TheCable

Tears flowed freely on Friday when the remains of James Ocholi, former minister of state for labour and employment; Blessing, his wife; and Joshua, his son, were laid to rest in their family home in Abocho, Biraidu district, Dekina local government area of Kogi state.

The three family members died in an auto crash March 6, on the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Speaking at the funeral service, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo described the three of them as “saints called home by the creator”.

He urged Nigerians to imbibe the scriptural injunction that in all circumstances, thanks should be given to God.

Osinbajo said late Ocholi, Blessing and Joshua played their parts in the vineyard of the Lord in diverse manners but all towards the common goal of advancing the kingdom of God.

He emphasized the need to be grateful to God for giving them the grace, noting that although some of the apostles died tragic and painful death, “the scripture says precious in the sight of God is the death of a saint because their death is victory for heaven”.

In his speech, titled: ‘The Veil is Lifted’, Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, described life as a “reality show from which none gets out alive”.

He said mankind had accepted the fact that everyone must die but lamented the horrible circumstances of the Ocholis’ death.

“My dear people, without doubt, this is one harvest of deaths too many for Kogi state,” he said.

“After barely any respite from a similar sorrow in the recent past, Kogi mourns again.”

Bello recalled that the late Ocholi cooperated with him when he was elected governor, adding that they shared a common vision of greatness and unity for the state.

John Ibenu, bishop of Chapel of Freedom International, Lokoja, led other officiating ministers in the funeral service.

He urged Christians to be prepared for the imminent end.

In his homily titled, ‘The Invitation You Could not Resist’, Ibenu appealed to the people to make their ways right with God before the invitation, which could neither be deferred nor resisted.

Some members of the federal executive council, lawyers including senior advocates, judges, friends and family members were among the important personalities that attended the burial of the Ocholis.

Photo credit: Vivian Mary