…As Augustine Nwikinaka Is Laid To Rest
Tears followed freely in the oil-rich Kpean community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday, following the interment of one-time Chief Press Secretary to the government of former Governor Peter Odili as thousands of friends, relatives and colleagues stood still to pay their last respect.
Nwikinaka until his death was a Pastor-in-charge of the D/Line Satellite church of Salvation Ministry, was also the Chairman of the Kpean Governing Council, a creation, according to local sources, following the death of the paramount ruler of the community.
In an open air funeral service that held at the Fatima Nursery and Primary School, Kpean, the Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Etche Satellite Church, Pastor Gary Ozegbe urged humanity not to procrastinate with the issue of salvation, as the coming of the lord Jesus Christ was nearer than expected.
Taking his sermon from Psalm 116:15, the cleric told the congregation that the saints of God are very dear to Him hence He called them precious even in death.
“The dangerous place to be is in the middle of the road. It is either you serve God or the devil. If you are undecided, you are irresponsible and suffering from ‘iberiberism’, borrowing from Imo State”, Pastor Ozegbe declared.
He went on: “How many more women do you want to sleep with before you make up your mind? How many more bottles of beer will you drink before you accept Christ?”
The funeral service also witnessed the rendition of solemn hymns by the Christian faithful.
In different tributes, speakers extolled the qualities of Late Pastor Augustine Nwikinaka, whom they said was honest, committed and lover of development.
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu said though the Press Unit of the Government House, Port Harcourt received the news of Nwikinaka’s death with shock, it was consoled by the fact that the life of the Late Information Manager profited the society.
He said that the Late Augustine Nwikinaka left a legacy of outstanding contributions to re-defining the management of Information at the highest level of the state.
Former Member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Legborsi Nwidadah described Nwikinaka as a man of integrity whose actions were normally aimed at developing the society.
He said Nwikinaka contributed to the sponsorship and grooming of several Kpean youths, including himself. He said that Kpean will miss their outstanding son.
Speaking on behalf of St Pius K. College, Bodo, Prof Joseph Vipene said that the Late Augustine Nwikinaka was an outstanding alumnus of alma mater.
A Representative of Salvation Ministry praised the commitment of the Late Pastor Augustine to the gospel, while the daughter of the deceased read his biography.
The Late Pastor Augustine Nwikinaka was also a General Manager of the Tide Newspaper and two-time Chairman of Rivers State NUJ.
