At the funeral service at St. Patrick Cathedral in Awka, were former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, his wife Beatrice; Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and his predecessor, Peter Obi.
Also, former Governor Chris Ngige, representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly; the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh and a House of Representatives member representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia, Uche Ekwunife attended the service.
But Obiano did not acknowledge Obi’s presence when he accorded recognition to the dignitaries.
After calling the names of Ekwueme, Ngige, Umeh and others, the governor merely referred to Obi as the former governor without mentioning his name.
But the congregation looked in the direction of the former governor, shouting Obi’s name (Okwute) before Obiano corrected the mistake.
The service was conducted by Francis Cardinal Arinze with other bishops, including the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, among others.
Bishop Arinze urged the worshippers to live according to the dictates of Christianity, like the late cleric, as he read his autobiography.
Obiano said the education foundation, led by late bishop, trained the poorest and brightest in the state.
The governor stressed that beyond the church, Anambra residents mourned the bishop’s death.
