Onwa Achina, Modestus Umenzekwe bids farewell to late mum amidst encomiums

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Covenant Oluchi Ikedinobi, Cynthia Igbokwe

Encomiums poured in as a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, Onwa Achina bids farewell to his late mother ,Princess Lolo Mrs Felicia Umenzekwe (Nee Ezechukwu) in his country home, Achina, Aguata LGA, Anambra State.

The burial ceremony presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia diocese, Most Reverend Fr Peter Okpalaeke had people from all walks of life including Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, Minister for Works and Housing, Barr. Babatunde Raji Fashola , Governorship Aspirants Including Mr Godwin Ezeemo and Senator Uche Ekwunife as well as captains of industry in attendance.

In his speech, Bishop Okpaleke described the deceased as a true lay faithful.

His words: “We came because she’s one of us, who believed and shared our faith in the communion of the saints, connection and relationship between the living and the dead”. We pray the Lord console the deceased family’.

On the uproar in the country, Bishop Okpaleke states that the situation is not just an affair of the youth alone, and unless equity and justice is restored there shall be no peace in the country.

“I’m not just interested with what is going among our youths. I am interested in the children, elders before the youths.

‘We are all worried, confusion everywhere, hardship and sufferings, we pray the good Lord gives us the spirit to persevere in unity, peace that has made us Nigerians and has made us Igbos”

” We cannot just stifle that Igboness in us saying we are one Nigeria when there are different segments in the country.

“Unless we realize and give fairness, equity to each and every segment in the country, we won’t be talking of peace. If you want peace, grant justice”, Bishop Okpalaeke concluded.

www.odogwublog.com reports that in his sermon earlier, an indigenous priest of Achina Rev.Fr. John Umeh Orjiakor enjoined Christians to live a life of humility and meekness as Christ stated in the Holy scripture.

He described late Mrs.Felicia as a rightful follower of Christ, who lived an exemplary life of humility and meekness before sojourning to life eternal.

He further charged lukewarm Christians to embrace God like never before, as Christians prepare for the breeze of the Pentecost, activating the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The President of Adem Plaza Lagos and Chief mourner , Chief Modestus Umenzekwe,
Onwa of Achina, Ezechimereze, appreciated the presence of the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Hon. Barr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works, Anambra State, Engr. Ajani Adeyemo.

Onwa who used the opportunity to address the issue of erosion menace in his community to his ally, seeks for federal intervention on the erosion before it wrecks further havoc.

” This is where I am coming from to support Abuja, Lagos. Anambra State is in total confusion about erosion, Aguata LG, is in disarray as the road is completely out of use as valley is all over the place.

“The residence house of the catholic Priest is in collapse via erosion menance. I use this opportunity to appeal to the Fed.Govt, Anambra State and to the Minister for Works and Housing to please, if not for anything come to my aid as the people of my town look up to me for solution”.

The Minister through his representative reiterated that the file of the community is at the presidency and would be duly followed up for accomplishment.

In his condolence greetings, Hon. Fashola asked Chief Umenzekwe to take heart and be a man as his mother lived an aged life.

www.odogwublog.com reports that others present at the funeral were Anambra state Governor Chief Willie Obiano represented by the Commissioner for Information, Chief CDon Adinuba, Anambra state governorship aspirants including Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, Lady Uche Ekwunife, both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rev. Godwin Okonkwo, Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo, both of the All Progressives Congress (APC) among others.

Mr. Godwin Ezeemo in his tribute described late Mrs. Felicia as a generous woman who gave people her attention when it’s due, urging Christians to be of good faith and deed as the character one displays on earth grants him/her access to heaven.

While emphasizing that his ambition is pro people, Ezeemo noted: ‘We don’t have knowledge of how to make a place work, rather we know how to destroy and people who are the electorates resort to taking money as determinant to vote”.

Different band groups and organizations took turns to perform at the funeral.

www.odogwublog.com informs that the funeral service at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Obinikpa Achina was aborted due to erosion menace that cut the road. Anambra state government has been on the road for over 10 years as it was awarded by Peter Obi, handed over to Obiano as a continiuty project but he abandoned it like Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbene-Ugbenu road with a spur to Awba Ofemmili.

www.odogwublog.com reports that the same applies to Amansea-Ndiukwuenu-Okpeze-Amaetiti-Awgbu road with a spur to Ufuma.
Over 20 catholic priests and priests from other Churches attended the funeral.