By Dominion Ugwu
Late Fidelis Okoro
The trio of Senators Ike Ekweremadu, Chimaroke Nnamani and Chukwuka Utazi has appealed to the Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to immortalize a three-term-senator from the state, Sen. Fidelis Okoro who died on Sunday by naming Enugu Road, Nsukka after him.
In a motion sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) yesterday and co-sponsored by Senators Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) and Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu East), Utazi on the floor of the Senate moved that Enugu State Government should immortalize Sen. Okoro by naming the busiest street in the zone after him.
While calling on the Senate to observe a minute silence in honour of Late Okoro and to all other faithful departed, to continue to rest in peace, he also prayed the Red Carpet Chamber to send a high power delegation to the State to commiserate with Enugu State Government and the people of Enugu State, especially to the immediate family.
Speaking further on the deceased, Utazi noted that Okoro will be remembered for his sportsmanship and described him as a team player, who supported all the PDP elected Governors of Enugu State in his lifetime.
According to Utazi, “Okoro was born in 1946, in Nru Nsukka and attended St. Peters Claver’s Catholic School, Kafanchan, in Kaduna State. As a result, he spoke Hausa Language fluently.
“From Kafanchan, our Most Distinguished Senator moved to St. Theresa’s College Nsukka (STC) for his Secondary Education.
“Late Senator Okoro later moved to Awkunanaw Boys’ Secondary School Enugu to round off his Secondary Education.
“He was admitted to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan which he barely completed his first academic year before the civil war broke out.
“After the civil war, he obtained a fresh admission from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) where he studied Zoology.
“Immediately after his University Education, he got employed in Local Government Service Commission.
“When another opportunity came, he left for Police Training College where he was trained as a Nigerian Police Officer.
“Afterwards, he joined the Nigerian Custom Service. This was where he spent a greater part of his youthful years before resigning to join politics in 1979.
“Under the administration of His Excellency, Most Distinguished Senator Jim Nwboodo of the old Anambra State, Late Senator Okoro was appointed as the Honourable Commissioner in charge of Chieftaincy Matters.
“In the same old Anambra State, Late Senator Okoro was amongst the forerunners of the present FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS (FRSC) and subsequently served as Pioneer Chairman of FRSC in the State, and did fantastically well, considering his experiences garnered during his trainings in Police College and Customs.
“Late Senator Fidelis Okoro was also a successful business man. He established a FOUR (4) STAR Hotel (MILI-PAT HOTELS) in Nsukka, then Estate Businesses. He was also a major player in the downstream sector of petroleum industry of our economy, and with chains of Petrol Stations and other several businesses.
“Late Senator Fidelis Okoro was the Chairman Senate Committee on Commerce and Industry, Chairman, Senate Committee on DEFENCE.
“Most Distinguished Senator, Late Senator Fidelis Okoro was a LOVER OF LIFE and he really loves it to it’s FULLEST” he concluded.
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