Nigerians Pay Last Respects To Nmerukini

Nigerians from far and wide have paid their last respects to the former Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government, Chief Azubuike Mmerukini, who passed away recently at the age of 72.
Speaking to National Point during the funeral over the weekend at his country home in Port Harcourt, the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 general election for Port Harcourt City 11, Federal Constituency, Hon. Collins Owhonda said Nmerukini did not only work hard for himself, he was also able to touch lives.
He described the deceased as an illustrious son of Rebisi Kingdom, recalling that during his time as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) who represented PHLGA Constituency 3 between 1999 and 2003 he carried out his oversight functions effectively.
Also speaking a member of the National Union of Road transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Boniface Nmesi said that members of the union are pained and shocked that they lost one of their own.
He described him as a pillar in the union and in his community.
Chief Nmesi pointed out that before his demise, Nmerukini was a strong leader of the Bayelsa and Rivers states branches of the Union, saying that when they had crisis Nmerukini was able to use his goodwill to resolve it.
Nmesi, who is the financial secretary of the Nkpolu Orowurukwu branch of the union, stated that members of the union would have to look for a replacement for Chief Nmerukini both at the South-South and at the national levels.
The unionist explained that late Nmerukini did not only do well as a unionist from the 80s to death but was able to reach out to many people in a cosmopolitan city like Port Harcourt. That he said was why members of the union and his constituents were able to elect him as a member of the Rivers House of Assembly in 1999 and the Mayor of Port Harcourt City in 2002.
On his part, an ex-Nigerian International Player (Footballer) Mr. Kennedy Chinwo said that when his own biological father died some years ago, Sir Chief Nmerukini took him (Kennedy Chinwo) as a son and that enabled him to excel in his professional career as a footballer.
He described late Nmerukini as a generous man who was able to use his personal resource to empower others.
The former Dolphins FC (defunct) player explained that when things became difficult for him he always ran to Nmerukini to help him out.
While a bosom friend to Nmerukini, Pastor Emeka Ebeagwu said that the Chief Nmerukini was not only a friend but a master.
“During his life time Chief Nmerukini was not only my friend but my master. In the 80s, when I was into business I supplied all the building materials Nmerukini used for all his buildings. In fact, till today our relationship has been smooth and cordial before he passed away.”
Pastor Ebeagwu prayed that God would protect and give the children of late Sir Nmerukini the strength to bear the loss.
In his contribution, Elder Resi Worha said that during his life time Chief Nmerukini earned his respect.
“Chief Nmerukini was one of the paramount rulers in Rebisi Kingdom that earned reputation, integrity and respect. In fact, he was one of the people I respected not only in Rebisi Kingdom but in Rivers State,” he said.
He prayed that God would give the people of Rebisi Kingdom and Rivers State like Nmerukini.
Coach Albert Chinwo said that Nmerukini care of him and showed him a lot of love and respect. He described him as not just a Mayor but a giant.
Chinwo explained that he benefitted significantly from Chief Nmerukini, pointing out that his death is a lesson to all.