By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi; former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Anambra State and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the Paul University Prof. Stella Okunna, among other elites from different parts of Nigeria stormed the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Nnewi on Thursday, January 16 to witness burial ceremony of Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, who was recently murdered by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Anambra State.
It would be recalled that Fr. Okonkwo, a cleric of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, was gunned down on Thursday, December 26, 2024 by unidentified assalaints who attacked him at the Ihiala axis of the Onitsha—Owerri Road.
He was, however, laid to rest at the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Nnewi on Thursday amid tears from hundreds of other priests, reverend sisters, church workers, friends, family members, sympathizers and well-wishers, who gathered to bid him last farewell.
The solemn burial ceremony, which commenced with a requiem mass, was presided over by the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Aguleri, Most Rev. Denis Isizoh, and co-celebrated by the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Jonas-Benson Okoye, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Patrick Eluke.
Sharing his thoughts after witnessing the burial ceremony, the 2023 LP presidential candidate, Mr. Obi, who condoled with the family of the deceased and the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, bemoaned what he described as alarming insecurity confronting the nation.
While recalling how how Fr. Okonkwo was “senselessly killed” by criminal elements, the former Anambra Governor who also recalled his recent encounter with the assassinated priest, further noted that his loss was a blow not just to his family and the Nnewi Diocese but to Nigerians at large.
“Today, I joined the clergy and faithful of the Nnewi Diocese for the solemn burial of Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, Msgr. Donatus Ebubechukwu Ike, and Msgr. Prof. Christopher Ejizu in Nnewi.
“Fr. Tobias Okonkwo’s tragic death remains a painful reminder of the alarming insecurity confronting our nation. Senselessly killed by criminal elements, his loss is a blow not just to his family and the Nnewi Diocese but to all Nigerians committed to a safer and more humane society.
“Fr. Tobias was the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, an institution I have supported and visited annually. During my interaction with him in October 2024, I was deeply moved by his passion for advancing nursing education and his unwavering commitment to improving the health sector. His dedication to enhancing healthcare delivery was remarkable, and his death is a great loss to humanity.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye, and the entire Nnewi Diocese as they mourn these dedicated servants of God. May God grant them, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss, and may the departed rest in perfect peace…,” Obi wrote on his Twitter handle after witnessing the burial.
He also shared his feelings after visiting the kidnapped retired Archbishop Godwin Okpala of the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi, who was recently freed after spending three weeks in kidnappers’ den with his driver.
“I am heartened to see His Grace in high spirits, undeterred by the trauma, and resolute in his belief that, with the right leadership, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and emerge stronger.
“My encounter with Archbishop Okpala strengthens my call for an intensified, decisive battle against insecurity at all levels of government. With unity, commitment, and shared resolve, we can restore peace, protect lives, and secure a brighter future for our nation,” Obi added.
Earlier while addressing the participants during a homily at Fr. Okonkwo’s burial ceremony, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Monsignor Anichebe Patrick Ezeobata, gave a brief on the latter life journey of the deceased priest before the misfortune that befell him.
According to him, Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, who died at the prime of his youth, carved out an impressive niche for himself and led an impactful pastoral life before his death in the hands of the men of the underworld.
“He was a pilgrim on earth, just as all of us here. Okonkwo, who was ordained in July 2015, finished his internship as pharmacist in October 2024, and was posted to the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, as manager.
“He was barely two months in office before he met his death,” the Vicar General recounted with intense emotion.
Reports have it that the 40-year-old priest and pharmacist, Okonkwo, who hailed from Ekwulumili community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State was attacked and murdered by his assailants as he came out from the premises of the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, where he was working as a Manager.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that, with the priest’s body now laid to rest at the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Nnewi, his month’s mind and official family funeral will hold at his home parish, St. Luke Catholic Church, Urueze Ekwulumili, on Friday, January 24; while condolence visits by relatives, friends and well-wishers continue at his family house, Okonkwo’s compound, opposite Urueze Village Hall Ekwulumili, same day.
More photos from the event:
