It was a carnival of sort as the family of the late Chief Hezekiah Obele (popularly known as Anaegbuachara, ozo ana eto 1 of Ezinifite)and his wife, Mrs Susanna Obele of Umu-Umennuihe kindred of Okwochi Ward, Aku Village, Ezinifite, Aguata Council Area of Anambra State, Nigeria held the memorial service of their late parents, dedication of the palatial mansion and the commissioning of of 5 kilometres of asphalted and road built by Chief Sir Ambassador Dr. Anthony Ikenna Obele at Ezinifite Aguata.
The triple event commenced with the memorial service at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ezinifite, presided by the Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor with a host of priests of both the Anglican and Catholic Churches in attendance.
Preaching the sermon, Bishop Ezeofor stated that the remembrance of a good person is a blessing while that of a bad person is a curse, adding that Jesus Christ is concerned about both the dead and the living because the dead reminds the living that one day, they too will die.
The prelate further explained that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, hence those who believe in Christ, even if they died, would live again, pointing out that those who died spiritually due to sin, will not resurrect with Christ, but physical death is just a transition to eternal life, charging everyone to live life in such a way that when they die, people will be crying because of their good deeds.
In a brief remark, the Vicar of St. Andrew’s Church, Ezinifite, Ven. Ikechukwu Okonisah welcomed the congregation warmly and appealed to the Bishop to approve the building of a Church Hall by the Obele family.
Responding, two sons of the Late Chief & Mrs Hezekiah Obele, Pst. Eric Obele (Onwa), and Chief Dr. Ikenna Obele (Okwunze Aguata, Agunwa na South, Akuzulumba) appreciated the Bishop, the priests, and the congregation for coming to worship with them in honour of their late parents, whom they said lived exemplary lives that they are still remembered till today.
While paying tribute to the Bishop for approving that the Obele family builds a Church Hall in St. Andrew’s, Chief Ikenna Obele also pleaded that the Hall bears the names of their late parents as a lasting memorial for them.
The Bishop in company of other clergy, the choir and family members proceeded to Obele’s family compound where prayers were offered at the graveside of their late parents, before proceeding to Chief Ikenna Obele’s new mansion for the house dedication.
The event climaxed with the official commissioning of the 5 kilometres of asphalted road by the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR, built by Chief Ikenna Obele for public use in Ezinifite.
Commissioning the road, Mr. Governor, noted that the road project was in furtherance of public private community partnership, PPCP exemplified by Chief Ikenna Obele, and his family for public purposes, praying that the road will promote economic and social activities in the area, Aguata Council Area and Anambra State at large.
The event was graced by the traditional ruler of Ezinifite, Igwe Chukwuma Bob Orji, and his Cabinet Chiefs; many traditional rulers; the President General of Ezinifite, Chief Nwora Ekwuilo, captains of industries, friends and associates from far and wide, among others.
