By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
The remains of one of the founding fathers of Abia, Dr Emmanuel Adaelu, was on Wednesday interred at his country home, Abayi in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of the state.
Adaelu, who died recently at the age of 92, was also one of the foremost industrialists in the state as he was the Chairman of Chemlap Nigeria Limited, Aba.
In a speech, the Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Chief Emmanuel Emeruwa described the demise of Adaelu as a “monumental loss to the people of Ngwa land”.
Emeruwa said that the deceased was committed to projecting the course of the people of Abia, which was evident through the various ventures he championed.
He said that the late Adaelu lived a life of service and positively impacted the lives of people that encountered him.
“I commiserate with the family and urge them to carry on with the legacy of their patriarch,” Emeruwa said.
In a remark, the former Governor of Abia, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, said that the deceased lived a life of courage, leadership and service to God.
Ikpeazu said that the deceased during his lifetime taught lots of life lessons through his lifestyle.
“We are here to celebrate the life and times of late Elder Adaelu.
“I pray that the life of the deceased will encourage us to be committed to God’s work.
“I pray that the death of late Adaelu will encourage us to promote peace, unity and love in our society,”he said.
Also, an elder statesman, Chief Theo Nkire, said that the life of the deceased served as a motivation to people who admired him and desired to make an impact in the society.
“I am here to bid farewell to my friend of over half a century.
“I urge everyone to be inspired to greater service to our communities and church just like Adaelu did during his lifetime,” Nkire said.
In a sermon titled “a life of legacy and faith, the President of West Central African Division of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Prof. Robert Ossei-Bonsu, described the deceased as a community builder.
Ossei-Bonsu said that the deceased lived a life which exemplified godly character and commitment to service.
“He was a servant-leader and a community builder and he lived a life that emphasised the need to serve God in generosity.
“We celebrate his legacy of leadership and generosity and preserve the legacy he left,” he said
Ossei-Bonsu urged the family and community of the deceased to preserve his legacy.
In a tribute on behalf of the family, the grand daughter of the deceased, Miss Sharon Adaelu, said that their patriarch was an iconic leader, a devoted Christian and a community builder.
Adaelu said that their patriarch lived his life fighting the cause of those who were marginalised in the society.
The event was attended by the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, among other dignitaries.
