By Ejike Abana
The father of the Governor of Anambra, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the Late Pa Simeon Nwankwo Soludo has been laid to rest.
The funeral ceremony was carried out in compliance with the Anambra State Burial law 2019.
The funeral mass was held at St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Isuofia, celebrated by Peter Cardinal Okpalaeke.
Speaking during the mass, Governor Soludo said that the burial law aims to encourage celebration of the living, stressing that ndị Igbo have allowed burial ceremonies to exert undue pressure on poor people.
While describing their late father as someone that had a fulfilled life, the Governor appreciated everyone that pushed for the law to see the light of the day, saying that the burial ceremony was used by their family to make a statement to the poor that they can organize a decent burial without spending too much money.
Earlier in a homily, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Jonas-Benson Okoye reminded Christians that life will end one day, urging them to embrace eternity because it matters the most.
Pa Soludo was then interred at his country home after his family members processed to give him their final respects followed by his fellow titled men and associates and prayers by Cardinal Okpalaeke.
Some of the people who spoke to the ABS including the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, Senator Victor Umeh, and Senator Rochas Okorocha, asked the family to sustain their late father’s legacy of hardwork.
Dignitaries who attended the funeral ceremony include Nigeria’s Vice President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, Senator Tony Nwoye, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Deputy Governors of Delta, Oyo and Ebonyi states, Archbishop Alexander Ibezim, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, Bishop Moses Ezedebego, Members of Anambra State Executive Council and a galaxy of friends and sympathizers.
The Late Pa Soludo who passed on at age 92, was survived by seven children, twenty seven grand children, seven great grand children and eight daughters-in-law.
Different masquerade and music displays including the popular Egedege maestro, Theresa Onuoha performed at the event.
