IDEKE: Senator Okey Ezea's significant strides in the 10th Senate

With the death announced of the Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial, the 10th Senate has joined the Nsukka zone in the mourning of their illustrious son, popularly known as Ideke.

A shipping magnet, Ideke, a lawyer, on graduation from the University of Nigeria worked the Nigeria Customs Service before moving into business where he established Ideke shipping line.

Twice he contested to be the Governor of Enugu State and twice he lost to former Governors Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, respectively.

He however, latter floored Ugwuanyi in the 2023 election to become the Senator for Enugu North Senatorial district, under the hurricane platform of the Labour Party (LP).

In the Senate, with the two and a half years of his foray at the national assembly, he made significant strides becoming “active and influential voice” in the upper chamber.

At the commencement of the 10th Senate in 2023, Ezea served as Chairman of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. He later took on additional leadership responsibilities as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development.

Until his death, he doubled as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD, as well as the Senate Committee on Culture and Creative Economy.

His legislative record included sponsoring the bill to establish the Federal College of Agriculture, Adani, and championing the creation of Adada State—a proposal he pursued with what colleagues described as “stoic determination.”

He also raised several motions, notably one urging the establishment of a military base in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, following repeated deadly attacks by bandits in the area.

Outside the National Assembly, Senator Ezea held significant public service roles, including Chairmanship of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State.

The Senate shared the grief of Ideke's unfortunate and tragic demise with his constituents in Enugu North, Enugu State, Nigerians, and most especially the immediate family members.