Remains Of Chief Chris Ukah Laid To Rest Amid Eulogies

CHUKA UBAH

Seasoned Safety & Security Expert, Chief Chris Igbojionu Ukah, was yesterday Friday 29th October, 2021, laid to rest at his Country Home, Umuatu, Nnarambia, Ahiara Mbaise, Imo State, amid eulogies.

Chief Ukah, who died in May after a brief illness, began the journey to his final resting place with a stopover at the Palace of the Traditional ruler of Nnarambia, Ahiara Mbaise, HRH Eze Dr. Pius C. Onyekwere, for the final rites as a title holder with gun salute.

From there, the motorcade left for his maternal home where some rites were also performed. Thereafter, his remains were received by the Ogbedeneto Age Grade at their age grade office for rites of passage accorded their members also with gun salute. 

Having rounded up the final rites, the Ogbedeneto Age Grade then escorted the motorcade to the waiting sober reception by family, friends, classmates, associates, the Traditional ruler’s cabinet and the vibrant Nnarambia youths at his Country Home.

As a respected cabinet member, the Traditional Ruler’s cabinet declared that the funeral ceremonies have duly been authorised to continue after his remains were received by his first son, Engr. Chinedu Ukah and a representative of the larger Onyenakeya Family, Chief Bartho Onyenakeya, with gun salute. 

People present then had the opportunity to pay their last respect as his family members led others to file past him for the very last time.

After the lying-in-state at his Country Home, the remains of Chief Chris Ukah was received at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Nnarambia, for the Funeral Mass.

In the course of the Requiem Mass, the Officiating Priest reminded all present about the ephemeral nature of life and the need for all to do good while still alive as that is what counts in the beyond eventually. He eulogised Chief Chris Ukah for living a good life and asked the family to be consoled by the testimonies and outpouring of love by people he had affected their lives.
His classmates at Sacred Heart Seminary, Port Harcourt, also sang to his honour before the Requiem Mass was rounded by the Officiating Priest.

Immediately after the Funeral Mass, the motorcade moved back to Chief Chris Ukah’s Country Home at Umuatu, Nnarambia, Ahiara Mbaise, for the last lap of the final burial rites and prayers by the Officiating Priest.

After prayers and sprinkling of the Holy Water, his body was then lowered to his final resting place and the priest led the dust-to-dust ceremony followed by his immediate family, siblings, representative of the larger Onyenakeya Family, his maternal home and few others before the grave was eventually covered.

After the interment, his children danced to the historic Ese traditional music founded by Prof Adibe, celebrating their father while greeting and thanking the people for their presence and support.

Speaking about Chief Chris Ukah, his first son, Engr. Chinedu Ukah, who said he could not find the right words to express how much he missed his father, poured encomiums that he was a great man and the huge crowd the funeral attracted was a testimonial to the good man he was.

While thanking God for the life of Chief Chris Ukah, one of his friends, Desmond C. Ibeh, spoke glowingly about his amiable personality. He said he is proud to be identified with him as a friend over the years. He said he was not surprised by the huge crowd at the funeral and the outpouring of love from all and sundry. He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of Chief Ukah while asking the Almighty to deeply console his family.

Another friend, Joe Ehioma, who anchored the funeral programme, hinted about their closeness over the decades even as members of the Ogbedeneto Age Grade. He said they will miss his resourcefulness and brilliant articulation in different matters not just within the age grade but the larger Ahiara community. He prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Chief Chris Igbojionu Ukah was born into the family of Late Mr. Hyacinth Ukanwa Onyenakeya and Mrs. Priscilla Onugo Ukanwa Onyenakeya in 1949 and was the first child in a family of six children made up of three males and three females. A graduate of Theatre Arts from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Chief Ukah made a huge mark in the Nigerian Aviation industry with Okada Airline before becoming a Safety and Security expert.