•Details Of The Classy Burial In UBIMA Town
The second week of September 2020 witnessed the home going of the late Sir, Charles Amaechi, the elder brother of Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rt. Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. The elder Amaechi passed on to eternal glory months back. From 9th of September, 2020, the burial rites commenced with the internment that took place at the country home of the deceased in his Umuordu community country home town in Ubima Ikwerre Local Government of Rivers State.
The array of personalities who graced the occasion was an evidence of the political weight of the brother of the deceased, who pulled the crowd to his sleepy community.
The political crises that divided All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State was put in abeyance as former governor of Rivers State, Barrister Celestine Omehia, showed up at the burial. He is a family member of Rotimi Amaechi. Other politicians who were present at the burial proper included Yobe State Governor Buni, and Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong: Minister of State for Petroleum His Excellency Timipre Sylva and Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki. Those who benefited politically from the chief mourner, Amaechi showed solidarity at the funeral. They included Prof Stephen Okodudu, Ag. VC, UNIPORT, Professor Henry Ugboma, Chief Medical Director, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Hon. Asita Honourable Asita, Chairman NIMASA Board. Hon. Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Former Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).Hon. Ephraim Nwuzi Member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Hon. Chisom Dike, Lawmaker representing Eleme/Oyigbo/Tai Federal Constituency of Rivers State at the Federal House of Representatives. Nigerian Ambassador in Netherlands, H. E. Ambassador Oji Ngofa sent a Representative. Also on the list are: as he was still at Netherlands on official duties. H. E. Ambassador (Mrs.) Dame Maureen Tamuno PhD, Dr. Dawari George. Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, Hon. Chidi Frank Wihioka who were all former members of Federal House of Representatives.
Other loyalists of the Minister of Transportation who were present are: Engr. Fidet Okhiria Chairman/CEO Nigerian Railway Cooperation, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, DG/CEO of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Chief Akin Ricketts, Chairman of the NPA Board, Mohammed Bello-Koko, Executive Director – Finance and Administration, NPA, Hon. Onari Brown, Executive Director Marine Operations of NPA, Hon. Aso Wene, Commissioner at RMAFC, Alhaji Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr. Sokonte Davies, former Executive Director, Marine Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Ex-CTC Chairman, APC, Rivers.
Others who honoured the minister at his brother’s burial proper at Ubima are: Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, Hon. David Okumgba, South- South Zonal Secretary of APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya Ibiamu erstwhile Rivers State APC Chairman;
Hon. Ojukaye Flag Amachree, erstwhile State Chairman of APC, Hon. Azubike Wanjoku, Hon. Chief Emeka Beke, erstwhile Secretary, APC, Rivers State, High Chief/Barr. Ezemonye Ezekiel Amadi Obanu-Ezems, Apostle Eugene Ogu, General Overseer of Abundant Life Evangelical Mission Worldwide, Barr. Achi Godwin William-Wobodo, Chief Dr Mike Nwielaghi, Hon. Chibuike Ikenga Leader APC Ikwerre LGA Hon. Thank God Ohaekwe, Chairman Ikwerre LGA Empowerment and Employment Committee, Hon. Kerian Wobodo Former Chairman Ikwerre LGA Hon. Welendu Amadi, Former Chairman Ikwerre LGA, Hon. Chizi Nyeomasila, Barr. Reginald Okwuoma, APC leader, Etche Local Government Area, Fortune Oguru, Hon. Ike Chinwo, NDDC IMC member, Mrs. Caroline Nagbo and Mr. John O. Enebeli, State and LGA Leadership Of NYLC. Representatives of PDP leadership in Ikwerre Local Government Area
Representatives of APC Leadership from Emohua Local Government Area
Representatives of Hon/Dr Oyirindah Chris Amadi who came with loads of food items
Pastors / Men and Women of God From different denominations were among dignitaries who attended the event.
THOSE WHO TAKE CHARGE OF EVENTS
Honourable Asita, Chairman NIMASA Board and his team took over the event arrangement, organising and setting up charis and tables at venues for burial. The erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the APC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, extolled the Minister and his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi for honouring ‘Dede’ Charles Amaechi as he was fondly called, even in death. The funeral witnessed people from all walks of life which was a proof that Ohna Dede Amaechi led a good life worthy of emulation and made a meaningful impact on not just his family and community alone, but all who came in contact with him and the society in general.” he said.
WHAT MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION SAID ABOUT HIS LATE ELDER BROTHER
At the church service, the Chief Mourner, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, said that the death of the deceased had created a big vacuum and has placed more responsibility on him. ”He has left us with a huge responsibility that I never imagined would be so soon to confront and a challenge that I lack the capacity to discharge. Chikamkpa, Lemchi, Obinna, Judith and I will find it difficult to come to terms with his death. We can only pray that Dede rests in the bosom of the Lord.” Amaechi said.
Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, a good friend of Amaechi right from when both were Speakers of Houses of Assembly in Rivers and Plateau states respectively and who represented both the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the Northern Governors Forum said, the late Charles Amaechi lived a good life worthy of emulation. In his words, “the late, Sir, Charles Amaechi has done a good work because it is not easy to be a Knight. Ours is to emulate him and his contributions to the church of Christ. I am here to represent the Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum, Gov. Kayode Fayemi and also the Northern Governors Forum, which I am the Chairman, to extend our condolences to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for this great loss”. The Plateau state governor donated a 32-seater bus on behalf of the Plateau state government to the church as a mark of remembrance for the good deeds of the deceased.
Other speakers included the Minister for State, Transportation, Senator. Gbemisola Saraki, who said the deceased lived a worthy and left legacies for which he would be fondly remembered, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Isaac Ogbobula, Esq, described the deceased as a perfect gentleman and a devout Christian of the Roman Catholic faith and a Knight of St. Mulumba.
Those who also came to the burial ceremony were: Chief Victor Giadom, former Acting National Chairman of APC, Sen. Akpan Udoedehe, Secretary National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the APC. Dr. Alex Otti, former Abia State Governorship Candidate of APGA. Prof Stephen Okodudu, Ag. VC, UNIPORT. The deceased died at the age of 64 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital during a protracted illness.
–EMEKA AMAEFULA
READ ALSO: REVEALED: MY RELATIONSHIP WITH KOREDE BELLO – IYABO OJO’S DAUGHTER, PRISCILLA OJO
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz