WRITTEN BY DAMIAN EGWUONWU
Tomorrow, Nigerians from all walks of life will converge on Umunya to pay their last respect to an illustrious and a distinguished son of Anambra state,

Honourable Barrister Celestine Nnaemeka Ughanze. Cele, as he was fondly called, was an accomplished legal luminary and a seasoned parliamentarian.
Being a member of the Nigeria law school, class of 1986, a principal legal officer in Nnewi under the Ministry of Justice, Cele acquitted himself creditably as a State Counsel, before moving over to Onitsha to embark on full law practice. Cele’s experience in the legal profession prepared him eminently for the task ahead. He became a high ranking legislator in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007.
A golden fish has no hiding place. Barrister Ughanze was instrumental to the passage of relevant bills to improve the living standard of the poor. He was also a strong voice in the Hallow Chambers in the condemnation of the effort made by a Nigerian President to elongate his tenure for the third time.
Cele was the Chairman, House Committees on Privatization and Commercialization as well as Justice, Human Rights and Legal Matters. He also served as a member of the House Committees on Appropriation, Petroleum and Electoral Matters. The people of Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency will forever remain grateful to this great parliamentarian, who, for years, worked assiduously to improve the wellbeing of the people by facilitating the execution of projects and the empowerment of the youths of the area.
After completing two terms in the National Assembly, Cele ventured into consultancy and his former colleagues in the Hallow Chambers retained his services by engaging him as consultant on Bureau of Public Enterprises and National Assembly matters. He also consulted for the National Assembly on the alteration of the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Reform. He was a resource person at the sixth conference of National and State Assemblies Service Commissions in Abuja. The Late multi-skilled lawyer cum Law maker, engaged in other activities outside the law profession and legislative issues.
Cele attended the New York Institute of Finance, USA, gaining experience in International Capital Market as well as obtaining Harvard University Certificate in Executive Education in Infrastructure in Market Economy and at Florida University, he obtained a public utility research fellow award.
The political class will miss this versatile and astute politician, who has paid his dues in Nigerian politics. Despite the unstable Nigeria political climate, Cele acquitted himself creditably. The urge to serve his people in a higher capacity did not materialize after emerging as Anambra North Senatorial candidate under the defunct Action Congress in the 2007 general elections.
He was a founding member of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Chairman of Umunya ward of NRC and later, the scribe of the defunct United Nigerian Congress Party, Oyi Council Area. In recognition of his humble contributions to the development of humanity, the Nigeria Media group in the year 2000 bestowed on him a befitting honour as he was named among the most sixty active members of the National Assembly, while Rotary International, in 2001, honoured him with Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Barrister Ughanze maintained a flourishing legal practice at Abuja. During a court session held in his honor at the premises of Onitsha High Court as a member of the Onitsha Bar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, described the former legislator as a fine lawyer and a good officer serving in the temple of justice. At Abuja, during a requiem mass for him, some of his political associates in the class of Senators Chris Ngige, Andy Uba, Uche Ekwunife and Obi Anosike among others eulogized late Ughanze.
Late barrister Ughanze is survived by his wife:    Mrs. Nonye Benedicta Ughanze, five children, three brothers and two sisters and other relations. Cele, rest in the bossom of the Lord.

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