Bishop Okafor Buried Amidst Drama As Priests, Relatives, Ngige, Others Barred From Entering Chapel

Photo Caption: Dr. Abubakar Koro Muhammad (left), Mike Onolememen, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and Prince Adedayo Adeyeye during a visit by the Governor.

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The pains of the relatives of the emeritus Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend (Dr) Simon Akwali Okafor was compounded at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, Anambra State, odogwuemekaodogwu.com reports.

They were pained that the Men of Order and Discipline (MOD) barred them from entering Crypt chapel of the cathedral where the remains of the late bishop was interred. Late Bishop Simon Okafor was buried at exactly 12: 26 pm at Crypt Chapel of  adoration located at the underground floor of St. Patrick’s cathedral.

Over 450 priests and some traditional rulers including journalists were not also allowed to enter the underground chapel as the fierce looking church security operatives push away mourners and sympathizers alike who insisted on entering the small chapel where the Catholic bishops and few Government official were only allowed in.

  odogwuemekaodogwu.com reports that a relative of the deceased who traveled all the way from US for the burial instead, chose to engage the bouncers in free for all fight which attracted the attention of other priests. A member of MOD (Name withheld by us) raised a machete when the fight became unbearable but was cautioned by a priest who warned him not to wield any dangerous weapon in the church next time.

The senator representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige was nearly bounced out but was latter allowed in.
One of the bouncers who merely identified himself as Chukwuma said they were acting under instruction, claiming that the crypt chapel is so small to accommodate many personalities who ought to be in the grave side.

He also stated that they were instructed not to allow all the family relatives in.

The burial was attended by over 50 catholic bishops including: Francis Cardinal Arinze,Most Rev. Emma Anene of Oyo diocese, Peter Okpalaeke of Ahiara diocese, Bishop Godfrey Onah of Nsukka diocese,  bishop Everestus Onaga of Enugu diocese,  Bishop Hillary okeke of Nnewi diocese, John Uya of Uyo diocese, Bishop Solomon Amatu of Okigwe diocese, Bishop Vincent Ezeonyia of Aba, the chief mourner, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of Awka diocese and his Auxiliary, Bishop Jonas-Benson Okoye, Bishop Micheal Fague of Ekiti diocese, Gregory Ochiagha of Orlu diocese, Anthony Gbuji, the emeritus bishop of Enugu diocese including the Anglican Bishop of Awka diocese, Most Rev;d  Alexander Ibezim and the Anambra state Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop  Ephraim Ndifo.
Other dignitaries include the Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, the Former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and his wife, Beatrice, Former Anambra Governor, Mr. Peter Obi and his wife, Margret Peter Obi, the Anambra Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Pricess Chinwe Nwaebili, Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Annie Okonkwo, many other Federal and State lawmakers.
Others include the traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu and his Ifitedunu counterpart, Igwe Emeka Ilouno, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, the First Woman Governor in Nigeria, Dame Virgy Etiaba among others.

Bishop Simon Akwali Okafor was born on the 16th day of November, 1934 at his home town, Ifitedunu in Dunukaofia Local Government Area of Anambra state. He was ordained a priest on 21st July 1963 and was appointed auxilary catholic bishop of Awka diocese on May 6th, 1992.
Late Bishop Okafor was ordained a catholic bishop of Awka on Septenmber 9, 1994 and he retired as a bishop on April 17, 2010. He died on August 29, 2014 after a protracted illness.
In his homily, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Rome, Francis Cardinal Arinze extolled the leadership qualities of Late bishop Okafor who he described as a faithful servant of God. He however expressed hope that bishop Simon Okafor will rise again on the last day, even as he prayed God to open the gate of heaven for the deceased bishop.

“Christ died and rose again and it will be the same for those who will die in Jesus because Jesus Christ is the resurrection. Today we are here gathered to bring the body of  our brother, Bishop Okafor to be buried in its human imperfection. Our prayer shall be for God to raise up the mortal body to the perfection and the company of the saints” he said.
The Anambra state Governor, Chief Obiano in his tribute said the late bishop was a father to him and his family and prayed for the repose of his gentle soul.