Tears In Ikwuano, As Chibueze Cokey’s Body (Onye Ball) Returns To Mother Earth (See Photos + Video)
It was a moment of agonies, tears, and wailing as the remains of late Chibueze Justus Cokey, aged 34, were laid to rest in his late father’s compound, at Umulu Ngwugwo Ibere, in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.
The young, International football Star who allegedly slumped and died on the football pitch, on October 19, 2022, was the immediate younger brother to the Deputy Chairman of Ikwuano local government Area of Abia State, Hon. Lordson Nwachukwu Cokey.
Rep. Sam Onuigbo, Member representing Ikwuano Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency, who was represented by his Liaison Officer, Evang. Abraham Osondu, described death as an inevitable journey “everyone must embark on someday”.
He bemoaned the untimely death of young Cokey, as he prayed for God to grant his family, football Club and the entire Ikwuano and Abia State, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
In his homily, Pastor C. Ifekwe of the Apostolic Church, Umulu Assembly, Ngwugwo, District, Ibere Area, who spoke from the Book of Amos 4:12, on the theme: ‘Prepare To Meet The God Of Heaven And Earthll”, reminded that “every other God is man-made that requires sacrifices.
“But, remember, there’s a God who would come someday and He shall Judge other gods and you shall not be an exception.
He warned against wickedness with impunity as could be seen among men against fellow human, adding, “but know that there’s a God in heaven whom we shall meet and we must prepare to meet Him. As a traveler, you must prepare adequately so you don’t end up being stranded.
“As you occupy, what evil are you perpetrating? Remember, in all you do, there’s a God you shall meet so you must be prepared because no one knows when he’ll be called to return to his maker.
He, therefore, enjoined the bereaved family to take solace in God’s words and prepare for the coming.
In his speech, emotional saddled Cokey Nwachukwu thanked all sympathisers for their support and standing by him and his family at their moments of grief.
I want to say thank you to everyone of you who came out today to be with my family in this period of our grief. You abandoned your schedules especially in this Political dispensation and I pray that God Almighty will bless and grant you all safe journey back to your various destinations.
In his remarks, Hon. Stephen Mpugo, the Executive Chairman of the Council thanked stakeholders of People’s Democratic Party, PDP and the people of Ikwuano and Abia State in general.
Hon. Mpamugo who regretted that Cokey who represented the hope and light of both his immediate Community and the Council, while describing his death as not only painful but also unanticipated.
“Our gathering today was not anticipated, it’s a sorrowful one but in everything, we give God the praise. This our son who is being buried today was a hope of the immediate Community, the entire Ikwuano, Abia State and Nigeria in general. I implore us all to take heart. It’s a painful thing to us all and not just the immediate family. We had expected to watch him on the television and pride in him but little did we know that the light would be put off at the middle of the day”, he wailed.
Also, the Senatorial Candidate of PDP, for Abia Central, Col. Austin Akobundu (Rtd.) advised the family of Cokey to take solace in God’s words,
“Our brother has laboured but it’s painful that he died untimely. It’s, therefore, our duty to console the family at their moment of sorrow.
Earlier, in his admonition, Pastor Ugorji of the Apostolic Church, described football as an exercise that should be performed amidst jokes, and devoid of inveterate hatred or anger, as he urged footballers to embrace love and peace in the course of the exercise.
He, therefore, advised other footballers to eschew envy and jealousy, against all odds.
“Football is game of joy and gladness and not war. Football stole my 15years old son last year. Please, footballers, I implore you to embrace your career
The leader of All Stars Football Club, Ikwuano described the death of Cokey as a huge loss to the club, saying, “he left a legacy which all of us must follow.”
Attendance at the funeral were the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Orji, represented by Hon. Williams Ukatu; High Chief Obi Aguocha, Labour Party Candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Ukatta, candidate for Ikwuano State Constituency, under the African Democratic Congress, ADC; Dr. Daniel Philip, candidate of Social Democratic Party, SDP, for Ikwuano, among others.
