Fifty five Bishops from the Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches, as well as over 200 priests on Thursday graced the burial ceremony of Governor Willie Obiano’s mother, Mrs. Christiana Obiano.

At the occasion, Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), who spoke on behalf of the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, said the passage of Mrs. Obiano should serve as a reminder to everyone that death was a necessary end.

He observed that the eulogies and testimonies for Mrs. Obiano, who died at the age of 90 years, showed that she was a woman of uncommon courage and prayed her family to continue to uphold her virtues even in death.

In his words: “We give glory to God for a life well spent and are thankful that she lived a good life dedicated to God and to her community.

“Her great legacy, of course, is Your Excellency and we thank God that she lived to see you serve your people. Without doubt, she will be greatly missed,” the Acting President said in a letter addressed to Governor Obiano.”

In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Hilary Okeke harped on Mrs. Obiano’s strong belief in Christ saying that she would live forever.

“Remember that we must all die one day. Death is for everybody - the rich, the poor, the young and only God knows where and when. God had called Mrs. Christiana Obiano at the age of 90 years and tomorrow may be the turn of any of us.

“We are grateful for the life she lived and the efforts she made to raise her children after the death of her husband in 1978 such that today, one of her children is the Governor of Anambra State.

“She was indeed the mother for the poor and the needy. Her devout Christian life and her charity will surely qualify her for the heavenly life”, Bishop Okeke stated.

The cleric also told the congregation that death was not the end of everything, but what he called ‘change of address’, adding that that address is heaven.

Addressing the people, Governor Obiano expressed joy at the excellent ecumenism that played out at the burial ceremony whereby the clergy from all the Christian denominations participated in the burial ceremony.

He gave assurance that he would continue to treat all denominations in the state equally.

Also in attendance were the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Jude Okolo and the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev Nicholas Okoh.

The ceremony, which took place at the massive grounds of Father Joseph Memorial Secondary School, Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area, also attracted the presence of notable Nigerians, including the Inspector General of Police, who was represented by DIG Val Ntomchukwu; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; Chief of Army Staff represented by Major General Ogunadare; Deputy Governor of Imo State, Chief Eze Madumere and the Controller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (rtd).

Other dignitaries present included former Anambra State Governors Peter Obi, Mrs Virgy Etiaba and Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Senator Ben Bruce; Senator Andy Uba; Ohaneze President, Chief Nnia Nwodo; former Central Bank Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo; Senator Ndii Obi; National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Victor Oye; National Chairman of United Progressive Party, Chief Chekwas Okorie; former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh and wives of Abia, Enugu and Imo States governors.

Update news