Members of the press corps attached to the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo on Monday held a solemn service in honour of their late colleague, Kingsley Uchegbu, a correspondent attached to the governor’s office, who passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, May 6.
The service, held in an atmosphere of reflection and prayers, was presided over by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, who delivered the welcome remarks.
Speaking during the gathering, Dr. Patrick said the event was organised to pay respect to a friend, brother and colleague whose life impacted many within and outside the Government House press family.
“We already know why we are gathered here, to pay respect to a friend, a brother, a colleague whom we lost. We pray his soul rests in perfect peace. We are here as a family and I wish that same bond continues with us,” he said.
Reflecting on the certainty of life and death, Dr. Patrick noted that death remains the only certainty in life irrespective of status or wealth.
“One thing I have learnt is that there is time to rejoice and time to mourn, and every occasion calls for its own excitement. But the reality in life is that one thing is certain, and that is death. Whether rich, famous or poor, it is certain. We cannot question God,” he added.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic Media, Paul Ezenwa, described the late Uchegbu as a committed and dependable professional whose legacy would continue to inspire those who worked with him.
“This morning is a solemn one for all of us because we should be asking ourselves what place in the hearts of the living we are going to occupy when we leave this earth,” he said.
According to him, the deceased lived a life that positively touched everyone around him.
“I have been in practice with him for about 15 years and worked closely with him for about four years. He was a quiet and gentle man. If you ask who those working in this office are, you cannot mention two persons without mentioning Uche. He was reliable, committed and dedicated. At any point you called him, he would answer. Even when something was difficult, he always found a solution. Let us live lives that will make people speak well of us when we are gone,” he stated.
Delivering the sermon, Government House Chaplain, Apostle Sule Faraday, preached from the books of John 11:25-26 and Hebrews 9:27, urging those present to appreciate God for the impactful life lived by the deceased.
He said the occasion should be seen as a moment of thanksgiving rather than despair.
“It is time to begin to thank God for the life our late brother Kingsley Uchegbu lived. It is a time to thank God that he had a family. Many families have perished together, but here we are gathered to thank God for his life,” the cleric said.
Among dignitaries present at the service were the Executive Assistant to the Governor,Mr Fred Oyabure, Special Adviser on Communication, Strategy and Media Projects, Godswill Inegbe; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bugie Okhuemoi; and Special Adviser on New Media and Visual Communication, Jackson Monday Isangofon, among others.
