It was a harvest of tributes and accolades by relatives, friends and associates of late renowned columnist, Pini Jason Onyegbadue, bade him final goodbye.
The solemn ceremony which started at the St Andrew’s Anglican Church Obizi Ezinihitte, in Mbaise Council Area of Imo State, was attended by dignitaries and close friends of the late social critic, including for Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, one time Military Governor of old Imo State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Chris Asoluka among others.
In his sermon, the officiating Priest, Ven Chris Ukabiala, described the late Jason as a man of virtue who worked for the advancement of human freedom and justice.
He said that he lived a good life that should be emulated by his children, family and friends.
The Priest advised the children to bear the loss of their father with fortitude and hope, urging them to sustain the ideals of freedom, hard work and knowledge, which their father treasured during his life time.
Also speaking, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, noted that the ace columnist lived an exemplary life that will continue to be remembered with fond memories.
He observed that the best way to remember the late frontline Journalist is to do “our best in whatever human endeavour we find ourselves”.
Ihedioha further noted that Pini dedicated his life to service to humanity, adding that, “he was one of the few who will never see anything wrong and keep quiet. He was meticulous and we will all miss him”.
In his speech, Ikedi Ohakim, insisted that Pini Jason was not dead but lives on in the mind of the people and will continuously be remembered by all men of good conscience.
According to him, “Pini was fearless, he never feared Ibrahim Babangida or Mohammed Abacha, he spoke for the people at the risk of his personal safety and comfort”.
Narrating how he met the late columnist during the early days of his administration as Imo State Governor, Ohakim, disclosed that, “when I met Pini Jason in a hotel in Abuja, I invited him to work with us, he said he will not accept the position of a Commissioner but that of Adviser with a proviso that any day I fail to heed to his advice, he will quit. But he never quit, we have been together ever since until his death”.
Concluding on a philosophical note, Ohakim said, “Pini is not dead, people like him don’t die, he was in the same level with Aristotle, he was a great man and he lives on”.
Ndubuisi Kanu, said that the late Pini Jason will be remembered for his contributions towards the building of a truly free Nigeria.
He said that he spoke for the people and will continue to be a voice for the oppressed and marginalized, “he was a great Ibo son and a true Nigeria who fought doggedly for a free Nigeria ”.
