Former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, and former Electoral Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Philips Umeadi, were among mourners at the funeral rites held in Abuja for art enthusiast, Mrs. Jane Ihuoma Odigie.
Many were pained by her hasty departure; they were, however, consoled by testimonies to the effect that she did not just live a pious life; she was also affable, humane and generous.
The mother of three and wife of Abuja-based businessman and Chief Executive Officer, Bedding Holdings Limited, Chief (Dr.) Sylvester Odigie, succumbed to cancer on November 4 at the age of 40 after battling the ailment for five years.
The funeral rites began on December 5 with a service-of-songs held at Holy Trinity Church, Maitama and ended the next day with her interment at the Gudu Cemetery, Abuja.
The interment was preceded by a requiem mass held earlier in the day at the Maitama church where the officiating priest, Reverend Father Justin Onyemaechi, reminded all that death was inevitable.
“Even though our dear sister has passed on at a tender age, it is not a death in vain, but a death that merits reward. From all testimonies, it is obvious she lived a good life and that everyone loved her. This is a clarion call to all of us here to always be prepared and move closer to God. We never know when the time will come,” he said.
Some of her beautifully created paintings adorned a page of the brochure containing events schedule. She was a graduate of Graphic Arts from the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
As the priest brought the mass to a close, the pallbearers moved the brown coffin into a hearse parked by the church’s entrance. And in no time, Mrs Odigie commenced the last lap of her final journey as the hearse moved out of the church premises, and headed for the Gudu Cemetery.
At the grave side, Rev. Onyemaechi said some prayers. But as her remains were being lowered into the grave, and the deceased’s little children performed the dust-to-dust rite, many succumbed to emotion and wept.
Mrs. Nwangwu, the deceased’s mother, who is in her early 60s, wept uncontrollably as she watched her first child being interred.
Also in attendance were the Editor-in-Chief, The Nation newspapers, Victor Ifijeh; Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Marvel Akpoyibo; former Managing Director of the now defunct Fortune Bank, Fidelis Tilije; and Austin Odili.
The widower described her wife as a wonderful person and a loving companion who had left a void no one could fill.
“My dear wife was not only a wonderful wife, but she was a meticulous housekeeper and homemaker. She was a cheerful, friendly person who made many friends. She seldom criticized any person. Instead, she preferred to refer to their good qualities.
“She was the soul and heart of honesty. She would never shade the truth no matter what consequences. Everyone loved her. She was special, very special. She carried a very special charm and friendly personality that so easily endeared her to people. Even while she was undergoing treatment in Germany, she made both young and old friends. Most importantly, she loved her church, and was faithful to her allotted task,” he said.
