- Cardinal Arinze,Peter Obi,others mourn,pay tribute
By Ononye VC
It was a gathering of personalities,knights of the church,organisations,relatives and societies as the burial mass of late Sir Samuel Obidile was celebrated at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity,Onitsha on Thursday.
The burial mass was presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha who concelebrated with the bishop of Aguleri diocese,Most Rev Denis Isizoh and over 100 priests from Onitsha Archdiocese and beyond.
While delivering his homily,the Bishop of Aguleri diocese Most Denis Isizoh said it was a difficult and emotional assignment bestowed on him to speak about the life of late Sir Samuel Obidile who he knew years back as a seminarian in 1971.
According to Bishop Isizoh,the late Sir Obidile was very well trusted as a Confidential Secretary serving from the then Archbishop Francis Arinze (now Cardinal), Archbishops Ezeanya,Obiefuna and the incumbent, Archbishop Valerian Okeke and was not known to have divulged the secret or documents of the church given the nature of his job.
Bishop Isizoh pointed out that,it was a special grace from God that Sir Obidile exceeded the biblical age of 70 and returned to God at 82 years,adding that Sir Sam never played with his faith and prepared very well for his death.
Other prominent personalities who paid special tribute to late Sir Obidile are,Francis Cardinal Arinze who described the deceased as a noble, trustworthy and efficient worker,a great gentleman and a respected family head.
In his condolence message,the Archbishop of Onitsha Most Rev Valerian Okeke,said that the late Sam Obidile surrendered himself to God such that he served God with all his zeal and commitment and devoted his life to authentic christian ideal.
According to the Archbishop,”The faith he shared within the Christian community testifies his undaunted commitment to God and love of his neighbor”.
Former Governor of Anambra State ,Mr Peter Obi commiserated with the Obidile family noting that the death of a loved one was painful.
Others whose tribute were received by the family include the Apostolic Nuncio to Czechoslovakia most Rev Thaddeus Okolo,Catholic Bishop of Nnewi diocese,Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye,Msgr Hypolite Adigwe,Chancellor of Onitsha Archdiocese Very Rev Fr Emeka Aroh,the Vicar General of the Archdiocese Very Rev Fr Johnbosco Okafor,Papal knights and medalists,knights and ladies of St Mulumba.
Others are Chief Mrs V V I Okoye,Dame Dr Ngozi Nwanosike(CWO Director General).
A funeral oration was read on behalf of the family by the eldest son,Mr Ceaser Sam Chimezie Obidile after a vote of thanks by Rev Fr Emmanuel Anayo Obidile to everyone who attended the funeral and made it successful.
