The transition to eternity of another Igbo icon and Nigerian patriot, Chief (Dr.) Chris Chigoziri Asoluka, has been announced.
Chief Asoluka, from Imo State, Nigeria, was a recent aspirant to the coveted position of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He was also a former Vice President General (Imo) of the apex socio-cultural organization of Igbos worldwide, and the immediate past Chairman, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority.
A highly respected and erudite statesman, Chief (Dr.) Asoluka, a former member of the House of Representatives and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, passed on aged 70.
Asoluka, who once served as National President of Aka Ikenga, a foremost Igbo Think Tank organization, as co-chairman of South East South South Professionals (SESSP) and Chairman/member of Ohanaeze Election Committee for the 2012 and 2016 elections, was also Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development of Imo State from 1994 to 1996, Chairman, Committee of Finance Commissioners in Nigeria (1994 to 1996) and Chairman, Federal Budget Review Committee in 1995.
The holder of two Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Law (Universities of Ibadan and London respectively), Masters degrees in International Economic Relations (University of Lagos), Shipping Economics; Trade and Finance (CASS Business School) and a Ph.D. (University of Ibadan), Chief Asoluka, had, before his demise, been deeply involved in various sectors of the Nigerian economy and politics.
He had also been, in his eventful life, at different times, a Consultant on diverse issues to the Nigerian Senate and other public and private organizations as well as non-governmental bodies, within and outside Nigeria, and had contributed to the body of knowledge by writing, editing and publishing several books including: Compilation of Nigerian Maritime Laws 2 vols. (2003), and Nigerian Maritime Resources Development: Issues and Challenges 2 vols. (2003).
A widely sought after public affairs commentator, Asoluka, who worked for over 13 years in Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was before his transition, the Managing Director, FM & T Consulting Group, Chairman, Somatrade Limited and Principal Counsel, XanderMay Consulting.
Married to Mrs. Nneka Chris-Asoluka, a cerebral legal activist and Vice President of Otu Okiwu – an association of Igbo lawyers in Lagos, Dr. Asoluka, was, indeed, a colossus in every respect, and many in Igboland, in Nigeria and across the world are mourning his passage with many chorusing that an Iroko has fallen.
