By Aaron Ossai
His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Arch Bishop emeritus of the Abuja Catholic archdiocese has urged Nigerians to lives that would be impactful to humanity so they could be remembered when they are no more.
Speaking at the Service of Song for late former governor of Anambra state, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife on Friday night, Onaiyekan said people should live upright life and prepare for their last days on earth.
He enjoined the congregation to always remember that there is life after death and what one did with his life on earth determines what happens to him in life after now stressing that late Okwadike ran a good race when he was alive.
Speaking further, the cleric said that death is end of life and is an inevitable reality of life adding that death of an old person should be celebrated by those he or she left behind.
“Like Saint Paul in the bible, we should be able to say at the end, I have ran the race, I have kept the faith, all that is left for me is the crown of glory which the Lord the just judge will give me”, he added.
It would be recalled that prominent Nigerians from all walks of life thronged the National Christian Centre, Abuja, venue of service of songs for the late Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife (OKWADIKE Igboukwu).
The service of songs which started at 5pm at the expansive and prestigious Ecumenical centre marked the beginning of rites of passage for the Harvard trained Economist and a strong voice of the oppressed.
The late Ezeife who was a former governor of Anambra state and a former permanent secretary consistently advocated for equity, fairness and equality of all citizens and regions in the scheme of things in the country while he was alive.
At the service of songs put together by the Ezeife National Burial Committee led by former governor of Enugu state, Okwesilieze Nwodo and coordinated by the Salvation Army Church where the late icon worshipped, galaxy of Nigerians gathered to pay their last respect to the fearless Igbo leader.
All across Nigeria recorded a huge turnout out friends, well wishers, associates, mentees and the clergy.
From the Onaiyekans, to the Ibrus, Simon Okeke, former ministers and lawmakers and indeed people from different backgrounds showed their presence at the venue.
At the event, a brief history of Dr Ezeife was read by her first daughter. Two Bible readings were taken by his children. There was superlative display of timbrel by the Salvation Army choir, brass band display.
There were also display of musical prowess by other visiting choirs including the CAN choir. Speeches were also delivered by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Chairman, Ezeife National Burial Committee, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo who thanked Nigerians for honoring the late Ezeife and for the financial support and other logistics extended to the Committee.
