The family of Osonduagwuike Onwubiko of Ndiuche-etiti, Arondzuogu; Aro-Umuduru Autonomous community in Onu-Imo Local Government Area Council of Imo state has announced the passage of their patriarch, Mazi Cyprian Osonduagwuike Onwubiko.

Mazi Onwubiko, according to a statement by one of his sons, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), died after very brief illness at the Saint Anthony Catholic Specialist Hospital in Okigwe, Imo state last week Monday, January 13.

Onwubiko, an ex-staff of The Guardian newspapers and a former Federal Commissioner of the Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), paid glowing tributes to the departed patriarch as “a man of truth who lived a happy, fulfilled and Christian life full of virtues and love of God and humanity.”

“The late Mazi Cyprian Onwubiko was a respected community leader, was also a notable sub-group leader in his home Catholic Parish of Saint Joseph Uwakonye Aniche in Arondizuogu up until his transition to eternity. Mazi Cyprian Onwubiko was a successful entrepreneur who inculcated in his Children the virtues of intellectual, spiritual and moral discipline and always stood for the truth at all times,” the statement said.

Mazi Onwubiko, who was born on March 27, 1927, is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Grace and Mrs. Beatrice; many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, among whom are Mr. Christopher Enechukwu Onwubiko, a Lagos-based lawyer of over 30 years’ post-call experience; Mrs. Patricia Okereke, a business executive in Aba; Mrs. Justina Okeke, a journalist and an entrepreneur based in Owerri; Sunday Onwubiko of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Emeka Onwubiko, a Doctorate Degree student in Australia; and Francisca Onwubiko, a teacher with the Federal Capital Development Authority in the nation’s capital.

The family in the statement also announced that events to mark Mazi Onwubiko’s solemn funeral rites will commence on March 7 in his country home, Ndiuche-etiti, Arondizuogu. “Several early callers have paid glowing tributes to the departed great soul,” the statement said. “Among those who sent in words of condolences are the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (OFR); chairman/Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Pharmacist Sam Nda-Isaiah; Editor of The Guardian, Mr. Martins Oloja; Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello-Adoke (SAN); Chief of Staff Government House Calabar, Cross River State, Mr. Alex Egbonna; former Senator representing Orlu Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly, Senator Osita Izunaso; Chairman of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Engineer Elias Mbam, among hundreds of other personalities.”

•Photo shows late Mazi Cyprian Osonduagwuike Onwubiko.