Tributes as Dame Patricia Anenih is Laid to Rest

Prominent Nigerians including top politicians, captains of industries, academia and personalities from other sectors of the economy yesterday converged on Uromi, the country home of former chairman, board of trustees of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, as he bade farewell to his late wife, Dame Patricia Anenih.

Leading the guests at the Requiem Mass held at Saint Anthony Catholic Cathedral Uromi, Esan North-east Local Government Area of Edo state were former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; former Governors of Delta State, Chief James Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; and Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Also present were Senators Bananas Gemade, Clifford Ordia and Matthew Urhoghide, Binta Garba; former Senator Odion Ugbesia, Hon. Cairo Ojougbo, Deputy National Chairman, Modu-Sheriff faction of the PDP; and members of the Federal House and State Assemblies.

Delivering a homily at a Requiem Mass officiated by the Archbishop of Benin Catholic Metropolitan Sea, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, the Bishop of Auchi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia admonished Christians to live a worthy life so that on the day they are being buried the preacher would not struggle to look for what to say about them.

According to him, “We who are alive should work hard so that good things can be said about us. We should live a good life so that the preacher on the day of our funeral will not struggle to look for what to say about us.”

Bishop Dunia who extolled the virtues of late Dame Anenih, described her as a good woman who strived to ensure a peaceful home for the family she left behind, adding that the peaceful nature of the deceased was what endeared her not only to her immediate family, but also to her entire environment.

The Bishop further noted that these qualities of late Mrs. Anenih prompted the Papacy to confer on her, Lady of St. Sylvester (an Associate member of the Papal Knight of St. Sylvester), a honour usually bestowed on people because of their dedication to the church.