Otti Eulogizes Late Sir Micah Onyebuchi, Urges Family To Keep His Lamp Burning
By Chuks Onuoha.
Abia State Governor, Dr.Alex Chioma Otti has eulogized the character and good testimonies of late Sir Micah Onyebuchi of Amuzukwu Ibeku, in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, and urged his family to keep to keep his lamp burning.
He made this eulogy while speaking on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the All Saints Methodist church, Amuzukwu, during the memorial service of the late Educationist. He recalled how on October 27th last year, that people gathered at a field in Amuzukwu to bid the educational giant farewell in a funeral service reminiscent of a carnival.
He praised the educational sage for attaining the age of 90 years before death came knocking, adding that these days, obituaries of people who die at the ages of 57, 60, 67 or even less litter the streets, yet Sir Onyebuchi made it to 90 years, which necessitated his being celebrated, instead of mourning.
One year after, we are gathered here again, celebrating and remembering him because of his good character and testimonies and impact of how he touched the lives of many in and outside the church. He thanked the family for recognizing the good life their father lived and for celebrating him even when he is no more.
“The word for you is that he is no more here, he is gone and you are all celebrating yourselves for having a wonderful father who lived his life well. He has left a lamp for you and it your choice to throw the lamp away or keep it burning.
But the family I know which Dee Micah left behind will want to keep the lamp burning, and so I encourage you to maintain the good work”, he advised. Meanwhile, the Onyebuchi family used the occasion to set up an annual scholarships scheme in memory of their late father, who was a season ed Educationist all his life.
Speaking after the event, the first son of the Onyebuchi family, Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi, who is the Chief Medical Director at Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, said that the scholarships will be an annual event, in which two hundred and fifty thousand naira(N250,000) will be given to each beneficiary.  A total number of 12 persons will be given the scholarships each year
The CMD explained that his father had poor and humble background but worked hard to attain enviable height in life. He once benefited from a scholarship to do his master’s degree program and so vowed to give the indigent ones chance in education.
“He was very passionate for paying school fees for bright indigent students, hence we want to continue from where he stopped to make sure that his dream remains alive. It is this legacy that we want to maintain despite his demise”, Prof Onyebuchi explained. The memorial service was attended by who is who in the church in particular and Abia State and Nigeria as well as people from dispora. It was anchored by the Arch Bishop of Umuahia diocese of the church, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, officiated by the Prelate of the Methodist church, Dr Oliver Alliaba. Other officiating Ministers include Arch Bishop of Ana and that of Okigwe, with over ten Bishops in attendance including Bishop Inyang of the evangelism wing of the church. It was also a roll call for politicians who matter in and outside the state. Led by Governor Otti, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon Ginger Onwusibe, Hon Okezie Mmeregini, Hon. Iheanacho Obioma(Chomen) and people, too numerous to mention.