The Abia State Government has organised a special valedictory service in honour of the former Commissioner for Environment, Dr Solomon Ogunji,who died on the 23rd of May, after a brief illness.
The Event which took place at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House,Umuahia,had in attendance, the Governor of the State,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu,His Deputy,Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu,the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly,Rt Hon Chinedum Orji and other top Government functionaries.
In his Homily, the President Aba West Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Joseph Ukaegbu,charged attendees to make the best
use of their life on Earth,as no one knows the day he would join his maker.
Preaching on the Topic,”Never forget who You Are”, with Biblical reference from Psalm 144:1-5, Pastor Ukaegbu, maintained that it is very important for one to know who he is in Chirist,as you can only make positive impact in the society when you understand who you are.
Interacting with the Press,the Chairman of the Burial Planning Committee and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,Chief Gabriel Onyedilefu,said the state has been thrown into a period of mourning with the demise of Solomon Ogunji.
In his words,”I feel sad,Ogunji is no more.Ogunji was a different breed.He was a fighter, skillful and discreet in his job.He was a helper to the helpless.He made a mark while on earth”.
Chief Onyedilefu while describing Ogunji’s death as a colossal loss,prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss
Also,the 3rd Deputy Chairman of the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council,HRM Godfrey Onwuka, the Towe 1 of Umutowe Autonomous Community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, said the best the government can do for the late Solomon Ogunji,is to ensure those projects he attracted to the state be completed.
While urging the family to find solace in God,noted that the state has lost a rare gem,as Ogunji was a fighter of Justice at all levels.
The Traditional ruler of Ohambele Autonomous Community, the country home of the deceased,Eze Anthony Wabara,said the whole community has been thrown into mourning, as Chief Solomon Ogunji was their pillar of support and voice to the Ukwa extraction.
Eze Wabara, described the late Ogunji as an Icon and Iroko,whose numerous contributions brought what the Ukwa people are enjoying today.
The Monarch disclosed that the roads in the Ukwa area which were death traps before, have now been constructed by the government in honour of the late Commissioner.
The Royal Father, however,prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Until his death,Ogunji was a committed member of the Abia State Executive Council and Commissioner for Environment.His hardwork and doggedness,helped in putting Abia on the pedestrian of development.
