“I almost feel Like Dying Now”, Anambra Deputy Governor, Ibezim Says As He Buries Elder Brother — Catholic Bishop, Ezeokafor commiserates

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka

The Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim shocked the congregation at St Lawrence’s Church Parish, Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State during the burial of his elder brother, Late Sir Nnamdi Clifford Ibezim.

For Dr Ibezim, the crowd were overwhelming and thus, he told the congregation: ” I almost feel like dying now so I can be buried this way. But, my wife said God forbid……..”,.

That was vintage Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Ibezim who addressed the mammoth crowd at the burial.
This is coming in the spirit of Ecumenism, as the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor attended the burial service to commiserate with the Ibezim family.
Just as Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo appreciated the Ibezim family for following the rules in Anambra state burial law. He noted that in the true sense of it that Late Nnamdi died untimely , as he believes in the biblical 120 years but acknowledged late Nnamdi lived a great life.

Governor Soludo reminded that the Anambra Burial Law came into existence in 2019 before him, describing it as good for everyone ,particularly the poor as its meant reduce tension and pressure on people during burial as well as meant to liberate the women. He explained further that women are free 7 days after the burial of their husband’s and no longer 1 year or 6 months. He encouraged people to celebrate their beloved ones while alive.

On the challenges facing APGA, Soludo said APGA is strong and would be stronger, adding that Anambra State is ready for elections at the grassroots having strengthened the laws of the electoral commission as an institution overseeing the election.

Meanwhile, the entire Ibezim family of Mbaukwu, friends and well wishers have paid their last respect to their late father, brother, uncle and friend, Late Sir Nnamdi Clifford Ibezim who died at the age of 65.

The late Sir Nnamdi was until his demise the brother to the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, and the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim.

In a sermon during the funeral service at St Lawrence Church Parish, Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area, the Bishop on the Lake, Rt Reverend Chijioke Oti, reminded Christians that they are mortals and shall one day depart from the earth to a place of eternity, encouraging them to always be heavenly minded and use their lives to make positive impact while on earth.

He encouraged the family of the deceased to hold God firmly and to trust Him at all times as He will not leave nor forsake them.

In various remarks, the Deputy Governor, Dr Ibezim, and Archbishop Ibezim thanked those that came to commiserate with them, saying that their consolation was that their late brother lived a good life and died a child of God.

The Primate of All Nigeria, and Archbishop Metropolitan, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Ndukuba was represented by Bishop of the Niger West, Right Reverend Johnson Ekwe. He commisserated with the Archbishop Alexander Ibezim family for the lost, urging to focus on the Lord for consolation.

In various interviews, the Chairman Anambra State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, a Public Policy Analyst, Dr Jude Emecheta, the Vicar of Our Saviour’s Parish Enugwu-Ukwu, Reverend Canon Uchenna Umeifekwem, the Chairman Anambra State Disability Right Commission, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Anthony Obieze, encouraged the Ibezim family to take solace in God who knows everything, even as they reminded people of the need to assist and celebrate their loved ones when they are alive.

On their parts, the Transition Committee Chairman for Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, National President of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Barrister Titus Akpudo, a stakeholder in Mbaukwu, Prince Nestor Ebede, while describing the Ibezim family as blessed one, commiserated with them on their loss and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

For the President Anambra State Association of Non-Indegenes, Prince Chigozie Nweke , and his Anambra State Association of Integrated Indegenes, Mr Ferguson Okpara, the death of the late Sir Nnamdi is loss for both Ndi Anambra and Non-Indegenes in the state following the effective leadership style of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, extending the condolences of the organizations to the family.

The funeral attracted top government functionaries, including Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Ugochukwu Obiefune, Bishops from Anglican and Catholic churches, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, among others.