ASDRC Boss, Ezewuzie, buries brother in Ekwulobia amidst tears, tributes

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka

The Chairman, Anambra State Disabilities Rights Commission (DRC), Barr Chuks Ezewuzie, yesterday, buried his brother, late Sir Francis Ezewuzie amidst tears and tributes.

Late Sir Francis who is the elder brother to the DRC boss was laid to rest in his hometown, Okpo Ekwulobia in Aguata local government area, Anambra State.

Sir Francis’s death occurred on March 4, when he was involved in a fatal car accident at Uke, Idemili North LGA of the State.

The burial which was held amidst heartbreaking tributes witnessed the heavy presence of family members, friends, priests, and political associates who showered encomiums and praises on the deceased.

www.odogwublog.com reports that the late Francis was the first son of a family of three boys. He was the only brother to the ASDRC boss, Barr Chuks Ezewuzie, who had already lost his other brother some years back.

Speaking to journalists, Barr Chuks Ezewuzie, described the death of his brother as a heavy loss, stressing that the deceased, as a senior brother, played a fatherly role to him.

His words: “He, Francis, is the first of the three children. I’m the middle one. The youngest one died a few years ago. Now, I’m the only surviving son of my father right now. Francis was like a father to us because we lost our parents at quite a young age. My mother died when I was probably about 10; my father died when I was in secondary school. So, he became a father to the two of us.”

Describing the incident that led to his brother’s death, Barr Chuks said “Francis was traveling to attend the meeting of the Knight of St Mulumba alongside his wife on the 4th day of March when they had a head-on collision with an oncoming car who I understood was trying to avoid a porthole on the road along the Uke road in Idemili north.

“He died on the spot, while his wife, whom he was traveling with, was hospitalized and unconscious for 8 days. We would have lost two actually, but God showed mercy the wife survived.”

Ezewuzie described his brother as a great man and patron of so many societies. “He has been a father figure to, not just his children, but also to people in the church. He was a great man in the church and a third-degree Knight of St Mulumba. All the priests in Asaba, Onitsha, and even Ekwulobia here loved him because he is never found missing in action. Every priest in his parish had him as their backbone. Every society had him as their patron.”

He said the incident should be a lesson and called on the state authorities to expedite actions for the repair of every damaged portion of roads in the state to avert further road disasters. He specifically pointed out that the spot where the ugly accident took place had claimed the lives of many, yet had not received proper attention to save travelers plying the route.

Speaking further, Ezewuzie who was visibly emotional said his late brother was his eyes and feet. He said he was everything everywhere to him; politically, socially, and family-wise.

On his own, the grand Knight of Ekwulobia Subcouncil, Sir John Omaliko, described the late Francis as a man of peace, honesty, and faith, noting that it was Francis’ attitude and devotion to church activities that endeared him to many.

In the same vein, the first son of the deceased, Mr Chukwuemeka Ezewuzie said his father was known by the way he sees things in life. He also said that he learned honesty, sincerity, and faith from his father during the period he lived on Earth.

www.odogwublog.com reports that the late Sir Francis’ burial Mass was held at St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Okpo, Ekwulobia.

During his sermon, Chancellor of Ekwulobia Diocese, Rev Fr Lawrence Nwankwo, reminded Christians that life is ephemeral and could be likened to vapor, as such,  they should strive to live a good life and leave good legacies behind, adding that they should bear in mind that death can come to anybody at any time, whether prepared or not.

He said the deceased defended his faith in Christ when he was alive. He also described him as a disciplined and compassionate father who supported the growth and development of the church.

Fr Nwankwo advised the family not to weep as people that have lost all hope, but to console themselves and bear the loss that man must surely die.