OBJ, Obi, Uzodimma, Ohakim, Ihedioha, Others Bid Achonu's Mother Farewell

Amby Uneze in Owerri 

The burial celebration of Lady Martha Chioma Achonu,  mother of Senator Athan Achonu at Umunumo in Ehime Mbano of Imo State was like a political gathering which attracted Nigeria's political heavyweight to the sleepy community.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo led other dignitaries such as the State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, former governors Ikedi Ohakim and Emeka Ihedioha, Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi who represented the Presidential Campaign Council State Coordinator, Chief Martin Agbaso and a host of others.

Preaching at the requiem high mass presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Solomon Amatu, Bishop of Okigwe Catholic Diocese, the cleric said, "Today, Umunumo is Nigeria's capital because the whole of Nigeria is here today for the celebration of Ezinne Martha Achonu".

The Bishop was assisted by the Parish Priest  Saint Charles Catholic Church,  Umunumo and Dean of Ehime Deanery, Monsignor J.U. Ofoegbu, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Ekejiuba, Rev. Fr. Valentine Anyanwu and others who came from Okigwe Diocese and beyond.

The burial was like a carnival with human and vehicular traffic as the first time the community was witnessing such a gamut of the crowd. Achonu who represented Imo North Senatorial zone in the National Assembly was the chief mourner.

The highlight of the day was when the presiding Bishop Amatu who extolled the virtues of the deceased, handed over the microphone to the former president, Obasanjo, who in his usual jocular manner teased the audience.

Without mincing words, Obasanjo commended Achonu, saying he would not have honoured the invitation if Achonu was not a good man.

He then called out former governor Ikedi Ohakim who sat far from Uzodimma in the church, led him to the governor and ordered the duo to embrace themselves. They obediently obeyed the command of the former Nigerian president.

Obasanjo had earlier on the lighter side, told Uzodimma he "must pay a fine for wasting one hour of my time, waiting for you"

On his part, Uzodimma who, during his speech, said he was not at the event to play politics, but to pay tribute to a great matriarch, somehow mentioned names of personalities present, expressing appreciation for their presence without that of former governor Emeka Ihedioha.

Among other personalities present were Uzodimma's deputy Prof. Placid Njoku, Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka, Secretary to Imo State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Uche Ogah, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, Chief Tony Chukwu, member of Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), ace broadcaster, Hon. Chimamkpam Anyamkpa.