By Correspondent in Ibaji.
Former General Manager,Graphic Newspaper, Lokoja, Mr Fidel Egwuche(68), has been committed to mother earth with. Rev. Father Rowland Nwakpuda of Abuja Catholic Diocese calling on christians to rededicate their service to God by living a good legacy that would attract heavenly salvation and societal benefits.
The cleric made the call on Wednesday during the burial Mass in honour of late Hon. Fidel Egwuche at SS. Gabriel, Michael and Raphael Catholic church, Gadumo Lokoja, Kogi state.
Nwakpuda noted that late the Egwuche had completed his earthly sojourn but would be remembered by his worthy legacy toward the work of God and lives he impacted in the society.
He also enjoined Christian faithful to be spiritually guided toward putting their paths straight, adding that every mortal would surely give their accounts before God on the day of judgement
In his remarks, the Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Anselm Umoren MSP, who led the Bishop of Lokoja Catholic Diocese and 52 other Reverend Fathers to the funeral Mass acknowledged that late Fidel Egwuche lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.
The Bishop and the 52 Rev. Fathers are in Lokoja, Kogi state capital, in solidarity with their colleague, Rev. Stephen Attah Egwuche who lost his biological father stressed the need for every living soul to always have the fear of God in their daily activities “to straighten their kingdom paths”.
Receiving the remains of late Fidel Egwuche at Onyedega, the headquarters of Ibaji local government, the Ejeh and Chairman, Ibaji area traditional council of chiefs, Chief John Egwuemi, described late Egwuche as an ICON who always “bulldoze his way to bring smile to the faces of citizenry.”
Chief Egwuemi appreciated the legacy of late Fidel Egwuche, especially his contributions toward the socio-economic development of Ibaji and Kogi state at large.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Hon. Williams Ikojo, pointed out that the legacy left behind by late Egwuche, especially as the first Sole Administrator of Ibaji local government is unquantifiable “as we always consult him for administrative guidelines.”
The Chairman, who commended the central planning committee, headed by chief (Dr) Jonathan Okpanachi
for their tireless efforts towards the successful burial programme donated the sum of N150,000 un behalf of the local government to the deceased family.
Our Correspondent recalls that late Fidel was a NAN correspondent, News Editor and later Deputy Editor Sunday Voice Newspapers in Benue state. Editor and GM Graphic Newspaper after the creation of Kogi state in 1991.
Egwuche was the first Sole Administrator of Ibaji local council in 1996, Ex-Official member, Kogi state land allocation committee, Chairman state Action Committee on Aids, Ad-hoc committee member of the state chieftaincy review committee.
He was appointed permanent secretary in 1998 and later appointed special adviser to the governor on economic matters after his retirement from service.
Other appointments were: Special adviser on information, Special adviser on Bilateral and Multilateral relations, and Special adviser on inter party relations respectively.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
