Governor Francis Nwifuru, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, former governors; Marthin Elechi and David Umahi were among the prominent leaders of Ebonyi State that attended the burial of a former Minister of Police Affairs and former Abia and Imo Deputy Governor, Chief Francis Orji who died at 89.
Orji who was one of the foremost founding fathers of Ebonyi State, was interred in his Ichita Ukpai villa hometown, Owutu Edda, Edda local government area of the state on Friday afternoon after church service presided by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki, Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu.
Governor Francis Nwifuru in his tribute, described him as a patriotic and illustrious son of Ebonyi State, an upright politician and revered community leader who would be greatly missed.
He urged his family, relatives and well-wishers to emulate the legacies the late elder statesman.
“Only our positive legacies survive after we are no more. I have said it many times that you can take everything out of a man but you can’t take away his legacies.
“Our father, His Excellency, Chief Francis Orji left tremendous legacies in Ebonyi State and Nigeria at large.
“His legacies will live forever. For this reason, we are here to pay our last respect to him.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, late Chief Francis Ama Orji lived a sacrificial life that thrived by patriotism, love, fear of God and humanity with a pure passion for excellence. He met wonderful people in his lifetime and made many friends around the world”, Nwifuru stated.
The first son of the deceased and former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Blaise Orji said he will miss his father greatly.
“What his Excellency the governor said, marks it all and I am sure you heard him clear unless you want me to start shedding tears again “, he said
Chairman planning committee of the burial, George Ukpai described the late Orji as a man of compassion, a man with charitable disposition, a man that fought for the common good, a man that cried when the poor wept, a man that touched many lives and a man whose legacies will continue to vibrate in the entire country and the generation to come.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Edda local government Council, Chief Chima Ekuma Nkam described the late Minister for Police Affairs as a man of passion who has completed his quarter, adding that the legacy he lived would continue to vibrate in Ebonyi and Nigeria at Large. he said.