Lights Out for Senator Uche Chukwumerije at 75

Senator Uche Chukwumerije, former Minister of Information and senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, has died at the age of 75.

Chukwumerije was reported to have died on Sunday evening, April 19, 2015, after a battle with lung cancer. He reportedly passed away in a hospital in Abuja.

At the time of his death, Chukwumerije was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and was serving his third term as a senator.

His political career also included service as Minister of Information towards the end of the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

He later served as Minister of Information under the Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, which governed Nigeria between August and November 1993.

Chukwumerije first entered the Senate in 2003 after winning election to represent Abia North. He was subsequently re-elected in 2007 and returned for a third term in 2011.

His death came at a time when he remained an active figure in the National Assembly, where he was particularly involved in issues concerning education and national development.

The senator’s death was expected to be mourned by political associates, constituents, family members and colleagues across Abia State and beyond.