Roll Call at Alor as Senator Ngige buried Father Pa Pius Okonkwo Ngige

The passage of Pa Pius Okonkwo Ngige the father of the minister of labour and productivity Senator Chris Ngige, attracted who is who in Nigeria across political parties and religious divides.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mahammadu Buhari was represented by his secretary Pastor David Lawal.

Some other dignitaries that graced the occasion included Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Governor Okowa of Delta State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Ex-Governors of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Former Governor of Enugu State, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinibu, serving ministers, Senators and other distinguished Nigerians, including the clergy from various religious denominations.

In a Sermon during a requiem mass for the deceased, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese Most Reverend Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor called on Nigerian leaders to have the common good of the masses at heart in their leadership disposition.

According to Bishop Ezeokafor, they must not allow their selfish interests to becloud their reasonings.

A former member of the House of Representatives for Awka north/ Awka south federal constituency and a member of the All Peoples Congress, Chief Emeka Nwogbo in his condolence speech, asked the Ngige family to emulate their father who was an epitome of good life.

In another tribute to the deceased, the national Vice President of the Miners Association of Nigeria and a former speaker of the State House of Assembly Dr. Kanayo Enemuo consoled the Ngige family over the loss of their father late Pa Pius Okonkwo Ngige through whose efforts produced the former governor of Anambra State, and minister of labour and productivity, senator (Dr) Chris Ngige whom he described as his friend and an accomplished personality and his class mate  the senior advocate of Nigeria, Chief Emeka Ngige and Eddy Ngige whom the described as his friend and neigbour.

Dr. Enemuo described for the late Pa Ngige as a beacon of light for Anambra State and Nigeria.

Also in another tribute from St. John’s Secondary School Alor where Senator Ngige passed through, the national president of the association, Dr. Cyprian Afunugo commiserated with the Ngige family, describing the Ngige family as richly blessed having produced the likes of Chief Eddy Ngige, Senator Chris Ngige, Emeka Ngige (SAN), and two erudite daughters as lawyers.

In the same vein, the former commissioner for transport, Chief Chuma Mbonu described Pa Ngige as an accomplished and blessed man who lived a fulfilled life even at the age of one hundred and five years.

On his part, the former acting chairman of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo commiserated with the Ngige family over the loss of their father Pa Pius who excelled as a proud father who begat five distinguished children in high positions of authority.

Other tributes for Pa Ngige came from some personalities such as a former chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Godwin Ibekwe, the president general Nibo union Dr. Innocent Akuvue, an industrialist Chief Eze Mentus Mbonu, an Akwaeze indigene, Chief Ezeani Omeokachie, and some frontline politicians, Chief Sylva Ezeabasilim, Chief Joseph Okeke, and Chief Obi Onwuachu.

In a similar tribute, the Awka branch of the Nigerian Bar association led by its chairman, Barrister Emma Odum paid a condolence visit to the Ngige family in Alor and encouraged them to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.

By Micheal Ezenwata