Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Friday, paid his last respect to the late elder statesman and former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia, describing him as a “legendary figure whose life impacted many”.
Governor Mbah spoke at the funeral mass at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Ngwo, which was superintended by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Most Reverend Callistus Onaga.
According to him, “Sir Dubem Onyia was quite exemplary; a man whose light shone on all those that encountered him. There is no doubt that the void that his exit has created will be very difficult to fill. But I will urge us to find solace in the impactful life that he had lived. His life was inspiring, and he inspired a lot of us. So, we would hold the family very tight in our prayers. I will also implore everyone to remember that it is God who gives, and it is also Him that takes.”
He urged his family, relations, and friends to find solace in the hope of eternal life both for Chief Onyia and all the saints departed.
In his homily, Very Rev Fr Franklin Eze described the late Chief Onyia as a man who etched his name in the sands of time politically, religiously, and socially, stressing that the difference between heroes like him and villains were the selflessness and sacrifices of the former and the selfishness of the latter.
The funeral mass also had in attendance many dignitaries, including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi; former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo; former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu; former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu; and the Senate Minority Whip, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District, Senator Osita Ngwu.
