Edwin Nwachukwu, an Assistant Editor-in -Chief (AEIC) with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday buried his father, De Sunday Nwachukwu who died at the ripe age of 105.
The late Nwachukwu, a retired Naval Officer, died on Aug. 18 and was buried at family compound at Umuana Ndume Ibeku area of Umuahia, Abia.
The Wake and Service of Songs for the deceased were held at family compound on Thursday with family, friends, church members, community leaders pouring out tributes on the late Nwachukwu.
Many, who paid tributes described the deceased as peace-loving and honest man among other virtues.
The Lying-in-State was also organised in his honour at the family compound on Friday morning before the funeral service at St. ANN’s Catholic Church, Ahiaeke Ndume Ibeku and internet.
In his homily, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Elias Ibedu, who prayed for the corpse before wheeling to the church auditorium, said that the late Nwachukwu led a good life of peace, hence the need for all the living to be conscious of the life they live.
Ibedu said: “He is no longer with us, but the kind of life he lived while he was with us worth emulating.
“It is not when you die that matters, it is what you do when you are alive that people will remember you for. What will people say about you when you die? A lot of people are here putting pains on others.
“The most important thing is what people say about us. What are the things we do while we are alive. On the Last Day, we shall see the Lord face to face.
“Those who will see the Lord are only those who live well and fear God. We still have the chance to make things better in our life and turn from our wicked way to God.”
He urged the family to watch against discord and not allow anyone to sow seeds of disunity among them.
“If you say your father is a man of peace, then take peace very important. Let his exist bring you more together and correct those things that are wrong.
“Let the exit of your father be a unifying factor among you all.
“If you leave here, what will you be remembered for. Papa has done his own race, the race is now left for you and for me,” the priest said.
Speaking, Edwin, the first son of the deceased said that his father would never be forgotten for being a rally point in the family.
Edwin, who organised a tea party to remember what his father loved doing each morning with all family members, said his late father would forever lived on in their hearts.
He said that his late father never oppressed anyone with his position as a former military man.
Another son of the deceased, Pst Innocent Nwachukwu said that his late father had a large heart and was a man of contentment.
“My father loved every body. He does not hurt people, he likes to give even his last Kobo. He loves people to be around him,” he said.
NAN reports that as a community leader, the late elder was honour with seven gun shots at the Village Arena of Umuana Ndume Ibeku and another seven at his residents.
One of the village elders, Chief Owa-Ohia Gbaruko
described late Nwachukwu as a man of great virtues.
“He was such a very peaceful man. Many of us dreamed to be like him when he was in the Military as a naval officer over dressed in White. He loved peace and pursued it till death..
“He spoke true to all who care to hear. He never oppressed anyone.”
Nwachukwu died 11 months after the death of his wife, Mrs Salome Nwachukwu in June 2021 on at the age of 88.
Many dignitaries attended the funeral service including NAN serving and retired editors and former managing editor from different parts of Nigeria.
They include: Mr Tony Nezianya, Former NAN Managing Editor and Chief Publicity Secretary to Ex-Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra, and Ex-Deputy Editor-In-Chief, Prince Wale Ojetimi.
Other editors that graced the ceremony are Mr Babatunde Abdulfatah, Head of NAN Lagos Editorial Department, Messrs Goke Olatoye, Peter Dada, Wale Sadeeq and Mrs Ijeoma Popoola.
Papa left an indelible mark in the sands of time and in hearts of we his Children. He deserves nothing less than the way his burial was celebrated. Whatever tribute or remarks that he was given was not an exergeration . It was a true account of the PATRIARCH whom I call my father. I happ that we his children did not let him down. We shall forever carry on with his legacy of peace, generosity, openness and accommodating