144 priests, 52 bishops and Osinbajo attend burial ceremony of Governor Obiano's mother
- Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state described his late mother as a very generous woman while she was alive
- Acting President Yemi Osinbajo urged the late Christiana Obiano's children to emulate their mother's excellence
The burial of 90-year-old Christiana Obiano, mother of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra witnessed the attendance of a total of 52 bishops, a representative of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The funeral ceremony, which took place at the St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Aguleri, Anambra state also had 144 priests in attendance, according to a report by Daily Trust.
The report said the bishops included 26 from the Catholic Church, 16 from the Anglican Communion and led by Primate Nicholas Okoh. The rest were from other churches across the country.
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Others who attended the funeral included the immediate past governor of the state, Peter Obi, minister of science and technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Andy Uba, former governor of Central Bank Nigeria, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.
Others at the event include: Prof Uche Azikiwe (wife of a former president of Nigeria), a former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Bianca Onoh-Ojukwu.
NAIJ.com learnt that the homily was delivered by the Catholic bishop of Nnewi diocese, Most Rev Hilary Okeke.
He reportedly urged the governor to be consoled by the fact that his mother lived a long life worthy of emulation.
The bishop decried the high rate of corruption among the citizens of the country. He pleaded with Christians to show good example in this regard and in any position they found themselves.
The report quoted him as saying: "God's reserved area is death. Remember you will die someday. Only God decides when it will be for everyone, and judgment will follow.
“If anyone believes in God, he will live forever.”
On his part, Osinbajo, who was represented by the minister of Interior, Abdulrahmam Dambazau, urged guests to learn from the demise of Mrs Obiano that death is an inevitable end.
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Osinbajo said the late Christiana Obiano was a fulfilled mother.
He urged her children to learn from their mother’s foot-steps and good deeds which everyone had described as excellent.
Speaking at the event, Governor Obiano said his mother was very generous while she was alive.
“I am grateful to her for making me what I am today. I will miss her for her wise counsel, prayers and her great sense of humour,” he said.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com reports that Governor Willie Obiano recently issued a warning to the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stay clear of Anambra state ahead of its November 18 gubernatorial election.
Watch this video as Senator Andy Uba picks Anambra governorship election form from the All Progressives Congress: