The state’s reaction is coming just as Senators Julius Ucha, Ifeanyi Araraume, Emma Anosike and Hon. Uche Onyeaguocha, mourned the demise of the senator.

Speaking in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Bright Nwelue, and made available to Daily Champion, Governor Achike Udenwa, who was shocked by news of the death, said it was a great loss to the country.

According to him, late Iwuagwu, a very brilliant senator, had a very rich career in both private and public sectors where he excelled in economic policy formation and implementation.

Regretting that Senator Iwuagwu will be missed by the state and country, Governor Udenwa commiserated with members of his immediate family, his constituency, Imo State people and the Senate.

Meanwhile, the state government has opened a condolence register for the late senator, whose short stay at the Senate was eventful.

The register which opens at the Multi Purpose Hall of the state executive chambers at 10:00am today, said the state government is to enable people of the state register their condolence and sympathize with family of the late senator.

Governor Udenwa, who also prayed for peaceful repose of the deceased soul, urged people of the state to remember him in their prayers and lead lives worthy of emulation adding that Senator Iwuagwu represented a positive model for youths.

He said the 50 years spent by Senator Iwuagwu, though short, was full of activity which has helped reshape visions of the country and urged youths to emulate qualities of hard work and dedication exemplified by the late senator.

In the statement, the governor promised that the state will be fully involved in ensuring that Senator Iwuagwu is given a very decent burial.

Meanwhile, the Senate was yesterday wrapped in grief as senators mourned Senator Iwuagwu.

Early reactions to passage of the Harvard trained economist came from Senators Julius Ucha, Emma Anosike, Ifeanyi Araraume and Hon. Uche Onyeagucha who described his death as a big loss to the nation.

Speaking in a telephone chat, with Daily Champion, Senator Araraume described the demise as a rude shock and big loss, not only to the people of Imo State, but to Nigeria in general.

Said he: "Four days ago I called to speak with my friend Iwuagwu, but I got a brother on phone who told me that the late senator cannot speak to me because he was down."

He recalled how President Olusegun Obasanjo had sent a "get well card" to the late senator, adding that Senator Iwuagwu, was one of those brilliant senators that had come to the Senate to express their potentials."

On his part, Senator Ucha, described late Iwuagwu as an innocent and decent politician who departed the world when his services were most needed.

"He left this world when he would have injected new work in the system," he said.

Senator Ucha, who recalled his recent conversation with the late Senator, said late Iwuagwu once told him that he regretted being part of a political system that cannot allow one to put in his best.

Senator Anosike said he was yet to recover from shock.

Hon. Onyeagucha described the late Iwuagwu as the "finest of them all," adding that his death was a great loss to the nation.

At the Senate yesterday, visitors and staff were seen in clusters discussing the death.

On his parth, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, representing Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihite federal constitency of Imo State, said Senator Iwuagwu would go down in history as one of the best in his generation.

"He was a quality Nigerian, with a very humble disposition, very accommodating, who electrified the political terrain in Imo State in the run-up to the elections that brought him to the Senate," Hon. Ihedioha lamented.

The legislator, who represents one of the constituency within Senator Iwuagwu’s district said further that the late lawmaker "was a compelling personality who was not home with the issues and problems of the country as well as had a good idea of the solution."

He acknowledged that there was always something new to learn from the late senator, pointing out that "it is regrettable that we had to lose such a gifted Nigerian, a rare breed, at this stage of our national reforms.

"His death has left a void. May God grant his soul eternal repose," Hon. Ihedioha prayed..

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