The remains of James Ocholi, the Minister of state for Labour and Employment, who died in a car accident, were on Friday, laid to rest amidst weeping, wailing and eulogies from family members, friends, colleagues and associates.
Mr. Ocholi was buried alongside his wife, Blessing, and son, Joshua, in their family home in Abocho, Biraidu District, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The three family members died in an auto crash on March 6, on the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
Speaking at the funeral service, the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, described the three deceased family members as “saints called home by the creator”.
He urged Nigerians to imbibe the scriptural injunction that in all circumstances, thanks should be given to God.
Mr. Osinbajo said Mr. Ocholi, Blessing and Joshua played their parts in the vineyard of the Lord in diverse manners but all towards the common goal of advancing the kingdom of God.
He stressed the need to be grateful to God for giving them the grace.
He said although some apostles died a tragic and painful death, “still the scripture says precious in the sight of God is the death of a saint because their death is victory for heaven”.
“Three saints went home on the 6th of March,” he said.
In his speech titled “The Veil is Lifted”, Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, described life as “reality show from which none gets out alive”.
He said mankind had accepted the fact that everyone must die but lamented the horrible circumstances of the Ocholis’ death.
“My dear people, without doubt, this is one harvest of deaths too many for Kogi State.
“After barely any respite from a similar sorrow in the recent past, Kogi mourns again,” he said in reference to the demise of Abubakar Audu on November 22, 2015.
Mr. Bello recalled that the late Mr. Ocholi cooperated with him when he was elected governor, adding that they shared a common vision of greatness and unity for the state.
Bishop John Ibenu of Chapel of Freedom International, Lokoja, who represented Archbishop Sam Amaga of Foundation Faith Church, led other officiating ministers in the funeral service.
He urged Christians to be prepared for the imminent end.
In his homily titled “The Invitation You Could not Resist,” Mr. Ibenu urged the people to make their ways right with God before the invitation, which could neither be deferred nor resisted.
Some members of the Federal Executive Council, lawyers, judges, friends and family members attended the burial.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Friday assured the immediate family of the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Chief James Ocholi, his wife and eldest son who are being buried this weekend of his support.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, said the uprightness and good works of the late minister will continue to speak in favour of the family in particular and the government and people of Kogi State in general.
He urged the family not to see the burial as the end of the road “seeing that the late Ocholi had sufficiently immortalized himself through his courageous and exemplary life style during his brief sojourn on this earthly plane.”
Saraki who has not recovered from the shock resulting from the loss of such a great Nigerian and one of the leaders of the North Central, said: “Ocholi’s life, though brief, was dedicated to the service of God and humanity. This single realization ought to cheer us rather than make us shed tears over his sudden transition to the great beyond.
“Yes, it is difficult not to give way to emotions in circumstances of this nature, but his godly qualities give us hope – a hope that should mitigate our anguish. It is painful that he left us when his services were most needed, but we are comforted that he had proved his mettle as a legal luminary and politician to the satisfaction of all,” Saraki stated.
While praying God to grant the souls of the departed eternal life, he assured his children of his support always.
– NAN
