Rotimi Amaechi’s aide, Aso Wenah, dies at 54
By Kehinde Okeowo
Hon. Asondu Temple Wenah, popularly called Aso Wenah, a political ally and one of the most trusted aides of the former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has passed away.
Hon Wenah, who was a Federal Commissioner for Mobilization and Fiscal Planning representing Rivers State, died on Tuesday, November 1, at the age of 54.
The astute politician who hailed from Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State reportedly died of heart attack in Lagos.
Confirming the news of Wenah’s demise to TheNiche on Wednesday, a devastated Amaechi said, “I spoke with Aso at about 11.47am on Tuesday. I just came out of class on break at the Nigerian Law School and we spoke on phone. We didn’t conclude our discussions before I went back to class. So we agreed to talk again in the night.
“Then at about 3pm, I got a call from one of us telling me that Aso, a man I discussed with barely three hours earlier was dead. They said he complained of chest pain and that was it. He was rushed to the hospital.
“I am devastated. I still can’t believe it.”
Aso Wenah’s last public outing was at the 2023 TheNiche Lecture which was delivered by Amaechi at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Thursday, October 26.
He was hail and hearty at the occasion. Even when Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State, missed his 2pm flight back to Abuja, Aso ensured that he got another flight at 4.30pm.
Speaking on Hon. Wenah’s death, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of TheNiche, Mr. Ikechukwu Amaechi, was full of lamentations.
“I was with Aso on Wednesday night prior to the lecture. In fact, I didn’t leave his hotel room until about 11pm. Then, on Thursday, he was all over the place at the NIIA. Everyone who came for the lecture and even those who watched online noticed him,” Ikechukwu mourned.
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“He was the most efficient and loyal aide anyone could pray to have. He was a friend to all. This is sad and very devastating not only to Rotimi Amaechi but all who knew Aso.”
Commenting on his extraordinary qualities in an article in July 2020, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a media consultant based in Port Harcourt, said: “It is on record that since the inception of Rivers State in 1967 Hon Aso Wenah’s feats and innovative ideals and policies as the Rivers State Liaison Officer in Lagos dwarfed both the past and present officers appointed to handle that sensitive organ of government administration.
“His feats earned him the title of Ambassador Extraordinary of Rivers State as he used his office to attract foreign and local investments to Rivers State. He ensured that Lagos and Rivers states maintained wonderful and cordial relationship throughout his period of stewardship.”