Ebonyi declares seven-day mourning for Umahi’s mum
Umahi
THE Ebonyi State Government has declared seven-day mourning for late Deaconess Margret Umahi, the mother of the State Governor. She passed on in an Enugu hospital Tuesday afternoon after a brief illness.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, made the declaration yesterday in Abakaliki when members of the State Executive Council paid a condolence visit to Governor Dave Umahi in his temporary lodge along the Ezza Road.
Igwe, who is also a lawyer, said the seven-day mourning period was a mark of respect and honour to the late Deaconess. The deputy governor said all State Executive Council members, chairmen and members of boards and parastatal are expected to converge at the government house chapel from 9am for a one-hour praise and worship service in honour of the deceased for seven days.
Igwe further state that between the hours of 6pm and 7pm, another praise and worship service would hold at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference centre. The programme will continue until the expiration of the seven days.
The deputy governor praised the good qualities of Late Mrs. Umahi and enjoined the 13 caretaker committee chairmen, 64 development centre coordinators and all permanent secretaries in the ministries to replicate it within their jurisdictions.
Igwe, who described the death of late Mrs. Umahi as tragic and unfortunate incident, said that the state did not just lose a virtuous woman but a mother to anyone that encountered her.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Obinna Ogba, the member representing, Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Laz Ogbee, the former Commissioner for Grants and Donor Agency, Fred Udogu, and the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Afikpo South, Eni Uduma Chima, yesterday expressed shock over the death of Mrs. Umahi.
In a telephone interview, Senator Ogba described Mrs. Umahi as the pride of the state and urged the family to bear the irreparable loss. Ogbee and Udogu, who also expressed regrets over the loss, stated that their little encounter with the late Mrs. Umahi was life-touching and memorable as the woman was full of wisdom, energy and fear of God.
Late Mrs. Umahi touched a lot of lives in the state and in Nigeria as a whole. She is a disciplinarian, a God-fearing woman, a philanthropist and one with a heart of compassion. During the electioneering campaign, she prayed fervently for a peaceful and violence-free election. The peace of the state was paramount to her mind until her death,” Oghee said.
Eni, the Afikpo South caretaker committee chairman, described her death as a big blow to the family, the State and the nation, saying that she died when her wise counsel was needed the most.
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7 Comments
When beggars die there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. May her gentle SOUL rest with the Lord, Amen!
My question, is the state money going to be used for the burial?
God bless Nigeria
What nonsense i can’t believe this!what kind of country is this?7 days mourning declared just because it is the Governor’s mother and members of government must assemble everyday for a 1 hour service for 7 days!such hypocrisy by sick sychophants only in Nigeria.Even when the great madiba died there was nothing like a declaration by the government of a mourning period.I just get infuriated by the rubbish i hear in Nigeria.
This is a stupid project. Nigerians are senseless. Funeral ceremonies are retrogressive. Imagine the millions that will be spent in disposing the remains of our dear mother. If she was charitable and loved hard work she will be sad that so much time and productive hours will be wasted. RIP Mom.
The death of a loved one is often a sombre moment, especially when it is that of your dearest mother. That is why
my heart goes out today to the Governor of Ebonyi state and the family of Umahi for the passing of Mrs Umahi. Sadly this feeling of empathy was marred when I read that the Ebonyi state government has declared a seven – day mourning
period in honour of the late Mrs Umahi. The most bizarre and outrageous part of this foot-in-the mouth declaration is
the deputy governor’s directives that all State Executive Council members, chairmen and members of boards and parastatal are expected to converge at the government house chapel from 9am for a one-hour praise and worship
service in honour of the deceased for seven days! I would assume that His Excellency, the Governor himself is aware of, and probably approved of this contemptible directive. If my assumption is correct, then one would be left with no option
than to question the sanity of the government and the planet they are operating from. The governor can, with all respect take a bereavement leave to give his mother a befitting burial. What law gives him the authority to involve all the
above mentioned civil servants and heads of parastatals, and in effect paralyse the functions of the state because of his mother’s passing?
The Deputy Governor who made this outlandish declaration is here referred to as a ‘lawyer’. I am not sure what calibre
of a lawyer that can make this sort sycophantic directives without pausing to consider the politically and social implication thereof. From indications, it is apparent that this government is completely bereft of ideas or has any tangible work to do with their time. The state government has recently gone cap in hand for loans that include a N4.4 billion salary bailout from the Central Bank of Nigeria. This is the fund that would be squandered in paying the over-inflated salaries of the Deputy Governor and his cohorts while they are having a week off to sing praises for the soul of the departed. Doesn’t it make you want to throw-up on the deluded Deputy Governor’s sumptuous office and dare the consequences?
The worst state in the south-east has just shown us all why they are on a par with the north for backwardness.
This is why Nigeria is so backwards. A woman dies and a 7 – day morning period is declared, as well as members of the government to assemble for 7 days for praise and worship, all because she is the mother to the state governor. Where in the constitution gives the governor that privilege? Were there mourning periods for those that died same day with Mrs. Umahi?
It’s about time Nigeria grew up. We are so backwards from other countries, and it is nonsense like this that makes us on the down list of developed countries. No one should be asked to convey for church service for a period of time just to honor the late mother of anyone in the country, no matter their position in the government. The shouldn’t be a 7 – day mourning for the mother of someone just because they are the governor.
The lady in question here is my beloved grandmother whom I loved so much, however, I do not agree with this.
God bless Nigeria!
We will review and take appropriate action.