BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin-City
TRIBUTES flowed freely Friday in Awka during the burial of Mrs. Colette Ben-Obi, wife of the special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Inter Party Affairs, Senator Ben Ndii Obi, with the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and other members of the clergy present saying the consolation to the family was that the deceased lived a fulfilled life.
The burial ceremony was indeed a gathering of who –is- who in Nigeria as politicians, the clergy and business moguls were there in large numbers.
The roll call included former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi and his wife, Margaret, former senate presidents, Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani.
Also present were Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Azu Agboti, former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, former minister, Dr, Tom Ikimi, former INEC chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, former Nigerian Ambassador to the USA, Dr. George Obiozor andformer governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
There were also former national chairman of PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh, former minister of women affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, Nigerian Ambassador to Spain , Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, Senator Mike Ajaegbo, national coordinator of Transform Nigeria Movement, Chief Obi Ochije, member of House of Representatives, Chief Ben Nwankwo and former minister of external affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu.
Multi millionaire, Prince Arthur Eze, business mogul, Alhaji Ishiaku Ibrahim, Alhaji Idi Farouk, Traditional ruler of Awka, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Cletus Ilomuanya and Obi Chris Onyekwulije of Umunya were also in attendance.
Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, in his sermon observed that the death of a wife naturally creates uncertainty in the life of the man and assured Senator Obi that the best way to overcome the problem was to be close to God at all times.
He said: “Your marriage to Colette was a happy one while it lasted and the hope is that two of you will meet again to part no more. Your wife was a woman of great value and if she had a choice, she would not have wished to die so as to continue to stay with you. But she had no choice because death is a necessary end.”
The cleric regretted that the disturbing aspect of things in Nigeria was that the people had lost their value system, adding that many people have forgotten that there would be a time when the earthly things would become valueless.
In his tribute, President Goodluck Jonathan observed that by the passing of his wife, Senator Obi had lost an inspirational and a uniquely supportive partner and prayed God to grant him and his children the strength to cope with the pain of the loss.
Governor Peter Obi, who commended prominent Nigerians for coming to sympathize with Senator Obi, said though Colette Obi was no more, the fact that she lived her life in accordance with the Christian belief, inspired hope in those living.
Alhaji Atiku Abibakar in his tribute said that as a Moslem, he believes that it is God that gives life and it is He that takes it away at a time of His choosing, adding that all that is needed to be done is to thank God for the wonderful life she lived.
Others who sent condolence messages include the First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Ghanaian president, Jerry Rawlings, former chief of staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe and former chief justice of Nigeria, Justice Alpha Belgore (rtd). Governors of Lagos , Ogun, Abia, Edo , Ekiti, Ebonyi, Oyo, as well as ministers and members of the National Assembly also sent condolences.
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