By Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
The remains of the first Nigerian Chairman/Managing Director of the United African Company Nigeria Limited, Dr. Christopher Abebe, were yesterday laid to rest in Iruekpen, Edo State.
The burial was preceded by a funeral mass at the Stella Maris Catholic Church, Iruekpen, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.Â
In his homily, Bishop of Uromi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, extolled the quality and exemplary life of late Abebe, calling on the congregation and Nigerians to emulate him “as he lived for God.â€
Ogun described the late first Nigerian Chairman/Managing Director of the United African Company as a true soldier of Christ, “whose life has positively influenced the society.â€
First son of the deceased, Mr. John Abebe, thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki for his support, especially in the area of logistics, which accounted for the success of the burial.
He also thanked the former President of Nigeria and an in-law to the family, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for standing with the family at their time of grief.
The late Abebe who died at the age of 99 also served at various times as the pro-chancellor of the University of Benin, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Calabar.
Other dignitaries at the event included former governor of Edo State, Prof. Osarheimen Osunbor, Senator Daisy Danjuma, among others.
