Ebonyi won’t spend a dime on mum’s burial next year, says Umahi

Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, at the weekend revealed that the remains of his late mother, Deaconess Margaret Umahi, would be buried in March next year. He, however, added that not a dime belonging to the state government would be spent on the funeral of her late mother.

Umahi made the revelation in Abakaliki at an inter-denominational praise and worship service in honour of his late mother, where he also advised public officer holders, especially local government caretaker committee chairmen and coordinators, desirous of giving him gifts, not to use public funds.

“I want to be quoted and I want it to be on record because of evil people. Mama will be given a befitting burial, but the State Government’s one naira will not go into it. If you give me a gift, make sure it is not government money,” the governor warned.

“The Lord has blessed the family with enough to eat. So whatever a good mother will get, our mother will get. So the local government chairmen and coordinators take note: If you do otherwise, I will wash my hands off.”

The governor, who had received, political associates, friends and well-wishers at his Uburu country home, said the Umahi  family had met and  was  ready to give their matriarch one of the best burials ever to be witnessed  in the South East.

Former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, members of the House of Representatives from the state, and other public officers paid a condolence visit on the governor.

Others were the13 local government caretaker chairmen and 64 coordinators of development centeres in the state, the leadership of the Ishiagu Community Development  Union  led by Chief Stanley Anyim, the state chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,  led by Chief Silas Okoro, the Nigeria Union of Journalists  correspondent chapel led by  Jacob Ogodo and the zonal secretary, Mr. Kenneth Ofoma.

Expressing his condolence, the former governor, Chief Ohakim, described  the late Deaconess Umahi as a fulfilled woman whose sojourn on earth  brought good tidings, peace, unity and progress  to the Umahi  family, Ebonyi State and the entire Igbo race.

He said it was not in doubt that Deaconess Umahi lived a good life as it is evident on the life and personality of Governor  Umahi and the rest of her children.

Ohakim was in company with the Chairman,South -East Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Cletus Ilomuanya; the  Secretary,Sir Sopuruchukwu Nwafor;  and the Igwe of Umunya in Anambra State, HRM Kris Onyekwuluje,  prayed God to give the  Umahi family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The former Imo State governor who noted that   “even outsiders knew that Mrs. Umahi was a very good woman, “  described  Governor Umahi as a “fantastic human being, one of the  pillars of  the  PDP and democracy,  an embodiment of love, hard work,  intellectualism and development.”

He told the governor that he was sure “that t God will not leave” him alone. Other groups also eulogised the virtues of the late Deaconess Umahi.

Umahi said he was humbled by the testimonies being poured out on his mother, whom he described as a very kind woman, passionate, loving and a peace maker, who taught them how to forgive, and have faith in the Lord.

Umahi said, although his mother was 84, she looked 65 and was active, restive, and always fasted and prayed to seek the face of God.

He said he took solace in the fact that his “mother died a saint.’