…Ihedioha, Achonu , Okenze Obinna, others condole Him
By Ignatius soroibe
The Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development, South East development commission SEDC, Dr Cliff Ogbede last week Thursday, laid to rest the remains of his late mother, Lolo Regina Nnenna Ogbede (nee Emenike) who was aged 85 years.
The funeral ceremony which almost turned into a carniva, took place at the residence of Chief Augustne Ogbede at Umuekwunne Village in Obiangwu Community of Ngor Okpala LGA, Imo State. While reception was organized at Cliff Ogbede’s country home also at Umuekwunne Obiangwu.
Earlier, a Concelebrated High Mass was held in honour of the departed octogenarian at the St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, Obiangwu presided over by three Catholic Priests from the Archdiocese of Owerri, including Rev Fr Chika Opara the pioneer parish priest of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Obiangwu .
Many diginaties like former Governor of Imo State, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Athan Achonu, , Okenze. S. I .Obinna (Okenze Ngor Okpala), Chief Cyprain Akaolisa -a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State , as well as the Commissioner for Lands, Barr Enyinna Onuegbu, all commiserated with Dr. Ogbede over the demise of his mother.
Rt Hon Ihedioha described the late matriarch of the Ogbede Family as a virtuous woman who lived a fulfilled life marked by service, humility, and devotion to family, church, and community. He enjoined the Ogbede’s to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
The former Imo state governor pointed out that late Lolo Regina’s legacies of sound upbringing, moral values, and faith in God would continue to resonate through her children and generations yet unborn. While Senator Athan Achonu described Lolo Regina Nnenna Ogbede as “A renowned educationist who impacted and groomed many youths who are occuping very strategic positions in the society today.”
In a tribute to his departed mother, Dr Ogbede noted that Mama Regina was “a dedicated teacher whose pupils still remember and respect for her outstanding teaching and leadership acumen.”
Dr Cliff Ogbede expressed appreciation to all those who supported and stood firmly behind the family during the period stressing that their solidarity in the time of trial is a great consolation to the family.
He promised that the family would continue to exemplify the worthy legacies of their mother in both personal and public life, and prayed God to reward the sympathizers for their show of love and kindness.
Meanwhile Dr Cliff Ogbede has assured the good people of the South East geopolitical zone that adequate and even development would soon come to the region when the commission commences the implementation of her critical mandate before February 2026. Chief Ogbede stated this in an interview with newsmen in his residence at Umuekwunne Obiangwu. He stated that the commission has understudied the blueprint of late Dr Michael Opara, adding that it was ready to improve on it.
He pointed out that SEDC was poised for even development of the South East in synergy with all the five governors of the region, who according to him, have shown support to the the commission.
He once again thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the commission.
The funeral also attracted a large gathering of dignitaries from across Imo State and beyond, including political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, friends, and well wishers who came to pay their last respects and identify with the Ogbede family in their moment of grief.
Among those at the burial ceremony were Dr Perry Njoku, Engr Jonathan Okere, Mr Godwin Nwachukwu, Dr Hycinth Emele, His Royal Highness Eze Gab Nwosu and his amiable Wife; Hon Chief Uche Nwosu, Chief Dr,T.O.E Ekechi former board member of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, Executive chairman of Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Hon Chika Ibewe, the councillor representating Obiangwu Ward 10 in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Legislature, Hon Chibuike Agugba, Mr Cosmos Soroibe, Mr Kenneth Opara, among others.
