Politics
GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State has expressed profound appreciation to the people of the state, friends, family and well-wishers for the role they played towards the successful burial of Christiana Obiano, his mother.
Obiano gave the appreciation at the end of thanksgiving mass on Sunday, July 23, in honour of the late matriarch of the family at St. Joseph Memorial School field Aguleri.
Speaking on behalf of his siblings, the governor said that they were overwhelmed by the support which came unsolicited and free to ensure a hitch-free event over a period of four days.
He said: “I have no doubt that my mother is in heaven. She was an ardent and dedicated Catholic and member of pious societies like St. Anthony and St. Theresa. She was also a very wealthy woman who did not only take good care of us, especially my good self and she took care of others too and many have also come to honour her and we are grateful.”
Obiano noted the significance of the homily by Jonas Benson Okoye, a bishop, who touched on key issues including the need for repentance and eulogised the blessed Iwene Tansi, highlighting the special privilege Aguleri people enjoy as relations of a holy man. He revealed that Tansi baptised his late mother, stressing that many would be converted to Christianity on account of the mothers’ exemplary life.
Earlier in his homily, Jonas Benson Okoye, a reverend and the auxiliary bishop of Awka, told the congregation that it was evident that the late Christiana Obiano was a good Christian and Catholic judging from testimonials of many who encountered her whilst alive. He explained the four things Catholics do at mass which include: adoration, thanksgiving, forgiveness of sins and seeking the face of God. All the bishop noted coalesce in the sanctity of the mass celebrated by Catholics.
Okoye charged the Aguleri community to emulate the foots-steps of their son, Tansi and “the exemplary conduct of good Christians like the woman we all came to honour in thanksgiving with the Obianos and pray for the repose of her soul.” He also recommended the virtue in small beginnings as displayed in the parable of the mustard seed to modern and aspiring leaders who should learn to be patient and follow the dictates of God and a period of nurturing.
Also recounting his experiences with the late, Denis Isizo, a reverend and the auxiliary bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, stated that in spite of the fact that the late Mrs. Obiano was wealthy in her own right and the mother of a governor, she lived a simple life devoid of any special privileges until her death.
“I visited in the hospitals at Awka and later at Nnewi and she was catered for in the same ward where many others stayed. Most patients didn’t know she was governor’s mother. She was that simple and always prayerful. It is also note-worthy that even though her husband died early she made a success of herself in business and trained her children. I recommend her example to widows who should get meaningfully engaged to sustain themselves and family.” Isizo recalled.
The well attended thanksgiving mass attracted many personalities from within and outside the state including, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Eric Igwe, deputy governor of Ebonyi State; SSG to Ebonyi State Government, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Nkem Okeke and wife Oby; Dame Virgy Etiaba, former Governor of Anambra State; Chukwuma Soludo, a former Governor of Central Bank; APGA National Working Committee members including Ozo Victor Oye, national chairman; Labaran Maku, national secretary; Victor Umeh, a former National Chairman of APGA; Ben Akabueze, director general, National Budget and Planning Office, and Simon Okeke, a former member, Police Service Commission, and many other dignitaries.
— Jul 25, 2017 @ 15:15 GMT
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