By CHARLES IWUOHA

The remains of former Deputy Governor of old Imo State, Chief Francis Orji, has been laid to rest.

During the burial ceremony which tookplace on Friday, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim have described the late former Minister of Police Affairs, who died at 89, as a patriotic Nigeria.

Orji, who was one of the founding fathers of Ebonyi State, was interred in his Ichita Ukpai villa hometown, Owutu Edda, Edda local government area of the state after church service presided by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki, Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu.

Governor Nwifuru in his tribute, described him as a patriotic and illustrious son of Ebonyi State, an upright politician and revered community leader who would be greatly missed.

He urged his family, relatives and well-wishers to emulate the legacies of the late elder statesman.

According to him, “Only our positive legacies survive after we are no more. I have said it many times that you can take everything out of a man but you can't take away his legacies.

“Our father, His Excellency, Chief Francis Orji, left tremendous legacies in Ebonyi State and Nigeria at large.

“His legacies will live forever. For this reason, we are here to pay our last respect to him.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, late Chief Francis Ama Orji lived a sacrificial life that thrived by patriotism, love, fear of God and humanity with a pure passion for excellence. He met wonderful people in his lifetime and made many friends around the world,” Nwifuru stated.

The first son of the deceased and former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Blaise Orji said he would miss his father greatly.

“What his Excellency the governor said marks it all and I am sure youheard him clear unless you want me to start shedding tears again,” he said.

However, the chairman planning committee of the burial, George Ukpai described the late Orji as a man of compassion, a man with charitable disposition.

Ukpai added that the late elder statesman fought for the common good. "He is known as a man that cried when the poor wept, a man that touched many lives and a man whose legacies will continue to vibrate in the entire country and the generation to come,” Ukpai said.

On his part, the Chairman of Edda Local Government Council, Chief Chima Ekuma Nkam, described the late former Minister of Police Affairs as a man of passion who has completed his quarter, adding that the legacy he lived would continue to vibrate in Ebonyi and Nigeria at large.

Others who attended the burial are; former governors; Martin Elechi, David Umahi and Minister for Works among other prominent leaders of Ebonyi State.