Members of the Rivers State Executive Council have described the late Attorney-General of Rivers State, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) as a shining star who played a key role in the translation of the New Rivers Development Blueprint into reality.
In a Special Executive Council session chaired by Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the council members stated that Aguma worked for the state with dedication and passion.
In his address, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike stated that the late Attorney-General served the state with passion and helped move the state forward.
He noted that the late Attorney-General of Rivers State was passionate about his duties and loved attaining great results for the state.
The governor said: “He had a great life of service and achievements. He ran a good race and served the state in a worthy manner”.
Wike noted that the sudden death of Hon Emmanuel Aguma hit the state so hard, but added that the state government must bear the painful loss.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the passion and drive of the late Attorney-General of Rivers State entrenched the development processes attained by the state since 2015.
Rivers State Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Ukel Oyaghiri said the death of Emmanuel Aguma was a bitter pill to swallow, and described him as the best Attorney-General any state would wish for.
She said: “Emmanuel Aguma served Rivers State with zeal that never wavered. He was such an asset to the state”.
Commissioner for Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye said that the departed Attorney-General took him like a brother and guided him on the path of service.
Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Engr Chukwuemeka Woke said that Aguma was a defender of the rule of law who staked his life to promote constitutional governance.
Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani said late Aguma showed uncommon brilliance and increased the depth of knowledge at the Rivers State Executive Council.
Head of Service of Rivers State, Mr Rufus Godwins said that the late Attorney-General of Rivers State acted like a cameo and left the stage when the ovation was loudest.
A guard of honour heralded the arrival of the late Attorney-General of Rivers State to the Executive Council Chamber.
He was received by the Rivers State Governor and his deputy.
Members of the Rivers State Executive Council paid their last respect to the late Attorney-General of Rivers State as his remains lay in state at the chambers.
Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Inyie Iyaye-Lamikanra has described the late Attorney General of Rivers State, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) as an outstanding professional who made valuable contributions for the independence of the Rivers State Judiciary.
In a ruling during a Special Valedictory Court Session in honour of the late Attorney General of Rivers State at the Rivers State High Court Complex, last Saturday, Justice Iyaye-Lamikanra said that the late Aguma worked hard for the Bar and Bench.
While noting that he was the first Honourable Attorney General of Rivers State to die in active service, she added that he was a shining example of the irrepressible Rivers spirit.
She said: “He was a shining example of the irrepressible Rivers spirit. He lived a life of service to Rivers State and Nigeria.
“He was an outstanding Honourable Attorney General who contributed to the independence of the Judiciary”.
The Rivers State Chief Judge emphasised that late Attorney General of Rivers State used his office to advance the welfare of judges and lawyers.
“He died when his services were most needed, leaving us with the need to search for another Emmanuel”, the Chief Judge declared.
The Chief Judge ruled that the late Attorney General of Rivers State be released to his family for burial.
In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN) praised the departed Attorney General of Rivers State for combining professional practice and NBA activities.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Dr T. E. Osakpor (SAN) lauded Aguma for his commitment to ethical law practice.
Former NBA President, Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN), who spoke for the Body of Benchers said that Aguma was never found wanting in the discharge of professional responsibilities.
The Body of Attorney- Generals of Nigeria, represented by Sani Daudu said Aguma impacted positively on the legal profession.
Chairman of NBA, Port Harcourt Branch, Mr Sylvester Adama said the infrastructural contributions of Aguma to the Bar and Bench would remain evergreen.
The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, attended the Valedictory Court session.
Moreso, despite the fact that the late Attorney-General of Rivers State, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma’s sun set at noon, prominent Nigerians across political, social and economic divides gathered at the Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Port Harcourt for his solemn funeral service.
The solemn funeral service marked by prayers and transitional hymns was formally kick-started by the heart-touching reading of the late Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice’s biography by his daughter, Miss Onyi Aguma, who stated that alongside her mother, Mrs Inime Aguma , they sang a hymn that ushered Aguma into the presence of God.
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi , Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel honoured the Attorney-General of Rivers State with their presence.
Also present were former Rivers State Governors, Peter Odili, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Celestine Ngozichim Omehia.
Former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, Senator Magnus Abe, National and State Assembly members were at the church to comfort members of the bereaved Aguma family.
In a sermon, Archbishop of Anglican Province of Niger Delta, Most Rev. Tunde Adeleye urged all Nigerians to work towards living according to the desires of God in order to inherit eternal life.
Adeleye prayed God to comfort the leaders of Rivers State, the family of Aguma and forestall such a painful untimely death.
In a funeral oration, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike noted that the late Attorney-General of Rivers State was instrumental to the massive infrastructural development in the state Judiciary and the Bar.
He announced that the Rivers State Government would re-name the Judges’ Quarters after the late Attorney-General of Rivers State when the facility was completed.
Wike thanked the Aguma family for giving the late Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) to the state for unparalleled service.
He stated that the state government would not forget the Aguma family.
The governor informed that to cement the relationship, the wife of late Attorney-General of Rivers State would be drafted into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He said: “The late Attorney-General of Rivers State was strong willed and he was loyal to the core. He was a man with character.
“His death is very painful. His service to the state will never be in vain. Having made sacrifices, the State will continue to honour him”.
Earlier on Saturday, the corpse of the late Attorney-General of Rivers State was taken to the hall of Orogbum Community, Rebisi in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area where chiefs and leaders paid tribute to him and repeatedly fired traditional canons.
President General of Orogbum Community Council, Pastor Theophilus Akugbo said Aguma was a peace maker who brokered peace within Ogbum-Nu-Abali community over disputed land issue that threatened the peace of the area.
The remains were also taken to his family residence where family chiefs and elders paid their respects at the Obiri Oro-Ede.
The remains of the late Attorney-General of Rivers State, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma (SAN) were laid to rest at his family home at Orogbum after graveside prayers and benediction.