By Ononye VC
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke on Monday,15th May,2025 buried the remains of late Rev Fr Michael Esotu after a burial Mass at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity,Onitsha.
He was assisted in the Mass by the Bishop of Aguleri Diocese,Most Rev Dennis Chidi Isizoh.Many other priests,religious,students,members of the Knights of St John International,Basilica Commandery,the CWO Archdiocesan team and many other groups were also present.
In his opening remarks before the Mass proper,the Archbishop, Most Rev Valerian Okeke gave thanks to God for the good life of late Fr Esotu describing him as a “committed school principal and consummate pastor”.
In his homily,Rev Fr Charles Anene described the late Fr Esotu as “humility personified and a workaholic”.
According fr Anene,he learnt humility from fr Esotu,and urged his fellow priests to remain steadfast in humility since “Obedience was better than sacrifice”.
On a humorous note,fr Anene warned the faithful who live in sin and disobedience saying,”If you don’t live your life well,when you want to die,evil spirits will be happy waiting to devour the person instead of going to heaven,therefore,it is better to live welll because you don’t know what will happen to you in the next world”.
He recalled how fr Esotu worked at the Education Commission of the Archdiocese and also as Principal of St Charles College and Vice Principal Mater Amabilis Secondary School among others, where he made indelible marks.
Delivering a vote of thanks,Chancellor of the Archdiocese Rev Fr Prudentius Aroh thanked Archbishop Okeke for providing the enabling resources to cater for fr Esotu.He also thanked Fr Christopher Ifem for looking after the late priest until his last moment and prayed that God will reward him.
Fr Aroh thanked the Esotu family for cooperating with the Archdiocese during the funeral arrangement .
Others who were commended by the Chancellor are,the chairman of the Archdiocesan funeral committee,Monsignor Theophilus Odukwe,the CEO of Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha,Fr Izunna Okonkwo.
Some notable groups and individuals present during the burial Mass are,Professor Fidelis Okafor,the Director of CWO Archdiocese of Onitsha Dame Dr Ngozi Nwanosike and Sir Azubike Okafor.Old boys association of St Charles College,Onitsha were also present among other groups.
A funeral oration written by the Onitsha Archdiocesan Education Secretary Rev Fr Paschal Onwugbenu was read at the graveside of the late Fr Esotu.
Late Rev Fr Esotu was born on Sunday July 21,1940 in Utu in Nnewi South local Govt Area of Anambra State.He was ordained priest on April 28,1973 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral(now Basilica).
The Archbishop lowered remains of fr Esotu into the grave at exactly 12:32pm at the Archdiocesan cemetery.
May his soul rest in peace.
