By Emeka Odogwu
The remains of former ABS Managing Director, Sir Oselloka Offoh (Rtd.), have been laid to rest at his hometown, Ezumeri- Oraifite, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Late Sir Oselloka, who retired as Managing Director of ABS in 2013 after thirty-five years of meritorious service, was, until his death, the Director of Communications, Anglican Diocese on the Niger, he was in charge of Stakeholder’s Engagement Team at Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation,among other notable positions he held.
The funeral ceremony, held in his honour at St. Judes Anglican Church, Oraifite, was presided over by the Bishop on the Niger, Right Reverend Owen Nwokolo, and attended by the Bishops of the Dioceses of Nnewi and Oji,Rt Reverends Ndubuisi Obi and Iyke Egbuonu respectively, clergymen, Knights of St. Christopher, management and staff of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, former Managing Director of ABS ,Sir Chido Obidiegwu and retired Director of News and Current Affairs,ABS,Chief Gab Okpalaeze,the Anambra State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists led by its Chairman, Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PHD, veteran broadcasters, Staff of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, Government functionaries, captains of industry, as well as representatives of various organisations and institutions.
In his sermon, Bishop Nwokolo described the late Sir Oselloka as a man of good works whose life and contributions would be difficult to replace.
He urged the congregation to live lives of integrity in their various fields of endeavour, citing the Biblical account of Nathanael in John Chapter One, whom Jesus described as a man without deceit.
Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ABS, Chris Molokwu, the Director of News and Current Affairs, ABS, Chinyelu Obiejesi, said the late Sir Oselloka was a professional to the core and a kind-hearted individual who contributed immensely to the development of the station and the media community.
She stated that Sir Offoh also played a significant role in mentoring and raising professionals who went on to excel within ABS and beyond, while extending condolences to the family.
For his children, pharmacist Sandra and Sydney Offoh, who spoke to ABS in separate interviews, described their father as a man of the people whose death has left a deep void in the family.
They said that although he left at a time when they needed him most, they were consoled by the indelible impact he made during his lifetime, evident in the calibre of people who came to mourn with them.
In an interview with the ABS, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu (PhD), described the late Sir Offoh as a very good friend in the field of journalism.
According to him, when he came into journalism, the late Sir Offoh took an interest in him and brought him on board the programme, “Face the Press,” on ABS, which gave him popularity beyond imagination.
He regretted that the late media mogul died quite early but encouraged the family not to mourn like those without hope, as their late father and husband left a good legacy behind.
Also speaking, a veteran broadcaster and former Acting Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, Chief Gab Okpaleze, said Sir Offoh loved the media community and professionalism.
He said Sir Offoh was a man of the people, a devout Christian and a committed member of the Anglican Communion, evident in his service to the church.
Chief Okpaleze encouraged the family to take solace in the good life he lived and prayed that their father’s good deeds would yield results in their lives.
Others, including the President, Order of the Knights of St. Christopher, Sir Ikechukwu Ejelue; the Executive Director of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, Chidimma Okoye; and Lady Alameze of Special Squad Nigeria, took turns to pay tribute to the late media administrator, describing him as one of a kind.
Late Sir Oseoloka Offoh died at the age of sixty-three and is survived by his wife, five children, a daughter-in-law, and other relatives.
