Thousands of people today gathered at Uhunwabo, Ohambele Ndoki in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State to bid the Late Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Solomon Nkem Ogunji farewell as his remains was laid to mother earth.
Aged 59, the late Ogunji who died in active service on May 23rd 2020 is survived by an aged mother, wife, five children and a host of other relations.
Speaking at the funeral service, organized by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who described the late Ogunji as fearless and courageous stated that he had no room to bear grudges against his fellow man.
According to the governor, the deceased started showing signs of courage and leadership at the age of six when he single handedly brought back his two younger siblings after the civil war.
Ikpeazu added that the late Ogunji was a trusted friend and ally who stood by him even in battle pointing out that the deseased was a friend who could not be bribed.
“What has happened today has shown me that life is transient and death is universal”, Ikpeazu said.
Governor Ikpeazu while noting that the deceased “virtually won all his life battles”, said that as a Commissioner for environment, the Late Ogunji attracted the erosion remediation work for Ohuhu, Umuahia North LGA as well as the 27 Billion Naira World Bank fund for the rehabilitation of Ngwa Road, Obohia and Ohanku roads in Aba where work is expected to commence soon.
He said that the Nwabo Ogunji family, entire Ndoki land and Abia state in general has lost a rare gem and enjoined the first son of the deceased to rise up to the challenges created by the demise of his father to sustain his legacies.
In a funeral oration in behalf of the family, first son of the deceased, Mr Marvelous Ogunji described their late father as a friend, an encourager, motivator, voice of the voiceless, and a defender of the defenceless adding that he will be sorely missed.
In their separate tributes, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, Senator representing Abia South Senatorial zone Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Member representing Ukwa East and West Federal constituency, Hon. Uzoma Abonta among others eulogized the sterling qualities of the deceased whom they described as courageous, honest, selfless and dependable, lamenting that his death has created a big vacuum not only in his family and immediate community but to Abia state as a whole.
Earlier in a sermon, the President Eastern Nigeria Union Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor (Dr) Bassey E. Udoh stated that death is inevitable as man has few days on earth.
He enjoined the bereaved family to make God their refuge, assuring them that God remains faithful when every other thing fails.
