Pa Soludo’s Burial And The Isuofia Correction 

Now this post is not to spite, but to point out the importance of “significant-others” leading by example and keeping to the biblical admonition in the book of 1Corinthians 8:13 which says, “Wherefore, if meat maketh my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I make not my brother to stumble”.

I believe the crafters of the Anambra burial law were inundated with the attendant economic pressure and strain that comes with burying loved ones from social, religious and cultural quarters. It is much worse when such solemn occasions degenerate to avoidable obscenities or contest of egos, all these adding nothing to the dead, leaving behind distorted humans who become pressured into frenetic pursuit of money at all cost and by all means.

Today’s burial of Governor Soludo’s Father, Pa. Simeon Nwankwo Soludo, marked a major paradigm shift as the Governor insisted on giving his father what he calls a “DECENT BURIAL”. While the occasion witnessed the presence of distinguished personalities, including the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, HE. Senator Kashim Shettima, it left them more in a state of reflection than fanfare.

On the faces of most guests and well-wishers was a dignifying awe that confirms that Pa. Soludo’s burial was more of a platform for Social redemption and value regeneration than a pressure duct and obscene showmanship.

The menu reflected Governor Soludo’s lifelong advocacy for everything made in Anambra and made in Nigeria. We have all learnt from the Soludos that giving humans a “befitting living” and a decent burial is far better than any other mundane consideration. Above all, I, like many others, now know the importance of avoiding eating any meat that would make our brothers stumble.

May the soul of Pa. Soludo rest in peace, and may the lessons of his decent burial not be lost on us.

— Mazi Ejimofor Opara