By Jude Atupulazi
The Anglican Bishop of Ihiala Diocese, Prof Israel Okoye, has praised the efforts of the Maduka family of Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, for the love and care they gave to their late patriarch, Pa Somadina Christian Maduka, during the period of his illness.
The Bishop who gave the commendation during the funeral service of the deceased at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Abagana, June 6, assured the family of the blessings that came from such an act, even as he eulogized the life of Pa Maduka, whom he described as a good man and urged Christians to emulate his life and have faith in Christ.
The Bishop also used the occasion to exhort Christians to reject materialism and embrace Jesus, regretting that many people professed Christ without truly knowing Him.
Bishop Okoye reassured Christians that they had a place to go and encouraged them to hold on to hope, citing John 14:1-3 in the Bible.
He emphasized that Christ came to show the light and that without His teachings, the prevailing circumstances in the country could disillusion many.
‘We are going somewhere; there is hope. Christ came to show us the light. Hardship can disillusion us if not for the teachings of Christ,’ Bishop Okoye said.
He discouraged materialism, adding that some people had dark minds. ‘Do we know Jesus? If we know Jesus, it will reflect in our lives,’ he said, even as he further emphasized that Christ came so that mankind could have life in abundance. Bishop Okoye therefore encouraged Christians to focus on their faith and relationship on God rather than on material possessions.
The son of the deceased, Comrade Frank Maduka, expressed gratitude to the guests, saying, ‘We are sincerely grateful to all who have shown us great love in our time of grief.
‘Your prayers, visits, financial support, advice, words of encouragement, phone calls, letters, gifts, and show of love, assisted immensely in giving and bidding a befitting farewell to our dad,’ he said.
Comrade Frank Maduka, JP, a popular figure in Anambra, is the Assistant General Manager, Dozzy Group, Calabar; as well as former Anambra Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
The funeral service was attended by such dignitaries as the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, represented by Prof Stella Okunna and Dr Valentine Obienyem; former Secretary to the Anambra State Government (SSG), Chief Osita Ezenwa and wife; Chief Chinedu Offomata, and Chief Humphrey Nsofor, former lawmaker in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
