Ogbulafor Laid to Rest Amidst Tributes  by Politicians, Clerics, Other Groups

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The remains of the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor, yesterday, were committed to mother earth at his home in Itaja-Obuohia, Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government of Abia State.

The funeral ceremony which was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life including politicians, high ranking clerics, traditional rulers and various religious and social groups commenced with a requiem mass at the Holy Cross Catholic Church Ahiaukwu Olokoro.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, in his tributes at the solemn event traced his political journey to the late former PDP chairman, saying that he not only led him into politics but also impacted on his political views.

He said that Ogbulafor had lived a good life and fought a good fight, adding that he left footprints of many legacies on the sands of time.

According to Otti, it was one Ogbulafor’s legacies that inspired him to join politics and has today been added to the legacies that the late elder statesman has left behind.

He regretted that death came calling for the late politician when he was already recovering, urging the family members of the deceased, especially the wife and aged mother to bear the loss with fortitude.

Governor Otti, who disclosed that the history of his political journey cannot be complete without Prince Ogbulafor, said he fought a good fight while alive, adding that whatever is left for the living is to move forward.

In his homily, the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Ecclesiastical Province, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, stressed the need for everyone to know that death is a reality while life is ephemeral and fragile, hence the need to be mindful of how one lives his life on earth.

He reminded the living to reconcile with God so as to gain eternal rest at death, noting that Ogbulafor laboured and contributed immensely to his family and the wider society.

Ugorji stated that late Prince Ogbulafor was a gentle man who exhibited good deeds, and a philanthropist, adding that he died peacefully in far away Canada on October 6, 2022 while receiving treatment.

The first son of the deceased, Mr. Uchenna Ezeogbulafor, described their father as a good family man, a man of integrity and candour, who was phenomenal in every human endeavour and would forever be missed.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for the relationship that existed between him and their father and for coming to identify with the family and prayed to God to bless all that have come to mourn with them.

Among the array of dignitaries that came to pay their last respects to the late Abia-born political icon were the deputy governor of Imo State, Professor Placid Njoku, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, who represented Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was represented by former Minister of Defence, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), the Catholic Bishop of Aba, Most Reverend Professor Augustine Echema, former governor of Anambra State, Okwesilieze Nwodo, the immediate past deputy governor of Abia, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, among others.