By Ononye VC
It was tributes galore from members of the clergy and lay faithful as the mortal remains of the revered late Archbishop of Benin City,Most Rev Augustine Obiora Akubeze were laid to rest at the Holy Cross Cathedral Benin City on Thursday, 13 August, 2026.
The week-long rites of passage performed for peaceful repose of Archbishop Akubeze’s soul reached a climax as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke celebrated a vigil Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral,Benin City on Wednesday August 12,2026, before the burial on Thursday,August 13,2026 after a burial Mass at St Paul Catholic Church,Airport Road,Benin City.
This was followed by interment at the Holy Cross Cathedral,Mission Road,Benin City.
The burial Mass was presided over by the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Archbishop of the Diocese of Kaduna,Most Rev Mathew Man-Oso Ndagoso who thereafter committed the remains of the late Archbishop Akubeze to mother earth.
In his homily,Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama,Archbishop of Abuja,preached the need for love,unity and peaceful coexistence,and urged Nigerians to rise above religious,ethnic and geographical divisions.
Archbishop Kaigama described Akubeze as a prophetic voice in the church in Nigeria and beyond and urged mourners to face death with faith, not fear.Preaching on the theme,”The Hope of a Heavenly Home”,Archbishop Kaigama drew from the readings of wisdom 3:1-9, Corinthians 15:51-57 and John11:17-27.
He described death as a messenger rather than an enemy for those rooted in Christ,and said the only true answer to death is faith in Jesus who promises eternal life.
The funeral drew Catholic Cardinals,serving Archbishops,more than 40 Bishops and other senior clergy alongside political leaders,family members and Catholic faithful.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpbholo attended as did the Presidential candidate of NDC,Mr Peter Obi and Akubeze’s close relation Senator Princess Stella Oduah.
