KIPHIRE — Former Nagaland Minister N Zhetovi Sema passed away at the Christian Institute Of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) in Dimapur on Wednesday evening. He was 93.
A prominent figure from Kiphire district, Sema served as a Member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) in 1969 and 1974.
Born on March 1, 1931, Sema led a life dedicated to public service, leaving his mark on politics, religion, and social organisations. He began his political career as a member of the Tuensang District Regional Council (1964-68).
He was elected to the NLA in 1969 and served until 1975. During his second term, he held a ministerial position in the 3rd state Assembly.
Beyond politics, Sema was also involved in the Church, representing the Sitimi Area Baptist Churches as an Executive Member of the Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (SBAK) from 1976 to 1982, and serving as its Executive Chairman in 1979.
He was actively involved with the Sümi Hoho, where he served as an Executive Member from 1984 to 1995, and later as the Chairman of the Eastern Sümi Sub-Hoho in 2008.
Despite stepping back from contesting elections after 1987, Sema continued to be a guiding force in his community, working for the uplift of the people.
He also served as the President of the Kiphire District Congress Committee (1996-99) and as an Executive Member of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (2000-07). In his later years, he contributed his experience as an Advisory Board Member of the Kiphire Town Council (2009), among others.
On Thursday, his mortal remains were laid to rest in his native Nitoi village.