It was a parade of political heavyweights yesterday in Awka as people from all walks of life thronged the Anambra State capital for the burial of Mrs. Colette Ben-Obi, wife of the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Intra-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi.

The roll call included former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha; Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi and his wife, Margaret, as well as former senate presidents, Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani.

Also present were Senator Uche Chukwumerije; Senator Hope Uzodinma; Senator Azu Agboti; former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo; former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu; former minister, Dr. Tom Ikimi; former INEC chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu; former Nigerian Ambassador to the USA, Dr. George Obiozor; and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

There were also former national chairman of PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh; former Minister of External Affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu; former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih; factional national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh; Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu; Senator Mike Ajegbo; member of House of Representatives, Chief Ben Nwankwo, and National Coordinator of Transform Nigeria Movement, Chief Obi Ochije.

Multi-millionaire businessman, Prince Arthur Eze; business mogul Alhaji Isyaku Ibrahim; Alhaji Idi Farouk; traditional ruler of Awka, Igwe Gibson Nwosu; chairman of South-East Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Cletus Ilomuanya; and Obi Chris Onyekwulije of Umunya were equally in attendance.

According to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and other members of the clergy present, the consolation to the Ben Obi family is that the deceased lived a fulfilled life.

In his sermon, Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, noted that the death of a wife naturally creates uncertainty in the life of the man and assured Senator Obi that the best way to overcome it was to be close to God at all times.

“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. 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,” Okoh said.

In his tribute, President Jonathan observed that by the passing of his wife, Senator Obi had lost an inspirational and a uniquely supportive partner. He prayed God to grant him and his children the strength to cope with the pain of the loss.

Atiku in his tribute said that as a Muslim he believes that it is God who gives life and it is He that takes it away at a time of His choosing. He urged Obi to thank God for the wonderful life his late wife lived.

In his speech, Governor Peter Obi expressed joy at the turnout of prominent Nigerians who came out in their large numbers to sympathise with Senator Obi. He said that though Collette Obi was no more, the fact that she lived her life in accordance with the Christian belief inspired hope in those living.

Condolence messages also came from the First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan; Vice President Namadi Sambo; Senate President David Mark; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings; former Chief of Staff Ebitu Ukiwe; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alpha Belgore (rtd); as well as the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Edo, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Oyo states, ministers and members of the National Assembly.

•Photo shows Mrs. Collette Obi’s remains on the way to the grave.

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