Centenarian Eduogu's death : politicians, clergy, others must return to dust - Catholic priest

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

As all roads led to Umuchu community, Aguata Local Government area, Anambra state, for the burial ceremony of a centenarian, late Pa Nze Hyacinth Eduogu, who died at the ripe age of 107 years, the Cathedral Episcopal Vicar, Ekwulobia Diocese, Rev. Fr Alphonsus Ezeoke, who presided over the burial mass, reminded all that they must return to dust.

According to him irrespective of one’s position in the society, whether a politician, clergy, President, among others, death is an inevitable end that will come when it will come and then one returns to dust where he came from.

The Vicar who is also the Cathedral Administrator of Ekwulobia Diocese, in his homily stressed that, “The Church bringing the corpse inside the church for mass celebration signifies keeping the corpse at the feet of Jesus Christ because whenever you come to a mass, you come to the feet of Jesus Christ.

“If you look at the cross, what was done on the cross is what has been taking place on the altar, so whenever a corpse is brought to the church, it is for the water and blood which gushed out from the side of Jesus Christ to wash him(the dead), it is spiritual, that is what Christians pray for, other celebrations is to fulfil all righteousness and to showcase wealth,” he disclosed.

The Catholic priest made the disclosure at Holy Name Parish church, Umuchu St the burial mass of Late Nze, High Chief Hyacinth Ikeagwuonu Eduogu, emphasizing that the same Bible readings goes with the Ash Wednesdays which reminds the living that, “We are mortals, that you can die, dust you are and unto dust you shall return”.

In his sermon, Rev Fr Anthony Ezeoke, from St Maria Goretti Parish Umuona, charged Christians to invest in the church, disclosing that he benefitted from Late Pa Eduogu as a Seminarian, who was among those that pay stipends and see to the welfare of the then Seminarians from Umuchu.

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“Use this disposition of wealth during burial to help the needy, remember and pay school fees for the needy, build Glotto where people can pray or use this money for foundation instead,” he pleaded.

He urged the youths to seek the face of God for their progress even as he lauded the governor for the sack of native doctors and others who have been part of the societal problems.

Speaking, the Supreme President, Nze na Ozo Umuchu, Nze, Chinedu Ezeoha, described Late Pa Eduogu as one of the pillars of Nze na Ozo Umuchu who achieved a lot for the Nze na Ozo society by making sure that the society stands in Umuchu.

“Late Pa Eduogu was one of those that see to our present uniform and he was also one of those that ensure that Nze na Ozo Umuchu was registered and became a member of Nze na Ozo Aguata na Orumba. I Pray that God will receive him in His kingdom as he did his job here on earth to be emulated,” he stated.

In his words, the Chairman, Old Motor Car Park Dealers, Mgbuka Obosi, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa, (a.k.a Igwe Orumba), noted that Late Pa Eduogu fondly called (Mbakogu), died a peaceful death and had longevity.

“To me death is not a bad thing but to people, it is a bad thing when one dies at unripe age. This particular death is a celebration and we are here to tap from the blessings of longevity” I pray God for his soul to rest in peace and give the immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss,” he prayed.

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Contributing, the Chairman of Oseokwodu Market, Chief Ikechukwu Umeanozie, (a.k.a Mma eji gbu Agu), noted that longevity is God’s gift despite one’s good life, stating that Nze Mbakogu was a good man who had longevity given to him by God which showed God’s love for him

” The Bible says 70 years but God added more 30 year plus to him showing his love for him. Nze Mbakogu left legacies of togetherness, and peace, I advise his children especially the first son to maintain the peace and togetherness which the late father has cultivated in the family”, he noted.

The brother of the deceased, Chief Martin Eduogu, (a.k.a Marshal), reiterated that Late Mbakogu was like a father to him because their late father died at his early age, recalling that he wore the best school uniform during his elementary school period as a result of his brother(Late Mbakogu) who was a tailor and was always leading by example.

According to him,” Late Mbakogu was talented that he does anything he decided to do differently and excellently. He always said that he does not want any fight, problem between any of the family members. I pray that God will give him eternal rest because he lived his life well,” he prayed.

His first son, Chief Hilary Eduogu, (a.k.a. Egbuodike), MD, Zehill Industry Limited, described the father as a truthful and transparent being, who built St Matthews church, Umuchu, now called Holy Name Parish and accounted for it accurately which was not doubted by anybody, after several people who were called to build it looted the money.

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“It was in our house that the money gathered from bazaar sales were being kept and collected intact by the church at their own time. My father lost three motorcycles while running errands for the building of the church which I later complained, he told me to keep calm that when the blessings would come, I would begin to wonder what is happening, today we are reaping from the labour of our father. I pray that God would rest his soul,” he pleaded.

Expressing her joy over the life well spent by the father, the 1st daughter, Mrs Louisa Okpalaugo Nee Eduogu said “Our father while alive came to my sick bed when my both legs were cut off and told me not to die before him so that I can give him a befitting burial and directives on what can be done, but if I die before him,he would not bury me as such. I thanked God he died my death and I pray that God would grant him eternal rest.”

The second, third and fourth sons of Late Mbakogu, Chief Ifeanyi Eduogu, Nwaodu, Okwunna and Ekene Eduogu described their late father as a peace maker, charitable creature who extended his hand of fellowship to friends, relations and the needy.

Aged 107, late Pa Eduogu was the second child in a family of five, and the first son of his parents, Late Chief Eduogu and Late Mrs Akuezue Orjiakor from Amanato Umuebuluzo Umugama Umuchu.

Pa Eduogu is survived by his wife, Mrs Susana Eduogu, eight surviving children, many grand children and great grand children, two surviving siblings, Chief Martin Eduogu and Mrs Nwada Ejewekwe Amakor (Nee Eduogu), and many relations.