Ex-Minister laid to rest amidst tributes in Ebonyi

The remains of the former Minister of Police Affairs, Chief Francis Orji have been laid to rest amidst tributes.

The former Minister who served between 1992 and 1993 was buried in his Ichita Ukpai villa hometown, Owutu Edda, Edda local government area of Ebonyi state on Friday afternoon after church service presided by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki, Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu.

Orji who was also former Abia and Imo Deputy Governor died at 89. The burial ceremony was attended by Governor Francis Nwifuru, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, former governors; Marthin Elechi, David Umahi among other dignitaries. In a tribute , the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Nwifuru described late Chief Orji as a seasoned politician who was part of the struggle for the creation of Ebonyi State.

"Today, we are gathered to bid a heroic farewell and salute a patriotic and illustrious son of Ebonyi State, a frontline politician and a revered community leader - His Excellency, Chief Francis Amah Orji, who begins his final journey today." "Only our positive legacies survive after we are no more. Those prints of love, growth and development for humanity in the sands of time, are pointers to how well we have lived. " " ⁠I have often said, that you can take everything out of a man, but you cannot take his legacies away from him. Our father, Late Chief Francis Orji, left tremendous legacies in Ebonyi State and Nigeria at large. In his legacies, he lives forever. For this reason, we are here to pay our last respect to him."

The Governor emphasized that Late Chief Francis Amah Orji lived a sacrificial life, characterised by patriotism, love, and fear of God with a pure passion for excellence. The State Chief Executive assured that Government, will ensure that the legacies of discipline, excellence in service delivery, teamwork, resilience and above all, patriotism, which he was widely known for, will be institutionalized as part of his administration's quest for civil and public service reforms. "It is indeed sad, that the physical presence of Chief Francis Orji will forever be missed, but his legacies will never be forgotten. We will at all times, stick to excellence in all we do as Government. Of course, in constituting our executive council, heads of boards and commissions, this was the compass. He will be sorely missed." The first son of the deceased and former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Blaise Orji said he will miss his father greatly. "What his Excellency the governor said, marks it all and I am sure you heard him clear unless you want me to start shedding tears again ", he said Chairman planning committee of the burial, George Ukpai described the late Orji as a man of compassion, a man with charitable disposition, a man that fought for the common good, a man that cried when the poor wept, a man that touched many lives and a man whose legacies will continue to vibrate in the entire country and the generation to come. Also speaking, the Chairman of Edda local government Council, Chief Chima Ekuma Nkam described the late for patriarch as a man of passion who has completed his quarter, adding that the legacy he lived would continue to vibrate in Ebonyi and Nigeria at Large. he said. Other leaders who attended the burial ceremony included a former Secretary to Old Anambra State, Senator Chris Nwankwo, Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, member representing Afikpo/Edda federal constituency, Iduma Igariwey former Deputy governors of the state, Professor Chigozie Ogu and Dr. Kelechi Igwe, former Ministers among others.