Former Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Late Barr. Benjamin Onochieobodo Okonkwo, has been laid to rest at his country home in Okpanam.
The burial was attended by a retinue of political associates, party leaders, especially from the All Progressives Congress (APC), community leaders, and well-wishers from various parts of the state.
Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony to honour the former council boss were the Director-General of the State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah; former Chairman of Ndokwa East, Hon. Barr. Samuel Chukwuji; the Ikejani-Enyi of Okpanam, Chief Felix Okafor; the Asaba Zonal Commander of Anti-Cult, Chief Nnamdi Ogwuda; Delta State APC Leader , Comrade Christopher Agali; a frontline chairmanship aspirant for Oshimili North, Chief Chibueze Aniemeka, popularly known as “Pino” and the NDC House of Assembly candidate for Oshimili North Constituency, Comrade Ashinze Charles Obiodogwu. The list of attendees was extensive.
Speaking to journalists, a retired Director in the Delta State Civil Service, Mr. Dominic Omakpesiaye, described the late council boss as a humble, accessible, peace-loving, and easy-going man. He said Okonkwo was his landlord.
Recalling the impact of the news of the deceased’s passing, Mr. Omakpesiaye said it was devastating to him and his family.
According to him, the deceased was not just his landlord but also a friend who, a few months before his death, sent him a heartwarming birthday message on the occasion of his 63rd birthday.
Mr. Omakpesiaye prayed to God to guide and strengthen the family the deceased left behind.
He stated that losing the breadwinner of a family and someone whom people look up to can be painful. He urged the children to sustain the towering legacy of their father.
In his remarks, a renowned legal practitioner in the community, Barr. Arinze Aniemeka, described the death of the former council chairman as unfortunate and “the end of an era”. He noted that the deceased impacted lives positively through his generosity.
Barr. Aniemeka explained that as a former council chairman and politician, Late Barr. Okonkwo brought development to communities in Oshimili North. He also enjoined the children to take solace in the impactful life their father lived.
He said the deceased was his mentor in politics and in the legal profession, and pointed out that Okonkwo performed creditably as local government chairman.
By Magnus Emuji/Chukwudi Asoya
