Ebonyi: First son of pioneer traditional rulers’ council chair laid to rest

The remains of late Prince Samuel Ogbu Agom-Eze, husband of prominent Ebonyi APC stalwart Princess Ann Nwanyibuife Agom-Eze, were laid to rest Friday amid tears and tributes in Umudomi, Onicha LGA.

The Christian funeral, conducted April 24 by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, drew politicians, clergy and sympathisers from across the country.

Prince Agom-Eze was the first son of the late monarch of Igboeze-Onicha community, HRH Ezeogo Elder Agom Eze, pioneer chairman of the Ebonyi State Traditional Rulers Council and former Commissioner for Education in the old Imo State.

In her funeral oration, Princess Agom-Eze, who contested the 2023 APC Ebonyi South senatorial ticket against former Governor David Umahi, described her husband as “not just a husband” but “my peace, my comfort and my greatest support.”

The mother of four praised his humility, integrity, strategic insight and intellect as “exceptional,” saying the pain of losing him was “deeply piercing.” She said she drew solace from the values, memories, family love and legacies he left behind.

Governor Francis Nwifuru, in a condolence message delivered by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, described the late Prince as an accomplished public servant whose “compassion and dedication have left indelible marks on the lives of many.” He called the death devastating and urged the family to take comfort in the exemplary life he lived.

Dignitaries at the burial included Minister of Works Senator David Umahi, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and Ebonyi First Lady Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru.

Condolence messages also came from the APC National Working Committee, National Youth Leader Dayo Israel Abdullahi, Deputy National Women Leader Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, and Ebonyi APC Chairman Stanley Okoro Emegha.

Emegha said the late Prince “will continue to be remembered for his humility, integrity, and peaceful nature, as well as the respect he earned across all spheres of life.”

The deceased’s first daughter, Barr. Mrs Chinelo Agom-Eze Onwuegbuna, described her father as a jovial, loving and dedicated family man who shaped her and her siblings’ lives.

“What I will miss most is being able to call him and we will joke as we used to do. He always made time to listen to our problems. He was always quick with a joke, and had a nickname for each of us,” she said.

In her homily titled: “The Worst That Can Happen to a Man”, Rt. Rev. Mrs Uchenna Chigozie, National Desk Coordinator of the Women’s Guild of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, urged Christians to prioritise their soul’s journey in eternity over earthly riches. She stressed the inevitability of death and warned that “the worst that can happen to anyone is to die in sin, without knowing Christ.”

The ceremony featured special songs, dances and poetic renditions in honour of the deceased.