By Ononye VC
On Friday,12th April 2024,all roads led to Nnewichi,the home town of late Sir Barr. Damian Chibuzor Okolo mni(Igiligi Nnewi), where final rites of passage were performed for the peaceful repose of his soul,followed by a burial mass and interment by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Reverend Valerian Okeke.
What played out on that day was typical of what the ancient master story teller,William Shakespeare said in his epic literature,Julius Caeser, that; “When beggars die,there are no comets seen,the heavens themselves blaze forth the deaths of princes”.
And really,the heavens blazed forth for late Sir Damian given the large and colourful gathering of sympathisers.
Nnewichi,a unique and burstling commercial town in Nnewi North local Government Area of Anambra state,hosted hundreds of personalities of diverse backgrounds from across the country in addition to the local sympathisers which included the traditional ruler of the community,Igwe Kenneth Orizu 111, members of the clergy,Papal knights,knights and ladies of St Mulumba,gathered at the St Peter Claver Catholic Church Nnewichi for final obsequies and burial of their late illustrious son, brother and friend,late Sir Damian Okolo.
Immediately after the burial mass,his body was conveyed back home in a colourful long convoy which caused a heavy gridlock along the road.
The rich and colourful display of a magnificent marching band by the funeral undertakers, APAMS,which accompanied the hearse,blaring of horns and trumpets,drums and cymbals,gave the funeral the semblance of royalty and carnival.
To many,it was a celebration of life which the late Sir Damian richly deserved.
Earlier while delivering his homily,the Chancellor, Archdiocese of Onitsha Very Rev Fr Dr Prudentius Emeka Aroh spoke on the inevitability of death,saying that anyone who does not realise that death would one day knock on his door,does not understand the journey of life.
He listed what he named,”Five Secrets of death”,which he said,he saw in the late Sir Damian Okolo when he was alive.According to him,such secrets include, understanding the inevitability of death,death as a misconceived idea that is far away in coming,wrong notion that death is end of life,death as a reflection of our destination and defeat of death by no other person than Jesus Christ.
The Chancellor described the late Sir Damian as a generous man who gave to the less privileged and sought the welfare of priests and also achieved so much for the knights of St Mulumba,the Papal knights as well as made many contributions towards development of the church.
In his closing remarks,the Chief Celebrant, Archbishop Valerian Okeke who was flanked by the Rector of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Onitsha,Monsignor Nwokedi Ezumezu and Rev Fr Benedict Okolo,expressed appreciation to all who gathered for burial of of Sir Damian and prayed for safe return to their various homes.
He also condoled with members of the late Damian Okolo family particularly the wife Lady Uche Okolo,urging them to bear the loss of their father with fortitude and courage.
It was all over for the 73 years earthly journey of late Sir Damian Chibuzor Okolo mni when at exactly 1:12pm,his only son master Chibuike Okolo, activated a lowering device to commit the earthly remains of his dear father to mother earth.
Among the many dignitaries spotted at the burial are,the traditional ruler of Nnewi,Igwe Orizu and his cabinet members,senator Victor Umeh,APGA chieftains Hon Sly Ezeokenwa,Sir Nobert Obi,former Anambra/Enugu/Ebonyi states Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria(MAN) boss,Sir Azubike Okafor,Sir John Odike and Sir Ikem Osanakpo.Others are,Chief Cletus Ibeto,Barr Obi Anizoba,Chief Sir G U Okeke,Papal Knights,the Onitsha Metropolitan Grand Knight Sir Dr Calistus Eneh,the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Knight Sir (Chief) Lachas Mbaegbu,the Noble President of LSM Nigeria,Lady Ngozi Obah,the Onitsha Metropolitan LSM Vice President,Dr (Mrs)Ifeoma Nnaji,Chief Sir T O Chiegboka (Adams)dozens of knights and Ladies of St Mulumba and various professional and cultural groups including the Onitsha Sports Club.
Highlight on the burial was handing over the KSM sword of the late Sir Damian Okolo to his only son master Chibuike Okolo by the Onitsha Metropolitan Grand Knight of the Knights of St Mulumba,Sir Dr Calistus Eneh for him to continue from where his late father stopped.
Another sword was handed over to master Chibuike by the Papal Knights represented by Sir Engr Akpulu,Dame Ngozi Nwanosike(Onitsha Archdiocesan (CWO Director) and other members,to also follow the footsteps of his late father.
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