The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, paid glowing tributes to first Nigerian Vice President, late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who passed on recently.
The House observed a minute silence in honour of Ekwueme after lawmakers took turns to pay tributes to him.
The tributes came nine days after Ekwueme died in a London clinic at the age of 85.
Before the commencement of Tuesday business, Hon, Ben Nwankwo speaking under announcement, had formally informed the House about the death of Ekwueme.
Nwankwo described the former vice president as a true Nigerian leader and called for the government to immortalise him.
He canvassed for the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko to a University of Technology, which will be named after Ekwueme.
In his contribution, Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, described Ekwueme as ‘an accomplished professional and democratic icon’.
He said: ” We cannot celebrate democracy, without remembering the role Ekwuene played. He was the first chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“He a lived a life of integrity and service to Nigeria. His death is a great lose to Ndigbo, Ndi Anambra and the entire human race.”
Similarly, Hon Nicholas Ossai stated that late Ekwueme was a man of integrity, who made invaluable contributions to the development of the country.
” He is the finest of all politicians. He was a courageous man, who stood and defended democracy. He was a compassionate man. We celebrate a man that believes in peace,” the lawmaker stated.