Archbishop Okeke,Bishop Isizoh,Anambra Speaker,knights pay tribute to late Sir (Hon)Anthony Ezechinwoye as his remains were buried

By Ononye VC
The Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province,Most Reverend Valerian Maduka Okeke,the Bishop of Aguleri Diocese Most Rev Denis Isizoh and the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly,Rt Hon Somtochukwu Udeze have paid glowing tribute to the late Sir ( Hon)Ezechinwoye during a burial mass celebrated at the St Albert the Great Parish Oraukwu before his remains were buried on Friday 24th May 2024.
Archbishop Okeke who spoke through the Rector of St Pius X Seminary, Akwu-Ukwu,Very Rev Fr Dr Celestine Umeh,lamented that the Archdiocese has lost a committed and honest benefactor who contributed in training of priests in the Archdiocese.
According to the Archbishop,the late Sir (Hon)Ezechinwoye though a politician was a decent and devoted individual who deployed his resources for welfare of the church and training of priests.Part of the Archbishop’s written tribute said,”He was in every respect,a devoted Christian who lived out his vocation as demanded of a Christian and who supported the church as evident in his benefaction on All Hallows Seminary,Onitsha,and St Pius X Seminary, Akwu-Ukwu.
According to Fr Umeh,the Archbishop directed that seminarians play vital role in his burial to honour their benefactor.
He described Sir Ezechinwoye as a “father of seminarians”, a foundation member of the friends of St Pius X Seminary Akwu-Ukwu and also an active member of the Friends of All Hallows Seminary,Onitsha.
His good deeds he said,will definitely follow him to heaven.
On his own part,the Bishop of Aguleri Diocese,Most Rev Denis Isizoh represented by his Chancellor,Very Rev Fr Innocent Acho Egbunike,acknowledged the positive contributions of Sir Ezechinwoye and his wife,Lady(Hon) Veronica Nwanneka Ezechinwoye to the church and the less privileged.He pointed out that through his pharmaceutical company,Sir Ezechinwoye donated drugs to the seminaries and touched the lives of the less privileged in many positive ways.
Also,the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly,Hon Somtochukwu Udeze described the late Hon Ezechinwoye as a gentleman whose contributions to the development of the state can never be erased.
Dozens of catholic priests which included Monsignor Godwin Okolo attended the burial mass as well as an Anglican clergy,Venerable Ude Ezika.
Also,dozens of knights and ladies of St Mulumba from across various Subordinate councils came to pay tribute to their fallen member.