It was rains of emotions and encomiums as the remains of the Late former Commissioner for Environment, Dr Solomon Nkem Ogunji, was laid to rest in his hometown Ohambele Ndoki in Ukwa East Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking at the funeral service, organized by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu described the Late Ogunji as a fearless man who did not bear grudge against anyone.
According to him, the Late former Commissioner started showing signs of leadership and courage at a very young age adding that he was a man who was always willing and ready to go with his friends even to the fiercest of battles, a trusted ally who could not be bribed.
Dr Ikpeazu said that as a Commissioner, Late Dr Ogunji excelled as he attracted the erosion remediation work for Ohuhu community in, Umuahia North LGA as well as the N27bn World Bank fund for the rehabilitation of Ngwa, Obohia and Ohanku Roads in Aba where work is scheduled to be completed in the next 24 months.
He said that life is transient and death is universal pointing out that death is punishment for the living because of the emotional trauma the living pass through but peace for the dead.
The State Chief Executive said that the Nwabo family has lost a rare gem and enjoined the first son of the deceased to rise up and endeavour to fill the vacuum already created by the demise of their father, and therefore must be courageous to sustain the legacies of his father.
He announced that the State government has made a provision for the family.
In his sermon, the President, Eastern Nigeria Union Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor (Dr) Bassey Udoh, stated that man has few days on earth which is even full of trouble, adding that death is inevitable. He enjoined the bereaved family to make God their refuge, assuring them that God remains faithful when every other thing fails.
In a funeral oration read by his son on behalf of the family, Master Marvelous Ogunji described their late father as a friend, an encourager, motivator, voice of the voiceless, and a defender of the defenceless.
In their separate tributes, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chris Ezem, Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Member representing Ukwa East and West Federal constituency, Chief Uzoma Abonta among others eulogized the sterling characteristics of the deceased whom they described as courageous, honest, selfless and dependable, lamenting that his death has created a big vacuum not only in his family and immediate community but also in Abia as a whole.
Dr Solomon Ogunji who died at the age of 59 was until his death, the Commissioner for Environment and is survived by his wife, Mrs Chidinma Amanda Ogunji, 5 children, brothers, sisters and a host of other relations.
