Sen Ayogu Eze Dies @ 65

The death has been announced of Senator Ayogu Eze, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the Sixth and Seventh National Assembly between 2007 and 2015. 

A statement signed by his first son, Kenechukwu Ayogu Eze, on behalf of the family, said Senator Eze died in the early hours of Thursday, April 25, 2024 at an undisclosed Abuja hospital after a protracted illness.

The younger Ayogu said his late father, who would have clocked 66 years by 23rd November 2024, drew his last breath surrounded by family members, stressing that Senator Eze “was a compassionate husband, devoted father and selfless sibling to all family members”.

He further stated thus; “Words cannot describe the pain in our hearts at this moment and we are devastated as a family as we break this news of his passing.

“Senator Eze was a man with the warmest of hearts and a sincere patriot who diligently served the country and humanity in various capacities.”

Until his death, Senator Eze was the Enugu State representative at the Revenue Allocation Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) and also served as a Board member of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

For the eight years he spent in the upper legislative chamber as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Eze served as Committee Chairman on Information and Media during the first four years and after his re-election in 2011, was appointed Chairman, Committee on works.

At various times, he also served as a member of committees on Police Affairs, National Planning, Marine Transport and Federal Character & Inter-Government Affairs as well as a member of the Constitution Drafting and Amendment Committee that made some novel changes to Nigeria’s 1999 constitution.

Additionally, he was at a time the Commissioner for Information and Media, as well as Special Adviser in Enugu State. Also, the late Senator made several unsuccessful attempts at becoming the governor of Enugu State during his lifetime.

Before venturing into politics, the late Eze was a consummate journalist who rose to the rank of editor in both The Guardian newspaper and Newswatch magazine.

Speaking on the passage of the former lawmaker, a youth leader from his community, Umuiyda Autonomous Community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Ikechukwu Eze said they were all in shock over the sad news.

The Youth leader, while describing Senator Eze’s death as a big loss to the Zone and Nigeria in general, said; “We heard the sad news. We are mourning him now. His death is a loss to us, the state and Nigeria”.

Born 23 November 1958, the deceased was first elected Senator for the Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State, Nigeria and took the oath of office on June 5, 2007.