Wike, other dignitaries pay tributes to late Sir Fidelis Odili  

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has described late Sir (Chief) Fidelis Obi Odili as a man who lived an enviable life of humility and related with everybody no matter their social status.

Governor Wike, who was accompanied by his wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, made the observation while giving his tribute at the liturgy of songs and evening of tributes, organised in honour of Sir Fidelis Obi Odili.

The deceased, who was the elder brother of former Governor of Rivers State,  Dr. Peter Odili, was also the Nzeobi of Ndoni, and had died at the age of 82.

The liturgy of songs and evening of tributes held on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at the Corpus Christi Cathedral in Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike narrated how he secured the instant goodwill of  Sir Fidelis Obi Odili in 1999, while he was waiting to be cleared to see Dr Peter Odili, who was then Governor -elect.

According to him, the moment he introduced himself as the Obio-Akpor chairmanship candidate, Sir Fidelis Odili directed the security personnel at the gate to let him in.

“‘He told the security,  open the gate for him.’ I was shocked  because it was our first time of meeting.”

Governor Wike also noted the strength of faith that Chief Fidelis Obi Odili exercised in God when his wife experienced delay in having children for him.

The governor said because God eventually gave him children,  the former governor’s elder brother decided to devote his life serving God without relenting, and giving to humanity and the church generously.

According to Governor Wike, the life of giving and philanthropy is ingrained in the Odili family because the former Governor,  Dr. Odili also demonstrates such virtue effortlessly.

The governor announced the  donation of  N50 million to the Corpus Christi Cathedral in recognition of the selfless, Godly service that Sir  Fidelis Obi Odili had rendered, and also to support the church.

Former governor of the State, Dr. Peter Odili said he had just been hit with the reality of the fact that his elder brother had passed on to eternity, owing to the several good things that have been said about him.

Such reality, he noted,  has enveloped him with the feeling of loneliness, but his confidence lies in the fact that God is with him and the family his brother had left behind.

Earlier, while giving the homily, the former Cathedral administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Kabari exhorted on the reality of the christian hope that is pivoted on forgiveness of sin, resurrection of the dead in Christ and life everlasting.

According to him, it is such hope that assures Christians that they can  live right with God while on earthly sojourn.

He advised Christian parents to continually teach their children the beauty of such godly living so that they can hold onto the virtue of faith in God and look to the beautiful future of life on earth and eternity with God.

In his tribute, former governor of the state, Sir, Celestine Omehia said Sir Fidelis Obi Odili was a quiet natured gentleman, who lived a refined life with dignity.

Omehia,  recalled that when he left office as governor, he put a call to Dr. Odili and was connected to the deceased who eventually provided his family  accommodation.

According to him,  the former governor’s brother prayed with his entire family daily and inculcated Catholicism in his home.

Speaking of the contributions of the  deceased to the Catholic Church, Justice Peter Agumagu remarked that the deceased was instrumental to the building of the Corpus Christi Cathedral and the only chapel located inside the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre (prison).

According to him, Fidelis Obi Odili was a patron to all the associations in the Cathedral  and provided his house always as venue to all end of year fellowships.

First son of the deceased,  Ogechukwu Joel Odili spoke of his father as a dear friend who lit up the lives of people around him, not only of the family and immediate community ,but across tribes.

He boasted of choosing no other than his late father over and again, because of the many valuable lessons of life he had learned from him, which included prudence, perseverance and hard work.