“Your sudden death robbed me of your love, wisdom and guidance”, Rep. Onuigbo Mourns Only Brother
Your sudden death has robbed me of your love, wisdom and guidance
The former member of the House of Representatives for Ikwuano/ Umuahia Federal constituency of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Samuel Onuigbo has lamented that the demise of his only brother, Elder Chief Lawrence Onuigbo Oriaku as a good man who impacted humanity while he was alive. robbed him of his love, wisdom and guidance.
Onuigbo who is currently the member representing the South East on the Board of North East Development Commission, wailed that the sudden death of his elder brother had created a void that would never be filled by anyone else.
Odozi-Obodo stated this at the funeral service of the deceased held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at his country home, Obuohia-Ibere in Ikwuano LGA, Abia eulogized his late elder brother stressing that the love that has always existed in their family will continue even after the death of his elder brother.
Describing the octogenarian as a man of peace and love, emotional ladden Onuigbo pledged that the family would not derail from the existing pattern as set by the deceased.
Onuigbo’s tribute to the departed read in part:
“As a very young child enjoying the protective custody of my parents who were successful farmers, I did not know that I had an elder brother up until when the Nigerian-Biafran war broke out in July, 1967. That period of profound instability and upheaval forced relatives and other kinsmen U to scamper back to the village for safety. The influx of war refugees and the accompanying in competition for survival led to fierce struggle for (2 scarce resources, including war rations like, “Agidi Gabon.”
“The protection and support I received from a stronger and more confident person revealed to me that I had an elder brother in you, “Dee Mgbeonye.” This protection and guidance you gave me during the civil war firmly etched you on my memory.
“Our late mother, Ya Mary, fondly called you “Chimamgbeonyerem,” while our late father, Chief Onuigbo Oriaku, called you “Nlewadim.” We, your siblings and associates, affectionately called you “De Law,” in appreciation and admiration of your interest in law and fair adjudication of cases. You subsequently became a Judge at the Customary Court Ariam in the Abia State Judicial Service Commission. You never perverted justice.
“On different occasions, you have shown leadership abilities. One of such was when I wanted to launch the primary school block that I attracted through the US Embassy and faced some hindrances from the village. You had gone to work and smoothened things, which enabled the ceremony to hold in May, 2001, with the then US Ambassador of Nigeria, Amb. Howard Franklin Jeter, and then Abia State Governor, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, to be in attendance.
The Launch was hugely successful, and up until today remains immensely beneficial to the community.
Continuing, he said:
“De Law,” you were an intelligent, determined, focused and fearless arbiter. Your sudden death has robbed me of your love, wisdom and guidance. The cold hands of death have stolen my elder and only brother. De law, your absence leaves a void that can never be filled. We will surely miss you.
May your soul rest in peace.”
Earlier in his requiem, the Clergy Snr. Apostle Raphael Onyeije of the New Gospel Mission Incorporated who based his sermon on the bible text of 2 Timothy 4:21 called for sober reflection from all present.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O Kanayo, in his remarks, charged Nigerians to be always be conscious of their living, knowing that they would one day go back home to meet with God.
Kanayo urged the people to always live with the mindset that the end could come at any time and therefore approach everything with focus on eternity.
Pointing at the casket carrying the deceased he said: “I’m always conscious of my life and I know that one day I will lie like this.
“If we all have this consciousness I don’t think we will do as we like because we will give an account to our Maker when we return to Him.”
The multiple award-winning actor and lawyer, ceased the opportunity to tell the cheering congregation the origin and meaning of his name.
He said that his was given the name Kanayochukwu meaning, “let’s continue to beg God,” after his parents had lost about three of his siblings before him.
He emphasised that he was given the name so, hoping that God would allow him to survive, rather than die at infancy like his other siblings.
Kanayo who described the late Lawrence as a man of conscience, said he decided to honour the funeral in spite of his busy schedule, because of his close relationship with Chief Sam Onuigbo.
