Senator Annie Okonkwo, 63, Dies

By Charles Igbo

A prominent Anambra son, Annie Okonkwo, is dead.

Okonkwo died Wednesday, June 7, 2023,  after an illness which kept him off the political and social circle for a couple of months.

The former Senator who represented Anambra Central Senatorial District in 2007, under the Peoples Democratic Party, was a very successful business man before he joined Politics.

Okonkwo hailed from Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area, and was the founder of Clemco Industries. He was, also, a known philanthropist.

He had, a couple of times, aspired to be the  Governor of Anambra State, but he was unsuccessful on each occasion. But one of his sons, Uchenna Okonkwo, following his father’s footsteps, is now, a House of Representatives Member-elect for Idemili South Federal Constituency.

Dr Uche Nworah, a family friend, who had drank from Okonkwo’s milk of kindness. confirmed the news of his passing on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in a post on social media.

He wrote: “I just woke up to the sad news of Agunaechemba’s (Senator Annie Okonkwo) passing. Agu was a kind man, and a benefactor to many. A colossus in Community affairs and Nigerian politics. He was a pioneer businessman that inspired many Igbo people in the 80s, 90s, and in later years with his positive exploits at Clemco Industries, Reltel Wireless, and other chains of businesses. I am a beneficiary of his kindness and the kindness of the Okonkwos. He has finished his race on earth and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with the entire Okonkwo family at this time.

May his soul rest in peace.”

Senator Okonkwo was last seen at a reception for Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, in the USA, and most recently in a photograph with his son, Uchenna, when he went to present to his proud father his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as a House of Representatives Member-elect.

Okonkwo was aged 63 years.