BEVERLY HILLS, October 29, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his condolences to the Anenih family on the death of its patriarch, Chief Anthony Anenih.
Buhari’s condolence message was contained in a statement made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.
The President who also commiserated with the government and people of Edo State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the late Anenih as a frontline figure in the annals of the country’s political history.
President Buhari affirmed that across the political spectrum of Nigeria, Chief Anenih was known for his strong views on issues pertaining to the unity and stability of the nation.
He prayed for the repose of his soul and also asked that God grants the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
The statement read, “President Buhari also commiserates with the government and people of Edo State and the Peoples Democratic Party on the passing of their illustrious son and former Chairman, Board of Trustees.
“As a frontline figure in the annals of our country’s political history, the President attests that Chief Anenih lived a life of service, as State Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria, National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, chieftain of the PDP, and a former Minister of Works.”
Also, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, have expressed grief over the death of Anenih.
Saraki, while reacting to Anenih’s death via his social media accounts, said the PDP chieftain would be dearly missed.
He wrote, “Chief Tony Anenih was a consummate leader statesman who played several defining roles throughout Nigeria’s democracy. He will be remembered for his great patriotism. And his insight into national issues. He will be dearly missed. Rest in peace, Chief.”
Ekweremadu also expressed “deep grief” over the demise Anenih, describing him as a pan-Nigerian and patriot who served the nation to the best of his ability.
On his Facebook page and Twitter handle, @iamekweremadu, he said, “Chief Anenih contributed so much to deepening our democracy and setting the nation on the path of progress at the end of many decades of military rule.”
In his reaction, a former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, said the death of the former minister was painful.
Uduaghan, in a statement by his Media aide, Monoyo Edon, said Anenih’s death was a painful reminder that the pool of Nigeria’s committed nationalist leaders was depleting.
He said, “Anenih was like a father-figure to me privately and on my political sojourn. He gave me the privilege of his listening ears in troubled and in good times.
“I shall forever cherish the very good memories we shared together, he was my run-to adviser who threw his doors open to me, even at short notice. I generously tapped from his wealth of experience and I am the better for it today.”
Also, the Edo State Government commiserated with the Anenih family over the death of its patriarch.
Governor Godwin Obaseki, in a statement on Sunday evening, said that the entire state was saddened by the loss.
Obaseki described the late politician as a leader who made immense contributions to the development of the state and the country.
Similarly, a former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, described the late PDP leader as a “political strategist” whose death had brought to an end a remarkable era in Nigerian politics.
Ibori, in a statement issued by his media aide, Tony Eluemunor, said Anenih was a depository of political wisdom, a library of contemporary Nigerian political history and the nation’s foremost political tactician for decades.
The Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, said, “Through his purposeful leadership and development strides, the late Anenih influenced the dualisation of the Benin-Asaba Road, Benin-Warri Road and the Benin Bypass Road, which brought about unprecedented development to the Niger Delta region.”
Anenih, who was said to have been ill for an undisclosed period of time died at the Cedar Crest Hospital, Abuja, at the age of 85.
Born on August 4, 1933, in Uzenema-Arue in Uromi, Anenih joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1951 in Benin City.
He attended the police college in Ikeja, and was selected for further training in the Bramshill Police College, Basingstoke, England, in 1966 and the International Police Academy, Washington DC, in 1970.
He served as a police orderly to the first Governor General of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
