By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM

The Abia Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr Sunny Onwuma, has been laid to rest in his hometown, Ihie Obeaku in Isiala Ihie Autonomous Community, Ugwunagbo Local Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onwuma died on March 3, at the age of 62.

At a funeral service held at Ihie-Obeaku Primary School, on Thursday, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia described the late Onwuma as ?a colleague, a brother, a friend, and a strong voice in the cabinet?.

Otti expressed deep sorrow over the commissioner?s untimely death at the age of 62. ?When this journey started, I feared a day like this.

?We fought for him to live, but we lost that fight. I believe God had a different purpose,? he said.

Otti noted that although Onwuma?s passing was a heavy blow to the administration and the people of Abia, he lived a life worthy of emulation.

?It?s not so much about how long one lives, but how well and we are all gathered here today because he lived his life well and left legacies,? he said.

Otti emphasised that the difficulty of accepting the loss of a loved one could be very overwhelming, but urged the family of the deceased to be strong and preserve the legacies of their patriarch.

He assured the Onwuma family of the state?s continued support, pledging that the government would not abandon them.

The governor noted that the Bible records that, ?Affliction shall not rise a second time,? and prayed for peace and protection over the state.

Otti expressed confidence that on the resurrection morning, ?we shall meet again, to part no more?.

In his speech, the State Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress, Mr Ogbonnaya Okoro, said that the deceased was committed to unionism in the state.

Okoro urged the family of the deceased to sustain the legacies of their father and thanked the governor for his interest in their fallen colleague.

In his remark, the First Vice President of Old Boys Association of Government College Umuahia, Mr Onyii Wamah, described the deceased as a member that served the association with dedication.

Wamah thanked the governor for supporting the family of the deceased and urged him to sustain it.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Aba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Dr Christian Ugwuzor, stressed the need for all to be upright as a day of judgement is coming, when Christ shall reward everyone according to his work.

Ugwuzor described the late Onwuma as a very good man, who contributed to the growth of the church and was ready to assist people in need.

He challenged everybody to live a life worthy of emulation, so that they would be remembered for good.

In a funeral oration, the First son of the deceased, Mr Gooddestiny Onwuma described his father as a gentleman, a man of integrity, unionist and a devoted Christian.

Onwuma thanked the state government and everyone for coming to identifying with them in their moment of grief. (NAN)