By Barth Ikiebe
The process of the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe’s final resting place has commenced with a recent World Press Conference by the joint National Burial Committee, comprising leadership of the House of Representatives, the Senate, family members, selected friends and close associates of the deceased, at the Conference room of the Senate Building of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
In his Speech, Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market and Institutions and the Chairman of Late Chief Agunwa Anaekwe Burial Committee, after observing a minute silence, eulogised the late parliamentarian, stating that the passing of Chief Anaekwe at the “not-too-old” age of 69 came as a heavy shock; at a critical time when his family and people of the Southeast, including Nigeria in general, needed him most, especially for the vast lessons of his life’s trajectory and huge wealth of experience in Nigeria’s political sphere.
He said that all concerned should take solace in the predestined call and ultimate will of the Almighty God.
The Committee Chairman revealed that the Burial arrangements are as follows:-
-Thursday, October 2nd, 2025, 12pm, Requiem High Mass @Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja. While by 4pm, Night of Tributes @National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.
-Thursday, 16th October, 2025, 9am, Valedictory Session @National Assembly, Abuja, and by 2pm, Valedictory Session @Anambra State House of Assembly, Awka.
While still on Thursday, 16th October, 2025, by 4pm, Valedictory Session, Igwe-in-Council and Adazi-ani Town Union @Igwe’s Palace Adazi-ani.
Then by 5pm, there will be Vigil Mass/Wakekeep @Country Home, Adazi-ani.
On Friday, 17th October, 2025, 9am, Lying-in-state @Country Home, Adazi-ani, to be followed at 11am with
Funeral Mass @St. Peters Catholic Church, Adazi-ani.
While on Saturday, the 18th October, 2025, by 1pm, there will be Internment @Country Home, Adazi-ani.
There will be reception after Internment @Country Home, Adazi-ani.
- Still on Saturday, there will be Condolences by family members, in-laws and well wishers @Country Home, Adazi-ani.
On Sunday, by 10am, there will be Outing /Thanksgiving Mass @All Saints Catholic Church, Adazi-ani.
Among personalities present at the World Press Conference include, Senator Dr. Chris Ngige, fmr Governor Anambra State, Dr. Ijeomah Anadiogbu, Vice Chairman, APC South East, BC Igwilo, SAN, Local Organising Committee Chairman, Hon. Bartholomew Anaekwe, brother, two of the Sons of the deceased and among other dignitaries.
The Late Rt. Hon. Chief Agunwa Anaekwe, was the Speaker, House of Representatives, 3rd National Assembly 1992-1993.
Anakwe, who was Speaker at 36 years of age, was removed from office following the military coup that ousted Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government by former military dictator, General Sani Abacha, on November 17, 1993.
He will be remembered to have opposed the agitation for the creation of more local councils at the time, which, though legitimate aspiration, was pushed as a disguise to prolong the transition to democracy.
While paying tribute to the late Speaker, Ngige described him as “a close friend and trusted political ally.” He noted that, as Speaker, Anaekwe displayed “dexterity, wisdom, and patience” in steering the House of Reps during a turbulent political period.
“He brought greater stability to the House of Representatives than what we saw in the Senate at the time before the military struck after the annulment of MKO Abiola’s election victory,” Ngige said.
The former governor also revealed that he was supported by Anaekwe while challenging entrenched political godfathers and restoring civil service functionality in the state.
