BY NATIONAL PANEL REPORTERS
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has commiserated with the family of the late Chief Uchaji Nwofoke Nwebonyi on the passing of the glory of their beloved matriarch, late Mrs Maria Nwibo Uchaji on January 28, 2024.
Nwufuru consoled the bereaved family members during the burial ceremony of their late mother at Isophumini, Mbeke Ishieke, Ebonyi local government area on Friday, April 26, 2024.
The governor who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Mrs Patricia Onyemechi Obila extended the condolences of the State Government to the Uchaji family through the Commissioner in Ebonyi State Civil Service Commission and second son of the deceased woman, Chief Chris Uchaji admonishing them to hold on to the remarkable legacies of their beloved mother.
Also speaking, the Senate Deputy Chief Whip and Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi commiserated with members of the Uchaji family and described their late mother as a faithful woman with excellent virtues.
Senator Nwebonyi conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the deceased's last son who is currently his Legislative Assistant, Hon Chamberlain Uchaji and as prayed God grant the soul of the departed matriarch, a peaceful eternal rest.
Nwebonyi who was physically present both at the Christian wake and the interment obsequies held on April 25 and 26 respectively at her husband’s country- home, Isophumini, Mbeke Ishieke; urged the bereaved family to take solace in the impeccable legacies she left behind and the fulfilled life of the great Amazon who died at the ripe age of 91.
Late Chief Mrs Maria Uchaji.
The funeral mass was officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu.
In a homily delivered by the Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. Livinus Nweke, he charged Christians to strive to live godly lives in recognition of the fleeting nature of life itself adding that the late Mrs Maria Uchaji was intentional about life.
In a vote of thanks, the second son of the late matriarch and Commissioner one in Ebonyi State Civil Service Commission, Chief Chris Nwenyim Uchaji appreciated the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and his entire Exco members, Chairmen and members of Boards and Commissions for their all-round support during their mourning period.
He thanked the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi for his love, care and costly support to the family from time immemorial.
He further extended his appreciation to all those who stood with the family in one way or the other during this difficult period and prayed to God to bless them abundantly.
The event drew mammoth crowd from far and near including the Governor of Ebonyi state, the Senate Deputy Chief Whip and other National Assembly members, State Assembly members, the State Executive Council members and Principal Officers of Government, the members of the Bar and Bench, Council Chairmen, Coordinators of Development Centres, the Business class and other notable personalities.
It could be recalled that in a separate interview, Hon Chamberlain Uchaji - the last born of the deceased matriarch, Mr Ambrose Ofoke - the son-in-law, former Secretary to Ebonyi State Government - Chief Kenneth Ugbala, a Lecturer at Ebonyi College of Education Ikwo, Dr Raymond Nwebonyi Oge, among others described late Chief Mrs Maria Nwibo Uchaji as a virtuous woman whose footprints during her lifetime would remain indelible.
