Hundreds of sympathizers trooped out to honour the service of songs of late Emmanuel Chinasa
Nwogu JP in Lokoja on Monday.
Nwogu, who was born on August 5th 1956 died on August 28 2024 at the age of 68.
He was married to a veteran broadcaster in Kogi State, Mrs Billie Avoyi Nwogu, who is the current Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Print media.
In his sermon, Pastor Gbuyi Olupitan of Christ Embassy Church asserted that there is need for everyone to leave an examplary life on earth adding that serving God pays.
Olupitan argued that late Nwogu fought a good fight on earth, stressing that his families should sustain the legacies he left behind.
While admitting that there is important for Nigerians not to be distracted by worldly things, the clergy opined that each individual on earth will give account to God on the last day.
According to him, “We must all remember that one day we shall leave this world. The question we should ask ourselves is that what would you be remembered for? Is it good or bad. Our late brother has leaved a life that is worthy of emulations. While we console with the family for this irreplaceable loss, we should keep praying that those of us on earth should be remembered for good.
“Everyone must work tirelessly to avoid sin at all cost as it is the hindrance to the spiritual race to eternal life, pointing out that many lost out in the race for eternity due to sin.”
He maintained that the aim of all Christians should be to run the race for eternal life being the ultimate goals for all believers in Christ to pursue.
Olupitan emphasized the need for Christians to make God their dwelling place in order to successfully navigate through life’s challenges.
While expressing the State Government condolences to Mrs Nwogu over the demise of her husband, the Secretary Government of Kogi State Government, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade emphasized that Jesus remains the father to the widow.
Ayoade admonished the bereaved family to hold on to the word of God till their last day on earth, adding that the children should remain steadfast in sustaining the legacies of the deceased.
“On behalf of the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, we commiserate with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Print Media, Mrs Nwogu. We want to let her know that they are in our prayers and we will continue to stand by you.
“As a government, we will definitely support the family. Even the bible tells us that mourn with those that mourns. We are in it together and want to pray that Almighty God will give the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. I met the deceased when we went for pilgrimage. And of course, he is a perfect gentle Man who has contributed to humanity”.
Wife of the deceased, Mrs Nwogu thanked the Kogi State Government for their support through out her trying period.
“My late husband is my best friend, confident and strength. If you have a husband that understands your vision, and support your vision, the sky is the beginning for you. Emmanuel Nwogu is that man who has given me the strength to explore in my career. Not every husband will allow his wife to do journalism because of what is involved.
“The wife will leave the house in the morning and return in the evening, travel for months and return. This man stood by me and encouraged me despite the difficulties. Despite the criticism, my late husband kept saying I will support my wife because I understand her vision. That was the response he gave to those talking about my career as a journalist. Where I found myself today, my story will not be complete without my late husband. He made it possible. He endured everything and was supporting me.
On what she will miss about her late husband, Mrs Nwogu said “He will smiles, jokes. One thing that is special about my husband is that he is the only one that understood the children well. He always go out, buy something for them which I don’t really know how to do. I am the opposite of my husband.
“He knew the size of my shoe, dress, and many more. He will buy me things that will fit me, and when you see it, you will think I bought it for my self. I will miss the gist, jokes and play. I know that my husband is a resting in the blossom of the Lord. When God say it is time, we will see him again”.
Dignitaries at the ceremony were Comrade Adeiza Momoh Jimoh, General Manager, FRCN Lokoja; Mr. Y. J. Itopa, Managing Director, The Graphics Newspaper; Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Prof. Usman Ogbo Salisu, who was represented by the Director, Public to Relations and Protocol, Mrs. Uredo Omale, and members of the Kogi State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, as well as a host of other dignitaries.
The body of late Emmanuel Chinasa Nwogu will be interred on Friday, 12th October, 2024, in his compound at Umuevu, Onicha, Ezenihittie LGA, Mbaise, Imo State, according to the funeral arrangement announced by the family.
Late Mr. Emmanuel Chinasa Nwogu is survived by his wife and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Mrs. Billy Avoyi Nwogu, and children.
