The Abia State Government has celebrated the 108th post-humous birthday of the Abia born first indigenous Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives and first Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, late Senator, Dr Jaja Anucha Wachuku (UGO NGWA).
Governor Otti also unveiled the newly renovated House, Library, as well as the tomb of the late Senator Jaja Wachuku and his wife.
Speaking during the event at the Anglican Grammar School, Mbawsi, Isialangwa North LGA, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, described the late Senator Wachuku as a brilliant lawyer, a great icon, and an exceptional human being.
“I had always known about him, but sometime in 2023, I don’t know what led me to read more about him, and by the time I finished reading about him,
“I thought we had not done well, and that’s why I insisted that this documentary be put together, and I’m sure a lot of people are surprised about what he represented, and that’s why we took this decision to celebrate him, not on the day that he passed on, but on the day he was born.
“Let us know that the reason we are doing this is because we are very clear that any society that doesn’t recognise and celebrate its heroes will soon disappear. So, we are celebrating him because of the sacrifices he made” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti, who said that he is proud of Late Wachuku, stating that he did very well, and that is what his government is celebrating. The Governor aligned with some stakeholders who spoke before him on the need to immortalise the late Jaja Wachuku, saying that it was part of his plans.
“The more I read about him, the more proud I am of him. I want to also discuss the motion that was moved, supported, and passed.
“So, I want to say that some people are in the spirit. We actually intend to name something great after him (Wachuku).
In their separate speeches, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Nkechi Nworgu, Bob Nwanunu, Darlington Nwokocha and Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, while noting the immense contributions of late Wachuku, extolled the Governor for celebrating him and renovating his house, and appealed to the Governor to immortalise Senator Jaja Wachuku.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, and son of the soil, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, said that the Late Jaja Wachuku was an icon, who was very dear to Ngwa people and Nigerians at large, but regretted that it took such a long time for Jaja Wachuku to be recognised and commended Governor Otti for his decision to honour him after rebuilding his house.
Pastor Ajagba noted that
the Governor has been celebrating others and not himself, saying that, he is not celebrating people for any political reason.
“Your Excellency, you are not doing all these things for political purposes, otherwise, you wouldn’t have been visiting Dee Sam Mbakwe’s widow” Ajagba stated.
In their goodwill messages, the leader of Ngwa Nation, Chief Theo Nkire, the President, Oha Nsulu Unity Forum, Chief Eric Opah and Professor Paul Ananaba SAN, commended Governor Otti for honouring Late Senator Wachuku, describing the gesture as unprecedented and a great honour to Ngwa the Nation.
The event featured the laying of wreaths on the tombs of Senator Jaja Wachuku and the wife by Governor Alex Otti and his wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti, while the Crème de la crème” of Ngwa Nation were present. The Governor was joined by so many Government appointees and aides during the event.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
01 – 01 – 2026.