Onochie begins final journey in a blaze of glory

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Pictures from Pastor Austin Okocha’s Facebook Timeline

By Charles Okogene

Indigenes of Adonte led by Diokpa Augustine Nwaokobia, Adonte Development Union , ADU,  (men) repsentatives led by Godwin Adigiwe and women members led by Mrs. Helen Odinigwe, other family members, neighbours in his Pilot Crescent off, Bishop Kale Street, Off Bode Thomas Street , Surulere, Lagos,  colleagues in his former place of work and that of his widow,  members of his Mountain of Fires Miracle Church converged on his residence on October 2, 2020 for his wake keep.


An impressive turn out it was and the officiating pastor used the opportunity to tell all present that there is indeed a beautiful side of death and urged them to grief no more because the deceased, Alex Onochie, is at present enjoying the good side of death where there is no more worries of life.
The programme, which started a bit behind schedule, saw Onochie’s children led by the youngest, Amaka, taking the readings one after the other.
Uche Chibuogwu opened the floodgates of testimonies by relations, neighbours, town folks et al.
In his testimony, Chibogwu told the gathering how Onochie brought him to Lagos as he laboured to fight back tears. Pastor Austin Okocha was not unmindful of how committed Onochie was in his hey day as ADU president, while a school mate of the late Onohie, Ifeanyi Ojei,  regaled us with the story of their days in school, Okpalani Grammar School, Okpanam, Delta State and that he got to know and marry his wife through the recommendation of Onochie.

Peharps, the most moving of all the testimonies was the one by the Chairman, Pilot Crescent 11, Mr. Ayo Olagunju, who came with his wife,

Read him: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,

nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away……Rev.
21:4
“We received with profound sense of loss, but with total submission and gratitude to God for a life well spent, the sad news of your final home call on Thursday, 1st September 2020.
“During your earthly journey, you impacted positively on mankind and left an indelible mark as a conscientious and incorruptible civil servant, dedicated husband and Father, and a committed member of our Crescent till the very end.
“It was also on record that you served the Pilot Crescent Residents Association dutifully as the Secretary. You will be remembered as having contributed immensely towards the development and
sustenance of our members welfare. You were among the team that put their lives online to ensure that houses in the entire Games Village were sold by the Federal Government on owner occupier basis.
“As a family man, you were a loyal and dedicated husband to your wife and a loving father to your children. You brought up your children in the fear of God and place high premium on moral values.
While on planet earth, we observed and we are publicly testifying today, that you were a humble and a thorough-bred professional. You were an agent of peace and unity.
Beloved, Alex Chidi Onochie, we the entire members of Pilot Crescent II family will miss your dearly, but we know by inspiration that you are resting in the bosom of the Lord.
“Though we feel a sense of deep loss by your home call, we are praising God for your life well spent.
“We are comforted by the exhortation of the Holy Bible as read in Romans 14:8 “ For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, o die, we are the Lord’s”
“Some people are separated by distance, some by time, some by decision, and some by fate; but no matter how separated we are, fond memories of you will live in our hearts forever.
Rest in Heaven. May your memory be a blessing. Good night Alex” while his first son, Emeka, gave a brilliant closing remarks

The remains of Onochie who died on  September 1, 2020 on his way to Asaba, will be committed to mother earth on Saturday October 10 in Idumonitsha qrts, Adonte in Delta State.

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