By Tony Okafor
The funeral church service for Somadina Christian Maduka at St Peter’s Parish Anglican Church, Abagana, in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, was marked by a powerful sermon from the Anglican Bishop of Ihiala diocese, Prof Israel Okoye.
He admonished Christians to reject materialism and embrace Jesus, emphasizing that many people profess Christ without truly knowing Him.
Bishop Okoye reassured Christians that they had a place to go and encouraged them to hold onto hope, citing John 14:1-3 as his sermon reference.
He paid tribute to the late Somadina Christian Maduka, urging Christians to have faith in Christ.
He emphasized that Christ came to show us the light and that without His teachings, the prevailing circumstances could disillusion many.
“We are going somewhere; there is hope. Christ came to show us the light. Hardship can disillusion us if not for the teachings of Christ,” Bishop Okoye said.
He discouraged materialism, adding, “Some people have dark minds. Do we know Jesus? If we know Jesus, it will reflect in our lives.”
He further emphasized that Christ came so that we may have life in abundance, encouraging Christians to focus on their faith and relationship with God rather than material possessions.
The son of the deceased, Victor Afamefuna Maduka, expressed gratitude to the guests, saying, “We are sincerely grateful to all who have shown us great love in our time of grief.
“Your prayers, visits, financial supports, advice, words of encouragement, phone calls, letters, gifts, and show of love assisted immensely in giving and bidding a befitting farewell to our dad.”
Dignitaries in attendance included the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, represented by Prof Stella Okunna and Dr Valentine Obienyem; former Secretary to the Anambra State Government (SSG), Chief Osita Ezenwa, Chief Chinedu Offomata, and Chief Humprey Nsofor.
