The Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, has declared that the Anambra State governor elect, Professor Charles Soludo and his deputy Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim will not only be inaugurated in March 2022 but will succeed in taking the state to a new level. Most Rev. Ibezim made the declaration at the St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ukpo in the Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State during the final burial service for Lady Chinyelu Georgina Ezeaku, mother of the Publisher of New National Star newspaper, Ogochukwu Ezeaku. According to the clergyman, the peace that God granted to the people of Anambra state during and after the election which was gripped with suspense due to the insecurity in the region will manifest during the tenure of Soludo.
“Dr. Ebezim, you are one of us here in the Anglican as such God will not allow you and your boss, the governor, to be put to shame. We will pray from this altar for God to guide and lead you through; “The administration of Prof. Soludo will never fail the state because when people thought there won’t be an election, we prayed and declared that they will be an election and it was so, therefore, I declared that you will be inaugurated in March 2022 and you will succeed in your leadership of the state,” he said. However, the church was filled to capacity and the service was attended by prominent personalities, including the Anambra State Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, priests, political office holders, friends and families, among others who came to pay their last respects to the late Lady Chinyelu Ezeaku. Also present were the management team and staff of the New National Star newspaper.
The Archbishop Ibezim, while delivering his sermon extolled Lady Ezeaku for impacting meaningfully in the lives of Christians and her contributions to the expansion of the Anglican Church in Anambra State. Archbishop Ibezim reminded Christians that death is inevitable, urging them to play roles that would attract souls to God. He stressed the need to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness as a way to attain the kingdom of God. “Lady Chinyelu Ezeaku was a dedicated woman who touched several lives while on earth. She was at the forefront of promoting unity and peace among her friends. She was a prayerful woman who through her lifestyle raised a wonderful family for God. “Death doesn’t discriminate. No one knows when death will come, but always be ready at all times. At the appointed time, no matter your position or political height, there will be no security men around you. “No exercise of political power, no manipulation of results or judgement; you will stand alone to give an account of your stewardship. Let me remind us that our activities in life are recorded. As a wife, husband, child, no matter your position, your activities are recorded, either in the book of life or death. “This is a call for repentance. The worst death is the second death.
The first is physical death, while the other is eternal damnation. “Don’t live your life as if you are the owner, but rather remember there is life after death. Always think about the day you will die and amend your ways,” the archbishop reminded the congregation. The archbishop used the opportunity to thank God for the successful conduct of the Anambra State governorship election and prayed that the incoming administration would have a successful reign. In their separate reactions, friends of Ogochukwu Ezeaku, who came to sympathize with the grieving family, urged them to take solace in God. One of the friends, Edochie Mmadu, described the late Lady Ezeaku as a good mother and woman of substance, who contributed to the growth of the Anglican Church. “If you look at the Anglican Church in this community, you will appreciate what she has done. So I urge the children to emulate her good works, especially on community leadership,” he admonished. Another family friend, Prince Emeka Kalu, also known as Magic Fingers, said Sir Ogochukwu had been his friend as far back as 1992, adding that “you need to know this woman, Lady Ezeaku. She was a philanthropist. Though she’s dead, her legacies still exist. She replicated her character in the life of Ogochukwu Ezeaku. “We know it’s true that all will die, but death cannot kill the good deeds this woman left behind. They should take solace in God.
“It’s a tragic loss, but out of the ashes of such a tragedy, may we all rise to embrace the dawn of a new era where we will have consolation in the fact that God made her to live a good life and through our prayers, she will be in heaven, praying for us too.” Also speaking, a family friend, Mr. Stanley Okeke, said, “Ogochukwu is my friend and brother. His mother died at a very ripe age, but that doesn’t mean we are not touched. But we wish she had lived more. I wish the family God’s grace to bear the loss. I sympathize with them and may her soul rest in perfect peace.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Oguchukwu Ezeaku, the first son of the deceased thanked everyone who made their way to Ukpo to share with the Ezeaku family in their grief, adding that they were indebted to all of them. Lady Chinyelu Ezeaku who was born in 1940 died on August 27, 2021, at the age of 81 and was laid to rest on Friday in her hometown amidst tears, prayers and tributes.