CRAN Bids Chibuike Osuji Good Night

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

It was a solemn moment for the members of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), at the weekend when they gathered to bid one of their members, Mr. Chibuike Newman Osuji, ‘good night’ in Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the event took place at his residence at Sikiru Alimi Street in Ijesha area of Lagos.

Dignitaries including the representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zubairu Muazu, Senior Police Officers, friends and family were present to say goodbye to late Osuji who died of prostate cancer in a private hospital about three Sundays ago.

During the funeral service at his residence, Elder Frank Oshanugor, quoting from the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, told the crowd that there was time for everything: “There is time to enjoy, a time to mourn and a time to laugh, etc. This is the time to mourn, but we should know that death is a transition and not a punishment.
”We should leave a good legacy behind when we join the Creator. There is heaven and there is hell. Where you spend your eternity is what matters. We have heard the good testimonies about our brother, Osuji. He was a good man, caring and loved by many. Let us pray for the repose of his soul as we bid him final good bye as he goes home” Elder Frank said.

The CRAN President, Odita Sunday, was of the opinion that as Christians, people should not mourn, but should give glory to God for the short time on earth. “The Bible told us that, in all things, people should give thanks to God. The Bible did not say in some cases. It did not say during marriage or naming ceremonies alone, but in all things.
Our brother is dead physically but he is alive in the Lord. So, we should not mourn but give thanks to God for the little time he spent on earth”.
“CRAN contributed immensely during the time he spent in the hospital. We visited many times, prayed with him, bought many pints of blood and gave huge amounts of money. CRAN did publications in the media on his sickness, which attracted some sympathisers who donated money for our friend’s hospital bills. We did our best, but God knows the best.
“Osuji was a good man, kindhearted and an active member of our prestigious association. We are going to miss him! CRAN will pursue his insurance benefits, which will be handed over to his beneficiary. But for the mean time, CRAN will hand over N200,000 for the upkeep of his mother.
“I want to thank all those who contributed to the success of the funeral, especially the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zubairu Muazu, who gave us maximum financial and moral support. He is barley two months in the office, yet he acted as if he has been with us for so long a time. We also thank the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Bala Elkana, who represented the Commissioner of Police. My gratitude also goes to the Commander, Rapid Response Squad, ACP Tunji Disu, who personally honoured us and provided security all throughout the service” Odita said.
On his part, ACP Disu praised CRAN’s members for their unity of purpose, as they rally round their members anytime: “CRAN is a respected, responsible and responsive organisation that does not joke with its members. I pray that you will not witness untimely death again” he said.

DSP Elkana said that the Commissioner of Police intended to be present at the funeral but due to the exigencies of duty, he could not make it: “He has sent me to console CRAN and the family of Osuji. He has told me to let you know that he will continue to be with CRAN in times of happiness and sorrow.”
The Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Quasim Akinreti, who gave out an undisclosed amount of money to the family, said that Osuji was an active member of the Union who would not be forgotten so soon. He commended CRAN for always being together in any circumstances and enjoined other unions to emulate the quality lifestyle of a formidable association as CRAN. He urged the Osuji family to know that they loved their son but that God loves him best and knew why he called him to his abode.
A candlelight procession was held in honour of Osuji in CRAN office at Ikeja and his Ijesha residence.