…Amidst Pomp, Pageantry
It was celebration galore over the weekend in Port-Harcourt as the remains of an erudite professor and dedicated man of God, late Special Senior Apostle (Prof) George Iheanyichukwu Ken Akaniwor was committed to mother earth in his country home, No.1 Wilson close, Orazi Community, Rumueme Kingdom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
At the service of songs in his honour held on Thursday January 30,2020 at his residence, members of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim & Seraphim church, the Academic Community as well as the general public used the opportunity to testify about the life and times of late Elder Akaninwor.
Not a few testified that late Akaninwor was an upright man and a philanthropist per excellence.
In his homely, the Diobu Province Asst Secretary of ESOCS, Apostle Randy Achor Anwumeru whose text was taken from Eclessiatis 12 vs 7 said it is important Christians apply conscions in the way they live their life in order for one to achieve a glorious exit the way they entered the world.
According to him, “until one has a good relationship with God, it is not possible to achieve a glorious exit from the world as Elder Akaninwor did”.
He maintained that Akaninwor lived a simple and moderate lifestyle that did not hurt anybody hence the crowd of mourners who came from far and near to pay their last respect to the fallen hero.
“Elder Akaninwor lived a life of dedication and commitment to the things of God. His living did not cause pains to the school environment, his Community, the Church and the society in general“, he declared
Friday 31st January, 2020 the body of late Prof Akaninwor was taken to the Convocation Arena of the Rivers State University where he was the Dean, Faculty of Science & Technical Education until his sudden demise as his former colleagues filed out to pay their last respect. He was later layed in state at his residence.
Thereafter the motor-cade was directed to the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola for a commendation service by the ESOCS church.
Also delivering his sermon at the service, Supervising Apostle Joel Alozie electrified the arena with his mastry of the bible. Taking his text from psalm 90 vs 12 which read “teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom“. The man of God admonished Christians to live a meaningful life worthy of emulation.
He made it clear that if indeed Christians are the followers of Christ Jesus they should endeavour to imitate his peaceful and honest life style doing good wherever they found themselves, adding that the meaning of GOD is God on display.
“Christians should endeavour not to live a careless life but learn to number our days and to realize that one day we shall return to our maker and all our works shall stand against us as witness. And so live a righteous life as everyone must give account how he/she spend the life which is a gift“, he stated.
The man of God urged Christians to endeavour to affect lives positively anywhrere they found themselves.
The funeral oration of the Rivers State University was given by the Registrar, Dr Sydney C. Eyindah where he elogised the virtue of late Akaninwor adding that he was indeed an upright man who had served in various sensitive committees of the school with indelible results.
“The school shall indeed miss this noble man”, he said. On behalf of the Akaninwor family, Rev (Dr) Boniface Akaninwor whose remarks was in pros and idioms lamented the sudden exit of late George Akaninwor even as they made elaborate plans for their retirement period. “Oh, the ink is no longer following; the trumpeters have broken their instruments; the dancers are stripped naked at the square; And the light extinguished at midnight; How did the mighty fall, why, why, why!! He lamented.
The funeral oration of the church was read by the Obio District Secretary, Supervising Apostle Ovunda Amadi. While lamenting the sudden departure of the senior Elder, he prayed for all to take solace in the fact that the deceased was a committed member who equally died in the lord, and that his place is guaranteed in God`s bossom.
Late Akaninwor`s first son Senior Leader Godson Chijioke Akaninwor read the biography of his father, who was aged 67yrs. He said their father lived a fulfilled life and touch many lives especially those who came in contact with him.
Till his death our patriarch never relented in the service of God which he did with all his substance.
The Junior Akaninwor maintained that their patriarch was a builder, a peacemaker, a man of integrity, philanthropist and a helper of the down trodden in the society and prayed for the repose of his father’s soul.
