Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his wife, Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike were among the dignitaries who attended the funeral of Sir, (Chief) Fidelis Obi Odili at Ndoni.
Late Sir Fidelis Obi Odili, the Nzeobi of Ndoni, who passed on at the age of 82, was the elder brother of former Rivers State governor, Sir, Dr. Peter Odili.
The funeral service was held at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area on Saturday.
In his homily, the Chaplain of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Reverend Monsignor Pius Kii, who spoke on the topic: “Grieving, thankful and hopeful,” said family, friends, dignitaries who attended the funeral are grieved because they will miss the generosity of the late Odili.
Monsignor Kii, noted that all who came in contact with Sir Fidelis Obi Odili during his sojourn on earth, will ever be thankful to God for the privilege to have encountered a man, whose generosity and hospitality cannot be contradicted.
He assured those who graced the funeral, particularly Christians, of the hope of meeting Sir Fidelis Obi Odili, whose dedication and devotion to the service to God was legendary, again, at the resurrection of the dead in Christ.
Monsignor Kii admonished friends and well wishers to cultivate the habit of investing in the life of people around them as exemplified by the deceased.
In his remarks, the Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Camillus Etokudoh urged the Odili’s family to take solace in the legacy the deceased had left behind.
The Bishop, who was represented by the Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Patrick Eluke, explained that the late Fidelis Obi Odili, lived a good, purposeful and fruitful life, worthy of emulation.
He also used the occasion to commend Governor Wike for the donation of N50Million to the church last week. He further thanked him for the unprecedented infrastructural development taking place in the State, particularly, in his second term in office.
In his vote of thanks, the son of the deceased, Mr. Ogechukwu Joel Odili, thanked Governor Wike for his unalloyed commitment to his friendship with the Odili’s family.
He also commended his uncle and former governor, Peter Odili, for his unflinching support and guidance as the head of the Odili’s family.
Present at the funeral service were the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani; the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon C. Amadi; the Secretary to the Government of Rivers State, Dr. Tammy Danagogo; the Chairman Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara; the Head of Service Rivers State, Mr. Rufus Godwin; former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Senator Lee Maeba among others.
