Ifeanyichukwu Eze, the Personal Assistant to the Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Onah, has died following a road accident on the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway.
The Secretary of the Deputy Speaker’s Legislative Aides Forum, Mr. Chinonso Nwede, confirmed the tragic incident in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Nwede, the accident occurred while Eze was returning from a funeral wake alongside three other legislative aides and one other individual. The wake was held in solidarity with a friend whose mother’s funeral took place on January 11.
“Tragically, Eze succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, while the four other victims are still undergoing treatment for varying degrees of injuries,” Nwede said.
Until his untimely death, Eze also served as the Youth Movement Coordinator for Governor Francis Nwifuru in the Umuogudu Oshia Ward of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
Nwede described Eze’s passing as a profound loss for his colleagues and the people of Ebonyi, stating it was “one too many and too difficult to endure.” He revealed that the news was particularly devastating as plans were underway to celebrate Eze’s recent completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and other personal milestones.
“Eze’s life was not without challenges, having lost his mother at a tender age and growing up without her care. As the only son, his father had placed great hopes in him and was proud to see him grow into a capable young man serving as Personal Assistant to the fourth citizen of Ebonyi State,” Nwede added.
He expressed heartfelt condolences to Eze’s family, particularly his father, and the Deputy Speaker, while praying for the injured victims’ recovery and Eze’s soul to rest in peace. Nwede also urged the family to find strength to bear the irreparable loss.
