Prominent Igbo sons and daughters yesterday defied a torrential downpour to honour late Mrs Caroline Onoh, wife of the late Chief Christian Chukwuma Aninefungwu Onoh, former governor of old Anambra state, as she was laid to rest at her country home in Enugu Ngwo, Enugu state.
Late Mrs. Onoh was the mother of beauty pageant, wife of Ezeigbo Chukwuemka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Spain. She died June 21 at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu at the age of 81.
Her internment was preceded by a requiem at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Ogui, Enugu, which was conducted by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Revd. Callistus Onaga.
In a sermon, Rev. Fr. Nnamdi Nwankwo, who is also the principal of College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu, explained that the late Mrs. Onoh embodied strict Christian virtues which made her worthy of sainthood.
He urged the Catholic Bishop to consider initiating the process of her canonization as a fitting tribute for her “exemplary lifestyle”.
On his part, the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, described the late sage as “a virtuous woman of exemplary character who inspired many people with her selflessness, humility, simplicity and sincerity”, pointing out that as a community leader, she made exceptional contributions to the development of the society.
Other dignitaries who defied the heavy downpour to attend the burial ceremony included the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano; Ebonyi State Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bernard Ugwu; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, and wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi.
The immediate past civilian governors of Anambra and Ebonyi states, Mr. Peter Obi and Chief Martin Elechi, also attended the mass, just as former Minister of Information Mr. Labaran Maku, joined the family as the remains were lowered to the grave in her late husband’s compound.
