Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has said his mother, Nneka Chidoka, died of cancer scourge.

He however said early detection and treatment of the 15-year old ailment made her stay longer.

Fielding questions from newsmen at the mother’s burial ceremony at his Obosi country home, Idemili North Local Government Area, Former Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said his family was setting up the Nneka Chidoka Outreach as a mark of respect and in her memory.

He said the outreach would screen, treat and conduct surgeries on women with cancer free of charge.

According to him: “Our mother meant everything to us, she is our refuge, she fought for us and defended us.

“We want to tell people that cancer is not a death sentence, it is preventable, curable and need not kill any woman.

We are importing HPV vaccine for treatment of cancer patients.”

In his homily, Primate of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd Henry Ndukuba urged the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived a good life and had gone to be with her maker.

Ndukuba,who was represented by Dean Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion,

Most Rev’d Dr Ali Lamido described death as an inevitable end as man would not live forever.

He warned the bereaved’s family not to let her legacy die, and advised the congregation to make amends with God if they have not.

“Any life that was not lived with service to God, Church and humanity is a wasted life.

“Mama served God, served the church, this is the kind of death people should strive to die: dying in the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.

The Primate prayed to God to comfort the Osita and other members of the family including their 96 years old Patriarch, Ogbueshi Ben Chidoka and charged them not to let the good legacies of their mother to die.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo, while consoling the family, described their mother’s death as a loss for all of Anambra, but that they should rejoice because her death is a glorious one.

“We celebrate life today because, according to the testimonies we’ve heard, Mama Victoria lived a victorious and impactful life.

“We honor Chief Osita and all of the children Mama Victoria left behind. They are a metaphor for what we should strive to be,” Governor Soludo stated.

Addressing the youths of Obosi, the Governor recalled that he has not seen anyone who lived a life of violence and criminality until the age of 75, noting that crime has no place with longevity.

“Ndi Anambra should be inspired by the Chidoka’s and their principled way of life!” he futher explained.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, and Mr Peter Obi a former governor of Anambra and presidential candidate of Labour Party were among top dignitaries who joined Chief Osita Chidoka, former minister of aviation, at the burial of his mother Deaconess late Nneka Chidoka on Friday. (The Nation)

•Collage of scenes from the burial

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