I’ll Consolidate my father’s legacy, says Ikwuano Mayor, Nwaka, As he holds service of songs
… Remain straightforward, do your best…Mpamugo Ojigbo urges Nwaka
Mayor Osinachi Nwaka, the Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State has vowed to stop at nothing in emulating and following the footprints of his late father, Senior Elder Mark Ogbonnaya Nwaka.
Ossy Nwaka revealed this to famousreporters.con, during the Service of Songs held in the honour of his late father, whose departure to the underworld, took place on Monday’s evening, September 18, 2023, at age 89, consequent upon a brief illness.
Describing the octogenarian as a selfless, sacrificial lover of humanity, Mayor Nwaka insisted that he would consolidate his late father’s legacy, in a bid to ensure that elder Nwaka ‘s legacy is upheld.
Emotional laden Nwaka who wailed that a part of him had left, regretting that among the outstanding attributes of his father he would miss immensely were his honesty and integrity which he said was ‘second to none’.
Hear him: “I’m really heartbroken because a part of me has left me.
So the process of leading him to mother earth which starts together with a service of songs whereas the burial ceremony will take place on Friday, December 22.
“I missed his honesty, his sacrificial lifestyle integrity, and outspokenness. These are his legacies and I’ve stepped in to the shoe to continue.
“My father did not molest people or sit where the less privileged were being mistreated. He gave his all to the community and his children so I stepped into that shoe to continue from where he stopped.”
On how he intends to integrate his entire family members in his life, the soft spoken successful Mayor said:
“Internal capacity comes from God and I depend on God’s grace to continue from where he stopped.
Addressing the congregation, heartbroken Nwaka described his deceased father as his role model, a confidant and “a father indeed.
He recounted the hurdles life posed to the deceased during his years of existence on the earth, as he urged the congregation and sympathisers to endeavour to stand firmly in their belief in God, stressing that life is not ‘a bed of roses’
Hear him:
“Opportunities like this are always a time for us to reflect on our lives. I saw him pass through the ups and downs of life. I saw this man make money over and over again and I also saw him lose money over and over again. I watched him lose his wife, his first son and second daughter yet he remained a Christian.
“The message is that whatsoever you pass through in life, that is not the end of life.”
Commiserating with the bereaved Mayor, High Chief Joseph Mpamugo Ojigbo, a former President of Ikwuano Development Association United States and Canada.
The certified US based Engineer explained that he had, asides other programmes, come to congratulate the new Mayor of on his emergence as the Council’s Boss
Speaking, he said: “I had intended to come home to spend my Christmas with my family and it has been on my mind to come and congratulate you ever since he was sworn in. So, on coming to congratulate him, I learnt about his father’s death so now the congratulations turned up to be condolence.
He described the deceased as a religious man, truthful and loving, adding that “and like he said, part of him has left him, But, the good part is that he witnessed his father, he knew what his father wanted and and is ready and willing to carry the barton to the next level in relation to the extended family.
He, therefore, urged Ossy Nwaka to remain unwavering in his display of uprightness and transparency, saying:
“Remain straightforward, do the right thing, do the best he can and let God Almighty take the glory.
However, he described the state of bereavement as a moment everyone must encounter, pointing out that “We all have at one point gone through this stage of life and so it’s just something we had to go through at some point so when it gets to you, you have to take it easy because one day it will be our turn; one by one, we’ll all go through the process.”
Speaking on behalf of the family, Dcn. Kennedy Nwaka one of the sons of the deceased, in his elegiac mood, recalled that though his late father was initially an unbeliever, he was peaceful and magnanimous.
“When I was growing up, I was opportuned to see his youthful days.”
He recalled that though an unbeliever, “my late dad, Senior Elder Mark Nwaka was peaceful, and with a heart of gold. He was determined to give his children quality education despite being an unbeliever.”
Continuing, he said: “I didn’t know my father would survive the trauma of losing my elder brother and I believe that was the incident that drew him close to God.
“He was a legend, a hero and a man that everyone must talk about. He left a good legacy that his children must adhere to and run with”.
Describing death as an inevitable phenomenon, Senior Nwaka urged the congregation and all other sympathisers to “emulate my father’s footprints because we will be remembered by what we have done”.
In his homily, Pastor Ifeanyi who described the occasion as a moment of sober reflection, advised the congregation to always remember that death is inevitable.
Drawing his anchor scripture from Hebs. 9:27; Probs. 6:16-19, he warned against pride and all attributes that would deprive them of the kingdom of God, stressing that such would have their place in hell “if you fail to repent.
“Today, it’s about Papa and as soon as he gave up the ghost, his judgment began.
“This is a time of reflection, now your head and ask for God’s mercy upon you for all your secret sins.
Furthermore, he described the love of money as the god of the earth and advised the people to serve God with their resources Matt. 6:24.
“And as you serve God with your resources and wealth, my prayer for you is that you’ll die in good old age”, he conclusion.
The highlight of the event was a general corporate anointing prayer session for the bereaved family, by Pastor Ifeanyi Nwaka, the general Overseer of Loyal Soldiers of Christ Church.
