THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF ANAMBRA STATE, CHIEF WILLIE OBIANO BURRIED HIS MOTHER IN GRANDSTYLE, WITH A HOLY MASS CONCELEBRATED BY FIFTY-FIVE(55) BISHOPS, 200 PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS.
The Obiano family during the mother’s
funeral ceremony
enjoyed the blessing by fifty five Bishops from the Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches, as well as over 200 priests on thursday 20th July 2017, who graced the burial of their mother; Late Mrs. Christiana Obiano.
Before pontifical blessing to end the holy mass celebration, Minister of Interior- Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), who spoke on behalf of the Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, said the passage of Mrs. Obiano should serve as a reminder to
everyone that death was a necessary end. He observed that the eulogies and testimonies for Mrs. Obiano, who died at the age of 90 years, showed that she was a woman of
uncommon courage and prayed her family to continue to uphold her virtues even in death.
In his words: “We give glory to God for a life well spent and are thankful that she lived a good life dedicated to God and to her community.
“Her great legacy, of course, is Your
Excellency and we thank God that she lived to see you serve your people. Without doubt, she
will be greatly missed,” the Acting President said in a letter addressed to Governor Obiano.”
In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Hilary Okeke harped
on Mrs. Obiano’s strong belief in Christ saying that she would live forever. “Remember that we must all die one day. Death is for everybody - the rich, the poor, the young and only God knows where and when.
God had called Mrs. Christiana Obiano at the age of 90 years and tomorrow may be the turn of any of us.
“We are grateful for the life she lived and the efforts she made to raise her children after the death of her husband in 1978 such that today, one of her children is the Governor of Anambra State.
“She was indeed the mother for the poor and the needy. Her devout Christian life and her charity will surely qualify her for the heavenly life”, Bishop Okeke stated.
The cleric also told the congregation that death was not the end of everything, but what he called ‘change of address’, adding that our final address is heaven.
Addressing the people, Governor Obiano expressed joy at the excellent ecumenism that
played out at the burial ceremony whereby the clergy from all the Christian denominations participated in the burial ceremony.
He gave assurance that he would continue to
treat all denominations in the state equally.
Also in attendance were the Papal Nuncio to
Ireland, Archbishop Jude Okolo and the
Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican
Communion), Rt. Rev Nicholas Okoh.
The ceremony, which took place at the massive grounds of Father Joseph Memorial
Secondary School, Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area, also attracted the
presence of notable Nigerians, including the Inspector General of Police, who was represented by DIG Val Ntomchukwu; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; Chief of Army Staff represented by Major General Ogunadare; Deputy Governor of Imo State, Chief Eze Madumere and the Controller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (rtd).
Other dignitaries present included former Anambra State Governors Peter Obi, Mrs Virgy
Etiaba and Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Chief (Dr) Sir Victor Umeh OFR(Fmr National Chairman APGA and Senator-elect Anambra Central Zone), Senator Ben Bruce; Senator Andy Uba; Ohaneze President, Chief Nnia Nwodo; former
Central Bank Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo;
Senator Ndii Obi; National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Victor
Oye; National Chairman of United Progressive Party, Chief Chekwas Okorie,
wives of Abia, Enugu and Imo States
governors.
The pontifical Requiem mass which was officiated by His Lordship Valentine Okeke the Ashbishop of Onitsha Ashdiocese, other 55 bishops and religious leaders from various denominations; at St Joseph's Catholic Church Aguleri in Anambra East Council Area came to end at about 2pm.
There were many other personalities within and outside Anambra State presence including Senator Andy Uba(Senator Representing Anambra South), Hon Dr Godwin Ezemo(PPA Governorship aspirant), Hon Uche Ekwunife(Fmr Member House of Representative), Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rtn Hon. Rita Maduagwu and all Members of the State Assembly, the Commissioner of Police, Director of DSS Anambra State, the orator of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ken Nwogu, all the Commissioners in Anambra State, SSA's , SA's and well-known Ndi Anambra across board, including traditional rulers, friends of the Obiano family.
Soo many youth groups were also present, including TeamObiano Media group lead by Rotr Ifeanyi Anigoh(SSA To Governor On Social Media), United Anambra Youth Assembly lead by Hon Chinedu Obidigwe(Special Adviser To Governor On Political Matters), Ego Kristi Youth Movement Intl led by Ositadimma Luke Iloghalu(President Ego Kristi Youth Movement Intl.), Ohanaze Ndigbo-Youth Wing, and soo many others.
Ositadimma Luke Iloghalu Reporting From Agulueri, For Ego Kristi Media Team(Producers Of Ego Kristi Newslight and Newslight Magazine)
