By Olugbenga Salami
Senate has urge the federal government to name the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management, Uromi in Edo State after former chairman, Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, late Chief Tony Anenih.
The upper legislative chamber also charged the government to accord him all the official burial rites due to such national figure who served the country with honour and diligence during his lifetime.
It also resolved, following a motion, titled: “Demise of Chief Dr. Tony Okhakon Anenih CFR: The Iyasele (The Prime Minister) of Esan People” by Senator Clifford A. Ordia, PDP-Edo Central and co-sponsored by Senator Matthew A. Urhoghide, PDP-Edo South and Senator Francis Alimikhena, PDP-Edo North, to pay a condolence visit to his family in Abuja and Uromi, as well as the people and government of Edo State.
Presenting the motion, Senator Ordia informed the senate that Anenih, according to his family, died on October 28 at the age of 85years.
He likened the life and times of the late politician to the words of the legendary Martin Luther king, when he said: “An individual has not begun to live until he can rise above the narrow horizon of his particular individualist concerns to the broader concern of all humanity”.
The lawmaker explained that “Anenih was not only a loving husband and consummate father of all, he was a bridge builder, a detribalized Nigeria with uncommon courage, vision and capacity to deliver on promises.
“He was kind, truthful and above all very generous. He is never tired of giving either in cash or kind”, Ordia added.
He further informed: “In the course of his service to this nation as a politician and one time Honorable Minister of Works. Chief Tony Anenih have to his credit so many physical policies, plan and implemented projects which will endure beyond this generation.
“As a minister, he accorded priority to road construction and maintenance of vital roads, to enhance economic growth and social interaction”.
Senator Ordia also disclosed that Anenih initiated the policy for the establishment of Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA in addition to the Eastern bypass in Kaduna; rehabilitation of Minna Western bye-pass; rehabilitation of Awka-Agulu Ekwulobia-Uga to Imo State boarder; rehabilitation of Abakaliki- Afikpo road, Ikob Abasi-Edet road; Auchi-ekpoma Agenibode road, Idah- Ayangba Road; Denkina-Shintaku road; Penyam-Shedan Road and host of others.
He added that the deceased also initiated the construction of 48km Lagos–Benin Bye pass; construction of Ekpoma–Ilushi road; construction of Federal Secretariat, Benin City; and establishment of National Institute of Construction Technology and Management Uromi etc.
Others who contributed to the motion like the deputy senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senators Biodun Olujimi, Matthew Urhoghide, Binta Masi-Garba, and Danjuma Goje eulogised the sterling qualities of the late Anenih as a true politician and detribalised Nigerian.
The senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in his remarks described the deceased as a great man who served the country diligently and therefore deserves to be recognized and honoured.
