Valentine Ozigbo buries father amidst accolades

Maduako Igbokwe, Onitsha

 

ONITSHA, Nigeria – Amuwo, Amesi in Aguata Local Government Area  of Anambra State came alive on Friday, April 22, 2022, when the late Chief Andrew Ozigbo (Omenyiri Amesi)  was laid to rest.

The late Chief Ozigbo is survived by his wife, Mrs Ezinne Christiana Ozigbo, three sons, three daughters, twenty-eight 28 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous relatives.

Among his children are Mr Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2021 Anambra governorship election; Mr Gerry Ozigbo, a Port Harcourt-based businessman; Mr Okechukwu Ozigbo, an Australia-based businessman and professional; Mrs Emilia Onwuka, a retired teacher; Mrs Fidelia Anyadufu; and Mrs Chinyere Ezeobiora, the wife of Ichie Sunday Ezeobiora, one of West Africa’s biggest agribusiness men.

Chief Andrew Ozigbo was an educationist who was a popular teacher and headmaster in the Old Aguata region (now Aguata, Orumba North and Orumba South LGAs). He was also a staunch Catholic who spent several decades serving as a catechist.

The funeral activities began with a holy mass held at St Vincent’s Catholic Church, Amesi, officiated by the Most Rev Peter Okpalaeke, the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese. He represented His Holiness, the Most Rev Dr Valerian Okeke, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese.

In his homily, Bishop Okpalaeke eulogised the late Pa Ozigbo, describing him as “a selfless father to many”.

Bishop Okpalaeke, who also hails from Amesi, fondly recalled how the deceased was one of the first people to get a formal education in the community and was one of the pioneers who brought education to Old Aguata.

The Bishop expressed gratitude to God for granting Pa Ozigbo a long, fruitful, and fulfilling life, urging his bereaved family to be consoled by Chief Ozigbo’s lasting legacy of love, kindness and impact.

Other distinguished clergy members present at the mass include Most Rev Dr Uzoukwu, the Catholic Bishop of Minna; Most Rev Dr Anelm Umorem, the Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja Archdiocese, and many others.

The society event continued with an elaborate reception held at the Christ the Redeemer College, Amesi school field, where a host of dignitaries sympathised with the Ozigbo family.

At the event, Mr Valentine Ozigbo spoke fondly of his father, describing him as a “mentor, leader, and hero.”

“If I am to summarise, I’ll describe my father as a man of peace and a disciplinarian who taught many over several decades. He was a dear father, a loving husband to our mother, and someone who has inspired us to greatness. He taught us humility, selflessness and how to live in peace and unity with one another,” Ozigbo, the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, said.

“Our father lived a good life. He was known for his willingness to lend a helping hand. He was dedicated to the Lord’s work and demonstrated his love for God by serving as a catechist for several decades.

“Truly, we have lost a hero, but we are consoled by the longevity of his life and the assurance that he is resting in the bosom of the Lord Almighty,” the respected business leader added.

The ceremony attracted a host of political leaders, captains of industries and business executives, including, His Excellency Peter Obi, a former Anambra State Governor and the Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 general election, who was accompanied by his wife, Margaret Obi; Chief Okey Ezeibe, a business tycoon and the leader of the PDP in Orumba; Hon Chukwuka Onyema, the lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives; Hon Obinna Chidoka, the legislator representing Idemili North/Idemili South at the Federal House of Representatives; Dame Azuka Enemo, the PDP deputy governorship candidate in the 2021 Anambra guber election; Hon Gabriel Onyenweife, a former federal lawmaker; His Royal Majesty Igwe Peter Anugwu of Mbaukwu; Senator Victor Umeh, a former federal lawmaker; Chief Austine Oguejiofor (Onwa Enugwu-ukwu n’ Umunri), the CEO of Rotech Energies.

Others are Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, the outgoing PDP Chairman in Anambra State; Mr Obinna Ufudo, a former President/Group CEO of Transcorp; Mr Nonso Okpala, the GMD/CEO of VFD Group; Mr Robert Umeozulu, an international food industry magnate; Mr Jude Ochili (Ikemba Ojoto), a Fidelity Bank topshot; Barr Emeka Okafor; Tobe Okigbo, a top executive at MTN; Rt Hon Eucharia Azodo, a former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and former member of the Federal House of Representatives; Hon Tim Egboka, a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Hon Barr Val Ayika, a former member of both the Anambra State House of Assembly and the Federal House of Representatives; Chief Tony Offiah, a top PDP leader; Fidelis Anosike, the Founder of Folio Groups; Chief Andy Azike, an insurance industry tycoon; Dr Ifedi Okwenna, a former Anambra State Commissioner; leaders and members of the 2021 Anambra Governorship Campaign Organisation and PDP members from within and outside Anambra State.