By Juliana Nwachukwu
As all roads led to Umuchu community, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State for the burial ceremony of a centenarian, late Pa Nze Hyacinth Eduogu, who died at the ripe age of 107 years, the Cathedral Episcopal Vicar, Ekwulobia Diocese, Rev. Fr Alphonsus Ezeoke, who presided over the burial mass, reminded all that they must return to dust.
According to him irrespective of one’s position in the society, death is an inevitable end that will come when it will come and then one returns to dust where he came from.
The Vicar who is also the Cathedral Administrator of Ekwulobia Diocese, in his homily stressed that, ” bringing the corpse inside the church for mass celebration signifies keeping the corpse at the feet of Jesus Christ because whenever you come to a mass, you come to the feet of Jesus Christ.
“If you look at the cross, what was done on the cross is what has been taking place on the altar, so whenever a corpse is brought to the church, it is for the water and blood which gushed out from the side of Jesus Christ to wash him(the dead), it is spiritual, that is what Christians pray for, other celebrations is to fulfil all righteousness and to showcase wealth,” he disclosed.
The Catholic priest made the disclosure at Holy Name Parish church, Umuchu at the burial mass of Late Nze, High Chief Hyacinth Ikeagwuonu Eduogu, emphasizing that the same Bible readings goes with the Ash Wednesdays which reminds the living that, “We are mortals, that you can die, dust you are and unto dust you shall return”.
In his sermon, Rev Fr Anthony Ezeoke, from St Maria Goretti Parish Umuona, charged Christians to invest in the church, disclosing that he benefitted from late Pa Eduogu as a Seminarian, who was among those that pay stipends and see to the welfare of the then Seminarians from Umuchu.
“Use this disposition of wealth during burial to help the needy, remember and pay school fees for the needy, build Glotto where people can pray or use this money for foundation instead,” he pleaded.
He urged the youths to seek the face of God for their progress even as he lauded the governor for the sack of native doctors and others who have been part of the societal problems.
Speaking, the Supreme President, Nze na Ozo Umuchu, Nze, Chinedu Ezeoha, described late Pa Eduogu as one of the pillars of Nze na Ozo Umuchu who achieved a lot for the Nze na Ozo society by making sure that the society stands in Umuchu.
In his words, the Chairman, Old Motor Car Park Dealers, Mgbuka Obosi, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa noted that late Pa Eduogu died a peaceful death and had longevity
Chairman Oseokwodu Market, Chief Ikechukwu Umeanozie noted that longevity is God’s gift despite one’s good life, stating that Nze Mbakogu was a good man who had longevity given to him by God which showed God’s love for him
” The Bible says 70 years but God added more 30 year plus to him showing his love for him. Nze Mbakogu left legacies of togetherness, and peace, I advise his children especially the first son to maintain the peace and togetherness which the late father had cultivated in the family”, he noted.
The brother of the deceased, Chief Martin Eduogu reiterated that late Mbakogu was like a father to him because their late father died at his early age, recalling that he wore the best school uniform during his elementary school period as a result of his brother(Late Mbakogu) who was a tailor and was always leading by example.
His first son, Chief Hilary Eduogu, MD, Zehill Industry Limited, described the father as a truthful and transparent being, who built St Matthews Church, Umuchu, now called Holy Name Parish and accounted for it accurately which was not doubted by anybody, after several people who were called to build it looted the money.
“It was in our house that the money gathered from bazaar sales were being kept and collected intact by the church at their own time. My father lost three motorcycles while running errands for the building of the church which I later complained, he told me to keep calm that when the blessings would come, I would begin to wonder what is happening, today we are reaping from the labour of our father. I pray that God would rest his soul,” he pleaded.
Expressing her joy over the life well spent by the father, the 1st daughter, Mrs Louisa Okpalaugo (Nee Eduogu) said “Our father while alive came to my sick bed when my both legs were cut off and told me not to die before him so that I can give him a befitting burial and gave directives on what can be done, but if I die before him,he would not bury me as such. I thanked God he died my death and I pray that God would grant him eternal rest.”
The second, third and fourth sons of late Mbakogu, Chief Ifeanyi Eduogu, Nwaodu, Okwunna and Ekene Eduogu described their late father as a peace maker, charitable creature who extended his hand of fellowship to friends, relations and the needy.
* Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
