Motion on the demise of late most distinguished senator Fidelis Okoro, by senator Chukwuka Utazi

Motion on the demise of late most distinguished senator Fidelis Okoro, by senator Chukwuka Utazi 

A third term ranking senator of the federal republic, that once represented Enugu North senatorial district of Enugu State, between 1992-1993; 1999-2007, sponsored by most distinguished senator, senator Chukwuka Utazi; co-sponsored also by his excellency, most distinguished senator, prof. Ike Ekweremadu and senator (dr.) Chimaroke Nnamani.

The Kernels:

a. Most Distinguished Senator, Senator Fidelis Okoro, died on Sunday, May 17, 2020, in his Abuja residence, after a protracted illness.

b. He was a third term ranking Senator of the Federal Republic. He was first elected and served between 1992-1993, on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC).

c. Late Senator Okoro was subsequently elected in 1999 on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD), in a state that has been under the control of People's Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 till present.

d. Most Distinguished Senator, Late Senator Okoro decamped to PDP in 2001

e. Late Senator Okoro, again, contested his third term in the Senate in 2003 and won overwhelmingly, and served till 2007, when he bowed out honourably to give room for a successor to emerge.

f. Late Senator Okoro will be remembered for his sportsmanship, a team player, who supported all the PDP elected Governors of Enugu State in his lifetime.

g. He was born in 1946, in Nru Nsukka. Attended St. Peters Claver's Catholic School, Kafanchan, in Kaduna State. As a result, he spoke Hausa Language fluently.

h. From Kafanchan, our Most Distinguished Senator moved to St. Theresa's College Nsukka (STC) for his Secondary Education.

i. Late Senator Okoro later moved to Awkunanaw Boys' Secondary School Enugu to round up his Secondary Education.

TERTIARY EDUCATION AND VOCATIONS.

a. He was admitted to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan which he barely Completed his first academic year before the civil war broke out.

b. After the civil war, he obtained a fresh admission from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) where he studied Zoology.

c. Immediately after his University Education, he got employed in Local Government Service Commission.

d. When another opportunity came, he left for Police Training College where he was trained as a Nigerian Police Officer.

e. Afterwards, he joined the Nigerian Custom Service. This was where he spent a greater part of his youthful years before resigning to join politics in 1979.

POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTS

a. Under the administration of His Excellency, Most Distinguished Senator Jim Nwodo of the old Anambra State, Late Senator Okoro was appointed as the Honourable Commissioner in charge of Chieftaincy Matters.

b. In the same old Anambra State, Late Senator Okoro was amongst the forerunners of the present FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS (FRSC) and subsequently served as Pioneer Chairman of FRSC in the State, and did fantastically well, considering his experiences garnered during his trainings in Police College and Customs.

c. Late Senator Fidelis Okoro was also a successful business man. He established a FOUR (4) STAR Hotel (MILI-PAT HOTELS) in Nsukka, then Estate Businesses. He was also a major player in the down stream sector of petroleum industry of our economy, and with chains of Petrol Stations and other several businesses.

POSITIONS HELD WHILE IN SENATE:

a. Late Senator Fidelis Okoro was the Chairman Senate Committee on Commerce and Industry.

b. Late Senator Okoro was also Chairman, Senate Committee on DEFENCE

MOST PERSONAL BELIEF:

Most Distinguished Senator, Late Senator Fidelis Okoro was a LOVER OF LIFE and he really loves it to it's FULLEST.

Left to mourn him; the Immediate Family, Relatives, and his senatorial Constituents - as Chief Mourners.

RESOLUTION BY OUR ABLE AND FULFILLING, ELOQUENT AND FEARLESS - MOST DISTINGUISHED SENATOR, SENATOR CHUKWUKA UTAZI:

a. Called the Hallowed Chamber of Senate to observe a MINUTE SILENCE in honour of Late Sen. Fidelis Okoro and to all other faithful departed, to continue to rest in the RIGHT HAND OF THE ALMIGHTY, Amen!

b. That the Nigerian Senate should send a HIGH POWER DELEGATION to his State (Enugu) to commiserate with Enugu State Government and the people of Enugu State, especially to the immediate family.

c. Appeal to the Government of Enugu State to name ENUGU ROAD NSUKKA after Late Senator Fidelis Okoro, for IMMORTALIZATION.

As a PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANALYST, I make bold to describe the steps our amiable Senator, Most Distinguished Senator, Senator Chukwuka Utazi has taken as great and responsive representation.

I join him and other respected co-sponsors of the motion to wish late Senator Fidelis Okoro external rest in paradise.

I'm also touched by the wisdom of our Distinguished Senator Utazi as contained in his RESOLUTION. Certainly, in Nsukka Senatorial District, late Senator Okoro represented many different things to so many different people. But one thing that could not be taken away from him was that he was a proud Nsukka man; an armed peace maker and a man of courage, guts and gumption. Immortalizing him as moved would impact positively on our Nsukka-ness, because in which ever way one sees it, it will set the parameters for determining our heroic trajectories. At least we can start from somewhere.

May the soul of the Most Distinguished Senator Fidelis Okoro and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace. Amen!