Rivers State Governor, Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has charged friends, colleagues and family members of the late Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Chinwe Aguma to use his demise to resolve their differences and forge stronger unity among themselves.
He specifically urged them to use the occasion of the sad incidence to reenact the strong friendship which they enjoyed while living and growing up together in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike who gave the remarks at the Night of Songs organized by Friends of Chinwe Aguma at the Port Harcourt Club (Gulf Section) on Monday, described the late legal luminary as a dependable, loyal and capable ally who contributed immensely to the success of the present administration.
The Governor who was represented by the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, said the death of Aguma has left a vacuum too difficult to fill having displayed a high sense of responsibility and commitment to his duties.
The Rivers State Governor while commiserating with the wife and children of the fallen SAN however urged them to take heart as death was a necessary end for all mortals.
“I commiserate with you all by a sense of loss and sadness because I enjoyed a personal relationship with Chinwe.
“If death is something to be negotiated, believed me, the State government would have negotiated with death so that Chinwe would stay alive”, the governor said.
In his own tribute, the Senator representing Rivers South East in the National Assembly, Magnus Ngei Abe described Aguma as his brother from a different mother, adding that he and the deceased grew up and shared same apartment during his days at the university.
“I lived at his boys’ quarter rent-free. The memories of our boyhood are very much fresh in mind because Chinwe was simply a great guy.
“He told me three things he desired to achieve in life – to have a wife and raise his own family; to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); and to become Attorney-
General and Commissioner of Justice. I am consoled by the fact that Chinwe achieved all of those before the good Lord called him”, Abe said.
In his own speech during the occasion, former National President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), O.C.J. Okocha, SAN recalled his college days with the late legal icon at Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borikiri and described Chinwe as an exceptionally brilliant fellow.
“He was a handsome guy who loved life, fun and good dressing. He was a great lawyer who could be both hot and cool. While at Comprehensive, he and other friends of ours would leave school and trek to the Plaza after which we find ourselves at the famous Land of Canaan”, he joked, adding that the late Aguma lived a life worthy of emulation as could be eloquently testified by the testimonies from friends and colleagues.
Others who spoke at the event include the President of Port Harcourt Club (Gulf Section), HRH, Dr. Diamond Tobin West; Mr. Chinedum Ile, Amb. Idare Gogo Ogan; Mr. Chris Allagoa; Chief Harcourt Adukeh; Dr. Doris Cowan.
Some faces and friends of the late Attorney-General who graced the event include businessman, Mr. Omoefe Okoloko, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Joey Obue, Sody Peterside, Ivy Davies Etokapan, Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Eugene Abels, Boma Iyaye, Kwachi Thompson, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, Kio Lawson, So Dikibo, Tunde Jackson, Hon. Igo Aguma, Emenike Aguma and a host of others.
