The abrupt passing of Dr. Nnamdi Okafor, the majority leader and representative for Awka South Constituency 1 in the state House of Assembly, has shocked Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State.
Okafor, a two-term politician, businessman, and pharmacist collapsed and passed away in South Africa. He reportedly passed away hours after collapsing early yesterday in a hotel in Sandton City, Johannesburg, where he was attending a training session with other state lawmakers.
Okafor is the state’s second elected official to pass away this year. Earlier in May, the member representing Aguata 11 constituency, Dr. Okechukwu Okoye, was kidnapped by gunmen and later beheaded.
Okafor’s family members said they were yet to get details about the cause of his death.
Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, in a statement, said Soludo recalled that Okafor was an active participant at the 7th state assembly, adding that he devoted his time and energy to representing his constituency.
Soludo’s statement read: “It is shocking that the state assembly lost another lawmaker to the cold hands of death, coming barely three months after the demise of the lawmaker representing Aguata Two Constituency, Okechukwu Okoye.
“On behalf of the Anambra State government, may I use this medium to convey my sympathy to those he left behind, including his family, Awka Constituency 1, and speaker of the state House of Assembly, Uche Okafor, as well as other lawmakers.
“Indeed, life is ephemeral. May the living continue to reflect on the essence of life and live for the good of the society as Dr. Okafor did.”
According to a family member, the lawmakers finished their assignment at the weekend. While his colleagues returned to Nigeria, the Awka community in South Africa decided to host him and invited him to attend a program with them, only for him to die in his hotel room.
His Umuzocha village in the heart of Awka Metropolis has been mourning as people have visited his country home to commiserate with his family members.