Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, attended the solemn burial of three esteemed clergy members from the Nnewi Diocese: Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, Msgr. Donatus Ebubechukwu Ike, and Msgr. Prof. Christopher Ejizu. The ceremony took place in Nnewi, where Obi paid tribute to their service and reflected on the tragic loss.
Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, whose untimely death was the result of a senseless act of violence, served as the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala. Obi recounted his visit to the institution in October 2024, where he witnessed Fr. Tobias’s unwavering dedication to advancing nursing education and improving healthcare services. Describing his death as a profound loss to humanity, Obi called attention to the growing insecurity in Nigeria and its devastating impact on families and communities.
Offering his condolences to the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye, and the grieving faithful, Obi urged for collective resilience in the face of these irreplaceable losses.
In addition to attending the burial, Obi visited retired Archbishop Godwin Okpala of the Anglican Communion, who recently regained his freedom after three weeks in captivity. Obi expressed relief at the Archbishop’s recovery and commended his undaunted faith in a better Nigeria, despite the harrowing experience.
These encounters reaffirmed Obi’s call for intensified and decisive efforts to combat insecurity across the nation. He emphasized that with unity, commitment, and responsible leadership, Nigeria could overcome its challenges and secure a brighter future for all.
