It was a rain of eulogies yesterday as the late Pa Pius Ngige, father of Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, was buried at his country home in Alor Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Pa Ngige passed away in September last year at the age of 105 years.

Speaking at the funeral, the second son of the deceased, Senator Ngige, described their father as a contented man who loved all his children equally.

According to the minister, a former governor of Anambra State, “Papa dispensed honest advice freely and his words were full of wisdom and truth. He never followed the crowd as he looked at issues from the angle of the persons involved and peculiar facts of the matter.

“To us his children, he was like some volumes in which lessons were learnt. In fact, there was no day one would encounter him without learning a new lesson and he was a great fighter for the defenseless and the down trodden, without asking for compensation.”

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State described the event as a celebration because Pa Ngige lived long to the joy of members of his family and well wishers.

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, in a homily reminded those living that they must die one day and therefore should endeavour to keep the commandments of God at all times.

He said: “We should always realise this fact whether we like it or not. Unfortunately, the way many people carry themselves about does not suggest that they know that they must one day die.”

The cleric urged leaders to endeavour to provide good leadership, just as the followers should support them to enable the leaders succeed.

Apart from the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, who presided at the Concelebrated Mass and Bishop Ezeokafor, who preached the sermon, other clerics in attendance were Bishops Solomon Amatu of Okigwe Diocese, Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Ahiara Diocese, Bishop Isizor, Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha, Bishop Chris Efobi of Aguata Anglican Diocese, Bishop Alex Ibezim of Awka Anglican Diocese, Bishop Johnson Ede of Niger West Diocese and over 100 priests.

The Federal Government delegation to the burial was led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal. Other dignitaries included governors Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo; Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma; and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro.

Also present were former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme; former governors Peter Obi (Anambra); Chief Segun Osoba (Ogun); Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo (Enugu), Chief John Nnia Nwodo (Enugu); Alhaji Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); and Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti State).

Others included National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu; APC National Chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun; former APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; and former CBN Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, among many others. Senator Andy Uba; and Senator Stella Oduah;

•Photo by Pamela Eboh shows Senator Chris Ngige (first left) and his siblings during the funeral of their father, Pa Pius Ngige . . . yesterday in Alor Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

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