Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, his friends and associates, have donated N100 million as Church harvest to St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Mgbuogba Parish, Port Harcourt, in honour of late Sir Edward Chinda.
Chinda, until his death, was the Eze (chief) Nyemenum I of Rumuokwuta, a prominent community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers.
Speaking at the funeral service held at the parish on Saturday, Wike described the deceased octogenarian, who died at 85, as a humble, easy-going, and dependable family pillar.
The minister, who noted his close ties to the late traditional leader through marriage to his aunt, recalled that Chinda was deeply involved in the affairs of his extended family and maintained a vibrant disposition that belied his age.
“There are in-laws, and there are in-laws. When he was alive, there was nothing that affected my family that he would not play a role in.
“In fact, I was surprised when I read that he was 85 years old because you would not know he was up to that age. He was very humble and easy-going,” he said.
Wike recounted his political association with the late Eze Nyemenum I during his run for the chairmanship of Obio/Akpor LGA.
He added that he had spoken with the deceased during his illness and remained hopeful of his recovery until news of his death broke.
Explaining the motivation behind the N100 million donation, the FCT minister said the late monarch had eagerly anticipated participating in the church’s annual harvest thanksgiving to ensure his church group emerged first, a wish cut short by his death.
“On behalf of all of us, our friends, and associates who came here today, and in fulfilment of the harvest our uncle could not participate in, so that his group would take first position and make him happy, we will support the church with N100 million,” Wike said.
He commended the parish for expanding to more than 20 times the capacity he remembered from his last visit over two decades ago.
Earlier in his sermon titled, “Life is Short Compared to Eternity”, the Supervisor and Vicar of the church, Rev. Canon Gideon Genka, reminded the congregation of the fragility and unpredictability of human existence.
Genka urged Christians to live with eternity in view, noting that regardless of longevity, mortal life must eventually come to an end.
He described late Chinda as a distinguished traditional leader, a committed servant of God, and a man of peace whose humility, wisdom, and dedication to the progress of Rumuokwuta and humanity would remain indelible.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the service attracted family members, traditional rulers, clergy, and political associates who gathered to pay their final respects to the community leader.
