The Anambra State Government has sympathised with former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, over the death of his immediate younger brother, Engineer Bertram Ogugua Anyaoku, a former executive director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

The younger Anyaoku died at 87 years at about 7pm Nigerian time yesterday in Houston, Texas, where he was receiving medical treatment.

In a message this Saturday morning, December 18, to Chief Anyaoku, who is also the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Elders, signed by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, the government regretted that the younger Anyaoku could not survive the brief illness which gave no sign that it was serious, but noted that the late engineer led a fulfilled life and contributed significantly to the country’s development.

The late Anyaoku was a civil engineer and hydrologist who trained at the University College in Ibadan and the University of London before proceeding to universities in Holland and Australia for postgraduate studies.

“He was truly accomplished in every sense of the word”, the statement said, adding that the nation valued his services immensely.

“He was on the NIWA senior staff before the Nigerian Civil War, and when the hostilities ended in 1970 he had no difficulty retaking his job.

“Engineer Anyaoku rose to the pinnacle of his career purely on merit, and retired most honorably.”

He served on the board of Kaizen Konzult Ltd in Lagos when he left the public sector.

Adinuba noted that Engineer Anyaoku was, like any most Anambra indigenes, committed to the progress of his roots.

“He devoted time and resources to his Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area, participating actively in various endeavours towards peace and rapid growth in the community,” the State Government observed.

The Obosi people, in appreciation, rewarded him with the high traditional title of Nwanonakpo.

Governor Willie Obiano, on hearing the news of Engineer Anyaoku’s passage, quickly got in touch with the former Commonwealth Secretary General to commiserate with him and other members of the Anyaoku family.

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