Remains of Chief Sunny Odugwu laid to rest

The remains of the Ide of Ahaba and business mogul, Chief Sunny Odogwu, 91, who died in a London Hospital November 5, 2018, has been laid to rest in Asaba, his home town.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Odogwu, the first black man to be wedded by the Pope at the Vatican, was a brother to Late Mariam Babangida, wife of former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida.
In a sermon during a requiem mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, West-end, Asaba, Most Rev. Michael Elue, the Catholic Bishop of Isele-Uku Diocese, said Odugwu led a good life that touched humanity positively.
Elue said people should live right and impact others positively in order to attract the mercies of God even at death and make haven.
He said though the loss of a loved one was painful, death was sacrosanct and must come at the will of the creator, God.
He said: “So, we have the duty to live right because we can only be assured of eternal rest with God based on how we lived our lives.
“There are two realities: one is to be born and the other is to die. We shall be remembered for the good or bad that we did while we lived.”
Also, Arch Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma of Enugu Diocese, Anglican Communion, tasked politicians to emulate the life of late Odogwu.
Chukwuma said that the country was in a sorry state at present because politicians had all become selfish and desirous to satisfy themselves rather than render service to all.
He described late Odogwu as a “great father, friend, uncle, a successful business icon of international standard and a philanthropists who had directly impacted humanity.
He said: “Late Odogwu was a jolly hard working man, a philanthropists and that is what Nigerians need.
“Politicians must work hard; many of our politicians are lazy and are seeking for their own selves.
“Nigeria is in trouble and we need more people like Sonny Odogwu who did not think of himself but about people, particularly the less privilege ones.”
On his part, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ede, Founder, Catholic Prayer Ministry of the Holy Spirit, Elele, Rivers, said that the deceased directly impacted his life, the church, Nigeria, Africa and the world.
Ede said: “He would be remembered for his philanthropy and all the 16,000 staff of Madona University and millions of persons impacted will continue to pray for him.”
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, said Odogwu’s demise was ‘regrettable’ but added that he had left a legacy for everyone to uphold.
Okowa represented by his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, said the Delta Government was deeply touched by Odugwu’s death and shared in the pains experienced by his family and associates.
The governor prayed God to give the family fortitude to bear the irreparable lose.
Many dignitaries graced the occasion including Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo, former Delta Governors, Chief James Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and former Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo of Enugu State and and former Governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom.
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party Vice Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi and former Governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom were in attendance, among others.