BY IKHILI EBALU, BEIN CITY.
Almost two years after his demise, former Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, RT Hon Zakawawu Garuba, is still been celebrated for his good deeds while alive.
His Alma mater, Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi, Etsako West, bestowed a posthumous award on the late politician whose clout still bestrides the Edo North political landscape like a Colossus, even after death.
The old boys of the school, at its annual dinner party, held in Benin, Edo State capital, rekindled the memory of the man fondly called Hon Zak by admirers, with a posthumous award of excellence for his uncommon leadership.
Describing Hon Zak as a “rare breed”, the Benin chapter chairman of the old boys association of the school, Mr B. I. Emoeduma, noted the imprints of the late politician in galvanising financial and moral support for the overall growth and development of the school would never go unnoticed.
Mr Emoedume narrated how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted negatively on the chapter’s activities, saying the chapter will not however relent in its determination to continue to support both the school and the members.
In particular, he recalled how the former Speaker, as the team lead of the special committee set up by the World Wide body to support and bring succour to indigent members, he was able to display unimaginable dexterity and uncommon zeal on the assignment
Chief Tom Uloko, chairman of Edo State Local Government Service Commission and also an alumni of the school, chaired the award ceremony.
Widow of the late politician, her lordship, Mrs Hassana Garuba, received the posthumous award on behalf of her husband.
Also honoured during the occasion was Hon Paschal Ugbomeh, himself an alumni.
Hon Ugbomeh, a former lawmaker and chairman of Etsako Central local government area, also serves as the world wide president of the school’s alumni association.
Late Hon Zakawanu Garuba was admitted into Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi,a prestigious missionary institution in Edo North senatorial district in 1978 and left in 1983, at the completion of his WASCE