From GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday led other prominent Nigerians and foreigners to identify with Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Relations, Sen. Ben Obi, as he buried his wife, the late Deaconess (Chief) Collette Ojirhomu Ben-Obi, in his country home, Awka, Anambra State, yesterday.
It was a gathering of prominent clergymen, politicians, businessmen and traditional rulers, just as it was tribute galore, with the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Grace, Nicholas Okoh, who preached the sermon at the funeral service, describing the late Deaconess Ben-Obi as one that lived a fulfilled life.
The roll call was endless as the Primate led eight other bishops, including, Archbishop Christian Efobi, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma of Enugu and host Bishop, Dr. Alex Ibezim and over 30 Anglican clergymen and the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara in the service.
Also at the funeral service were Governor Peter Obi, his wife, Margaret and members of the state executive council and top government functionaries of the state.
Two former Senate Presidents, Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani, former Governor of Old Anambra State, Sen. Jim Nwobodo; Senator Mike Ajaegbo and serving senators, Uche Chukwumerije, Hope Uzodinma and Azu Agboti and member of House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Nwankwo, were all present.
Others present were Nigerian Ambassador to Spain and wife of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu; Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Chief Tom Ikimi, former Central Bank Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo; former INEC chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu; former Nigerian Ambassador to the USA, Dr. George Obiozor; former minister of External Affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu (retd); National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh and wife; former national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh; former Minister of Women Affairs, Chief Mrs. Josephine Anenih, and Mr. Kofi Adams, who represented former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings.
In the business sector were oil magnate, Prince Arthur Ezeh who donated N20 million to the resource centre the Obi family wants to build for the church in memory of her wife; business mogul, Alhaji Ishiaku Ibrahim and Chief Chidi Onwuegbu of Chisco Transport, just as there were Alhaji Idi Farouk, Prof. Boris Boris, Prof. Chinwe Obaje and Chief John Nnia Nwodo.
The traditional rulers were not left out, as they were led in their numbers by the Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Cletus Ilomuanya with the traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu; Igwe Anugwu of Mbaukwu and Igwe Chris Onyekwulije of Umunya in attendance.
In his sermon, Primate Okoh, consoled Senator Obi and family, noting that though the death of a wife naturally creates uncertainty in the life of the man, the best way to overcome it was to be close to God at all times.
He stated that having lived happily with his wife, Senator Obi should continue to live well to the glory of God.
According to him, "your marriage to Collette was a happy one while it lasted and the hope is that two of you will meet again to part no more. Your wife was a woman of great values and if she had a choice, she would not have wished to die so as to continue to stay with you. But she had no choice because death is a necessary end. No matter the waves troubling your boat at this time, if you trust Him you will not sink, the power of the Lord will enable you to keep going and you will stay afloat."
He however, lamented that the problem in the nation, saying: "We live in a country where values have been badly eroded and this values have been eroded because of undue emphasis on things we can see, money and what money can buy and other trappings of social life. It is important that we realised how limited of a value this things are and that there comes a time when they will be useless and inapplicable."
The Primate therefore, urged Nigerians to "live as people who are not concerned only to the materials of this world, live as people who are not restricted to time and space but like people who are dedicated to the heavenly kingdom."
The remains of the late Collette were later interred at Senator Obi's compound at about 12.35pm.
Senator Obi thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo for their support. He also thanked his in-laws for accepting his request to soft pedal on their tradition and allowed him bury his wife in his house in Awka rather than in Edo State, which was also his wife's wish.
Condolence messages were received from various places, including those of the president, his wife, the vice president and former heads of state.
President Jonathan, in his tribute, said that by the passing of Collette, Senator Obi had lost "an inspirational and a uniquely supportive partner" and prayed God to grant him and his children the strength to cope with the pains of the loss.
Atiku, in his tribute, said: "As a muslim, I believe that it is God that gives life and it is He that takes it away at a time of His choosing," stressing that what should be done would be to thank God for the wonderful life late Mrs. Obi lived.
Governor Obi, in his brief speech, thanked the people for coming to sympathise with Senator Obi, and said they were consoled that Collette lived her life in accordance with the Christian belief.
Via: Sun News Online