By Uzo Ugwunze
It was pomp as the crème de la crème
thronged Omimi Uke community, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra
state, as a former chairman, Electronics International Market Onitsha, Dr.
Izuchukwu Okoye, buried his father, late Chief Boniface Amamchukwu Okoye.
Among those who paid tribute
included, the National chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Hon.
Sly Ezeokenwa, member representing Onitsha North 1, in the State House of
Assembly, Hon. Justice Azuka, member representing Onitsha South 2, in the state
House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Umennajiego, and former member representing Orumba
North and South in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Okwudili
Ezenwankwo.
Others were, Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Mr. Samuel Ike, caretaker committee chairman,
Onitsha International Electronics market, Chief Dona Obi, former President
General, Onitsha Bridgehead market, Chief Sunday Obinze, former chairman, APGA
ward 3, Chief Simon Ezeabata, Price Uzoma Ubaoha, chairman Board of Trustees,
Association of Music Film Production and Marketers of Nigeria, and a
pharmaceutical business magnate, Chief Nebedum Onyeka James.
In his tribute, the APGA
National chairman, urged Izuchukwu to take heart stating that he was saddened
by the sudden death of his father who he said was a remarkable personality that
touched most souls with his kindness, wisdom and warmth.
Also, the two LP lawmakers
present, Umennajiego and Azuka, urged Izuchukwu to take heart adding that by
their reckoning late Okoye was a good man who lived upright life worthy of
emulation.
Senator Tony Nwoye
representing Anambra North Senatorial District and Hon. Emeka Idu, representing
Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency, also in their tribute said they
sympathized with him on the death of his father adding that they were aware of
what he was going through.
The eldest son of the family,
Chief Chidozie Okoye, said words were not enough to describe his late father's achievements
and life worthy of emulation he lived while on earth.
He said that his father's
dedication to Christian faith was unshakable recalling that he was never envy
to people's achievements but rather feel happy and advised on how to sustain
the tempo.
Speaking, the former Rep's
member, Ezenwankwo, said that Izuchukwu was his bosom friend adding, "We
are here not to mourn but to celebrate longevity," adding that late Okoye
lived a life worthy of emulation.
"Izuchukwu is my good
friend and he should emulate his late father who also dedicated his life to
God. God will give the family the heart with which to bear the loss.
On the present economic
quagmire he advised Nigerians to be patient adding that with time it will come
to pass.
Earlier, the permanent
secretary, Ministry of Industry, Mr. Samuel Ike, urged Izuchukwu and his family
to take heart adding that his late father lived a life of emulation.
"I am here to sympathize
with Izuchukwu, he is my good friend and did his best as former chairman of
Onitsha International Electrics market. You can see the large number of people
here because of him that shows he is good like his father."
" I Pray God to give the
family the heart to bear the irreparable loss, the late Okoye made his mark in
the sand of time prior to his exit," he stated.
The chairman of Onitsha
International Electronics market, Chief Obi described Izuchukwu as a nice
person that made the market what it is today, even as he sympathized with him
over the loss of his father.
"We sympathize with him
over the death of his father even though that it is better for son to bury his
father than the reverse," he stated.
In his post burial
speech/tribute, Izuchukwu, who is the second son, commended all and sundry for
being physically present at the father's burial despite their tight schedules
and prayed God to protect them back to their destinations.
He described his late father as
an epitome of goodness and justice stating that testimonials abound to attest to
this character of a man who lived the life of a saint.
"I have no doubt that my
father accomplished the duties and responsibilities of fatherhood without fear
or favour. He treated everybody that came around him and issues with equity and
fairness irrespective of parties involved," he revealed.
Also Izuchukwu's wife, Mrs. joy
Okoye, described her late father in-law as a kind hearted man who always wanted
to eat her food whenever she came calling in the village and asked her to make
more babies since her children have grown up.
"You were a man whose kind
gestures are worthy of emulation. I will forever miss your company and fatherly
advice, in the next world you will remain my father in-law," she prayed.
Aged, 89 years, late Chief
Okoye was born in Uke, Idemili North Council Area, to Mr. Okoye Akuchukwu and
Mrs. Nwanyi Eke Gold in the nineties. He was the second child of his mother.
His growing up was an uphill task as he lost his father at a very tender age
but became an accomplished business man later in life.
He was married to Mrs. Martha
Okoye, (nee Maduekwe) and the marriage was blessed with four boys and two
girls, Chiagozie, Dr. Izuchukwu,, Tochukwu, Ifechukwu, Chikaodili Ezionwu and
Ozioma.
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