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 the necessary end of man.
Most Reverend Joseph Etong who was represented by Rev Chika Utulor at the funeral service of Late ICHIE Chukwu Idam Chukwu in Ebonyi State said death is a necessary end to all mortals, therefore, christians need to prepare for it .
He gave the advice in a sermon he preached 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.
However he encouraged them to prepare for the end time, adding that most christians want to make heaven but nobody wants to die.
Earlier in his remarks, the National Chairman 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 brazer, a teacher par excellence who pioneered as a principal in one of the oldest secondary school in Abuja.
Senior Legislative Aide, to the Speaker of House of representatives, Mr Chooks Oko while extolling the good virtues of Late Ichie Chukwu Idam urged the children to emulate the legacy of their father in the education sector. He however thanked God for the good life he lived while on earth.
Addressing the congregation during the commendation Service, former Commissioner of Ebonyi State, Mr Ogbonnaya Ude explained that he lived a healthy worthy life and prayed God to receive his soul while the Ebonyi State Commissioner for tertiary education, Professor Amari Omaka described his demise as a huge loss stressing that he was very magnanimous and a philanthropist.
HRM Omezue Idam Onya Bassey Ekuma-Ubaghala 111 of Amasiri, Afikpo LGA, Ebonyi State. (Amasiri is the third largest community in Ebonyi State, next to Afikpo and Abakaliki in that order, thanked God for the great Life Ichie Chukwu Idam Chukwu 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, said her father impacted many lives. “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.
According to Mr Ikechukwu Idam Chukwu, the first Son of Late Ichie Chukwu Idam Chukwu, “a vacuum has been created in my life, the shoes he left behind are too large for me, 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 7 children, 7 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, 3 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 age 85.
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.
