At Ichie CIC’s Interment: Clergyman Advises Christians to Prepare for Eternity
BY OGONNAYA UMEHAM & SHARON AKUBOH, ABUJA –A Clergyman, Most Reverend Joseph Etong of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, First Abuja Parish, has advised Christians in the country to prepare for eternity, saying that it is a necessary end of man.
Most Reverend Etong also called on upon the people to prepare for the end time, adding that death is a necessary end for all mortals thus, the need to prepare ahead.
The Man of God, who represented by Rev Chika Utulor, at the funeral service of Late ICHIE Chukwu Idam Chukwu held at his home town in Amaekuma, Amasiri, Ekuma Ubaghala Afikpo, Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, noted that most Christians want to make heaven but none wants to die.
Earlier in his remarks, the National Chairman of Government Employees Forum (AGEF), Mr Eze Joel Obasi described late Ichie Chukwu Idam Chukwu as an educationist, mentor and foremost graduate at Amasiri community and a trail blazer, a teacher par excellence who pioneered as a principal of one of the oldest secondary schools in Abuja.
Speaking in turn, the Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of House of representatives, Mr Chooks Oko while extolling the virtues of Late Ichie Chukwu Idam, urged the children to emulate the legacy of their father in the education sector and thanked God for the good life he lived while on earth.
Addressing the congregation during the commendation Service, former Commissioner in Ebonyi State, Hon Ogbonnaya Ude, said that Late Ichie Idam lived a healthy, worthy life and prayed God to receive his soul while the Ebonyi State Commissioner for tertiary education, Professor Amari Omaka described the demise of Late Idam as a huge loss, adding that he was very magnanimous and a philanthropist.
In his own remarks, HRM Omezue Idam Onya Bassey Ekuma-Ubaghala 111 of Amasiri, Afikpo LGA, Ebonyi State, thanked God for the great Life Ichie Chukwu Idam led and prayed for the repose of his soul while lamenting that Amasiri lost a legend.
Comrade Joy Idam the third child and former Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT, said her father impacted many lives.
In the words of Joy Idam; “I’m a journalist today because of my dad. He gave us all a level playing ground to excel. I will miss him so much.
Also speaking, Mr Ikechukwu Idam Chukwu, the first Son of Late Ichie Chukwu Idam Chukwu, said a vacuum has been created in his life, adding that the shoes his dad left behind are too large for him.
He said; “But, God willing, I will endeavour to continue from where he stopped”.
Ichie Chukwu Idam Chukwu, according to his biography read by the first daughter Mrs Patience Ude Chukwu Odemene, was born to the family of Idam Chukwu Mgbor (SNR) and Madam Udechi Idam Chukwu on 29th November 1939 at Amasiri Afikpo LGA Ebonyi State.
He was a strong pillar of education in the FCT and the longest serving civil servant from Ebonyi State.
He was recognised by those who knew him as a highly intelligent, well read, peace loving, humble and God fearing man. In his life time he was married to three different women at different times; Idam Eze Chukwu, (late) Bassey Ita Chukwu (late) and Florence Omaka Chukwu (late).
Ichie Chukwu is survived by seven children, seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, three sisters, a brother and numerous relatives to mourn him. Among them is Joy Omagha Idam former Assistant Secretary NUJ Abuja Council.
He died on February 21st 2024 after a brief illness at the age of 85years.
Highpoint of the event included dance by each of CIC Children, entertainment and a song Rendition by Ichie Chukwu Idam Chukwu’s first grandchild Sharon Akuboh.
