urged the Upper Legislative Chamber to send a delegation to his family. He said: “The Senate notes with regrets the passing of Senator Anyim Ude who passed on to glory at the age of 82. He effectively represented the good people of Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the 6th Senate.
During his time in the Senate between 2007 and 2011, he served as committee chairman on Aviation and later as Committee chairman on Works. He credibly discharged those responsibilities.
“Late Anyim Ude served as the first General Manager of NTA, Owerri and later as first Director-General of Imo State Broadcasting Services. He served as Director-General of Abia State Broadcasting Service and later as first boss of Ebonyi State Broadcasting Services.
“He served as first Commissioner for Trade and Commerce in Ebonyi State before a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“His humility, simplicity and philanthropic gestures to the development of mankind. These qualities earned him a position as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
“He’s a founding father of Ebonyi State, a leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and a leader of thought. His death is a huge loss, not just to Ebonyi State, but to the entire nation at large.”
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan in his reaction, said: “I served with him in the 6th Senate. He was a true elder statesman. He was very wise and tolerant.”