EX-MINISTER GOES HOME AMIDST TRIBUTES IN EBONYI
The body of the former Minister of Police Affairs, Chief Francis Orji has been buried in his country home at Ichita Ukpai villa hometown, Owutu Edda in Edda local government area of Ebonyi state amidst tributes.
The funeral service of the former Minister who served between 1992 and 1993 was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Right Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu.
Orji who was also a former Deputy Governor in the old Abia and Imo states died at the age of 89 years. The burial ceremony attracted dignitaries including Ebonyi State Governor Right Honourable (Dr) Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, former governors like Chief Marthin Elechi, Engr David Umahi among others.
In a tribute , the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru described late Chief Orji as a seasoned politician who was part of the struggle for the creation of Ebonyi State.
“Today, we are gathered to bid a heroic farewell and salute to a patriotic and illustrious son of Ebonyi State, a frontline politician and a revered community leader – His Excellency, Chief Francis Amah Orji, who begins his final journey today.” “Only our positive legacies survive after we are no more. Those prints of love, growth and development for humanity in the sands of time, are pointers to how well we have lived”.
“I have often said, that you can take everything out of a man, but you cannot take his legacies away from him. Our father, Late Chief Francis Orji, left tremendous legacies in Ebonyi State and Nigeria at large. In his legacies, he lives forever. For this reason, we are here to pay our last respect to him”.
The Governor emphasized that Late Chief Francis Amah Orji lived a sacrificial life, characterised by patriotism, love, and fear of God with a pure passion for excellence. The State Chief Executive assured that Government, will ensure that the legacies of discipline, excellence in service delivery, teamwork, resilience and above all, patriotism, which he were widely known for, will be institutionalized as part of his administration’s quest for civil and public service reforms.
“It is indeed sad, that the physical presence of Chief Francis Orji will forever be missed, but his legacies will never be forgotten. We will at all times, stick to excellence in all we do as Government. Of course, in constituting our executive council, heads of boards and commissions, this was the compass. He will be surely missed”.
The first son of the deceased and former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Blaise Orji said he would miss his father greatly.
