Use Your Blessings To Lift Others, Not Oppress Them" , Priest Charges Faithful At Ezzinne Okonkwo's Funeral

Use Your Blessings To Lift Others, Not Oppress Them" , Priest Charges Faithful  At Ezzinne Okonkwo's Funeral 

By Magnus Emuji/Chukwudi Asoya 

 A renowned Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Benedict Okonkwo, has urged individuals, particularly those blessed with wealth, to use their resources to impact lives rather than oppress others.

Rev. Fr. Okonkwo made the call at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Okpanam, during the funeral mass of the late Ezinne Mrs. Agnes Uchechukwuka Okonkwo (Nee Obiekea) , who died at the age of 77.

The funeral mass was attended by dignitaries including the Director-General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah; the member representing Oshimili North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Frank Esenwa; and the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress for Okpanam/Ugbolu Ward 9, Elder John Onyemal; the Chairman of APC Elders' Forum, Chief Gideon Dada Mokogwu, among others.

Addressing the congregation, Rev. Fr. Okonkwo stressed the need for love, compassion, and forgiveness among people, noting that God rewards those who live for others.

He described the late Ezinne Okonkwo as having lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation, and urged her children not to deviate from God, as their mother was a committed Christian.

Speaking to journalists, the first son of the deceased, Mr. Leonard Okonkwo, described his mother as a woman of substance who derived joy from the happiness of others, adding that she had a passion for helping the needy.

While noting that her passing marked the end of an era and had created a vacuum in the family, Mr. Okonkwo said she was very protective of both her nuclear and extended family because of the deep love she had for them.

He pledged to sustain his mother’s legacy by strengthening love and unity in the family, and by keeping her memory alive through acts of charity to the less privileged in society.

In their separate remarks, the deceased’s foster son, Mr. Anthony Amaechi Anukwu;  Mr. Emmanuel Nwanze; Mrs. Emmanuella Obikogwu; and Mr. Felix Adigwe, described her as a virtuous and God-fearing woman who showed love and care to everyone she encountered.

Recalling that the deceased was accommodating and dependable at all times, they said they would miss her words of encouragement and wisdom. Mr. Anukwu also attributed his personal achievements to the positive impact the deceased had on his life.

Also speaking, the deceased’s immediate younger brother, Engineer Augustine Obiekea, said his sister lived a fulfilled life, adding that the family would take solace in the impactful life she lived.