Late Inspector Samuel Nwadiogbu goes home in style

Chukwudi Ndubeze

The body of late Inspector Samuel Chukwunweike Nwadiogbu was on Thursday laid to rest at his country home in Umuonaga village, Awka, Anambra state.

The celebration witnessed presence of the creme de la creme in the society, who bade Pa Samuel Nwadiogbu fondly called Nwabunnaia, the final farewell.

In his homily at the funeral service held at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka, Canon Jackson Onyeakagbusi extolled the Christian virtues of late inspector Samuel, saying that he lived a life worthy of emulation. He enjoined Christians to serve God in his standard and not in the standard of man adding that understanding of God be made paramount in every Christian’s life.

Canon Jackson drew his sermon from Daniel 27 and reminded Christians about the uncanny love of Christ and the need for repentance, so that they could escape eternal damnation.

 He described  Late inspector Samuel as “a gentleman to the core ,” adding that with ten percent of his type, Nigeria wouldn’t have experienced EndSARS in the immediate past year.

He stated that late Samuel maintained a good record set in the family, charging the bereaved family to rise and follow in the footsteps of their departed father to maintain the legacy that Late Samuel left behind.

Appreciating guests at the Church service,  first son of the deceased, Kenechukwu Nwadiogbu, thanked those that graced the occasion, and expressed hope that his late father is in the right hand of God. He said the onus was on the family to step up into their bogus father’s shoes.

Speaking to www.odogwublog.com crew during the event, third daughter of  deceased, Obialunamma Odogwu, wife of Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD , Director Media, Research, Communication and Public Relations, Diocese of Awka and Province of the Niger said that her late father would be remembered for the good life he lived while on earth, adding that God used him to impact positively on many lives. 

In her tribute, the wife of the deceased, Mrs Edna Nwadiogbu, said  her late husband, Inspector Samuel gave his life to the service of God despite his occupation that gave him little time. She described him as a man of few words, a peacemaker and lover of God’s word.

In the words of Mrs Chinwe Ojimba, first daughter of the deceased, the late Samuel was a great chorister who started singing at a very tender age. She said aside being an upright officer, he was always punctual to service of God and humanity.

Contributing, the fourth child of the deceased, Oluchi Okoye described her late father as a good teacher of honesty and integrity. She noted that late Pa Samuel was an ambassador of Christ on earth through his dedicated service to God and humanity.

Similarly, the second daughter of the family Ngozi Okoye said that late Samuel was a wonderful father whom she did like to be daughter to if given the opportunity.

Recall that late Samuel who died aged eighty- eight (88) years was a member of the St. Faith choir until his passing. He joined the Nigerian Police Force in 1962 and was one of the team that accompanied Ojukwu to Uli Airport at the end of the civil war.

Until his passing, late Samuel who was blessed with six children was a dedicated member of the church, a member of the Parochial Church committee, a member of the church choir , Father’s fellowship and Bible society of Nigeria.

In his tribute, Engr Okey Ojimba while celebrating the life his late father In-law lived said that he lived a peaceful life without bothering his subjects even at the point of death.

Also in his tribute, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD was full of appreciation for the lessons and blessings he tapped from Pa Samuel whom he married  his third daughter. 

Odogwu who blamed Pa Samuel’s death on the carelessness of medical personnel at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka said that the lessons he got from his late In-law yielded immeasurably in his life and family.

As well, Dr Ifeanyi Okoye maintained that late Samuel was one of the gentlest persons  he came across in life. He said late Pa Samuel’s legacies was God inspired.

Another son in-law, Chinedu Okoye typified Pa Samuel’s demise as that of a saint even as he noted that his In-law went home to meet His maker amidst joy and celebration  reflective of the life he lived.

Also, Hon. Justice Chinyere Kalajine Anigbogu (Rtd) said that his late brother (uncle) laboured to live unblemished and untainted life for Christ. He stated that late Inspector Samuel passed-on whole, clean and without stress and pain, adding that late Samuel set a standard for the living to live within the Christian charter. 

However, the Cathedral Administrator Ven Samuel Okonkwo who led other clergymen to the service encouraged the deceased children to emulate the standard of honesty and selfless service of their late father who lived for others and dedicated his life to serving God and humanity. 

Ven Okonkwo insisted that if they have learnt something from their father, his big shoes would be easier for them to wear but if they haven’t learnt anything, they would be unable to fit in and selflessly serve God and humanity like their father did.

Other Priests with him were Canon Jackson Onyeakagbusi, Rev. Canon Dr Onyeka Egwuonwu, Revd Dr Chinwuba, Rev Hon Bosah, Rev Godwin C. C and Rev Azunuike. 

Also present were Uko Emmanuel Ogbuefi, Ven  Emma Ugwualor, Rev Augustine, Rev G. I. Okoye, Rev Chidozie, Rev Basil Ozoemena, Rev Christian Ibekwe and Rev Emmanuel Ike Nnamani.

Others were Rev Obinna Mmaduabuchi, Ord K. Nwangu, C/T Ezekiel Chinedu Ejiofor, Dr G. O. Madubuike, Rev Chukwunonso J. and Rev Canon Emma Nwabachili. 

Highlight of the burial ceremony was a twenty- one (21) gun salute followed by parade by men of the Nigerian Police Force, all in honour of the late inspector’s meritorious service to the nation.

Former Governor Peter Obi was represented by Barr Valentine Obienyem, Prof Chinyere Okunna, who is also Director Unizik Fm, REC Imo state, Prof Emeka Ezeonu among others attended the funeral.