The senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Uche Chukwumerije, 76, is dead. His death was announced Sunday by his son, Chika, a 2008 Beijing Olympic Bronze medalist.

He was first elected to the Nigerian senate in 2003. He had served as Minister of Information in the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida and the Ernest Shonekan led Interim National Government.

Senator Chukwumerije, the senate committee chairman on Education, died on Sunday at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja, after a brief ailment.

In a statement, the senate described the late senator as a political giant and one of the nation’s finest legislator.

Senate Spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in a statement said: “The Senate will surely miss his erudite contributions on the floor of the chamber and his painstaking approach to committee work. Chukwumerije was indeed an embodiment of legislative tradition and consummate activists democrat who loved his people passionately”, he said.

Chukwumerije according to Abaribe will be remembered for his deep love for Ndigbo, which was manifested in his relentless struggle for the total political and social emancipation of the race over the years.

Continuing, Abaribe said the late Senator’s love for Nigeria and her corporate existence was unprecedented.