Former GM, Editor Graphic Newspaper, Fidel Egwuche laid to rest amidst tears

By Friday Idachaba
Former General Manager, Graphic Newspapers, Kogi State owned weekly tabloid,
Mr Fidel Egwuche, has been laid to rest in his country home, Omabo in Ibaji Local Government Area of the state amidst tears and wailing over his sudden death.

Earlier in a Requiem Mass in his honour at the Arch Angel Gabriel, Michael and Raphael Catholic Church, Gadumo, Lokoja, Rev. Father Rowland Nwakpuda of Abuja Catholic Diocese called on Christians to rededicate their lives to God in Service.

Rev. Fr Nwakpuda urged Christians to leave good legacies that would attract heavenly salvation and societal benefits and as well, be faithful, spiritually guided to make their paths straight.

The cleric noted that late the Egwuche, 68, who died on July 15, 2021, had completed his earthly sojourn but would be remembered by his worthy legacy toward the work of God and lives he impacted in the society.

In his remarks, the Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Anselm Umoren MSP, who led the Bishop of Lokoja Catholic Diocese and 52 other Reverend Fathers to the Funeral Mass acknowledged that late Fidel Egwuche lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.

The Bishop and 52 orher Rev. Fathers were in Lokoja, in solidarity with their colleague, Rev. Stephen Attah Egwuche, son of the late Egwuche stressed the need for every living soul to have the fear of God in their daily activities “to straighten their kingdom paths”.

Receiving the remains of late Journalist and Administrator at Onyedega, headquarters of Ibaji Local Government, the Ejeh and Chairman, Ibaji area Traditional Council of Chiefs, Chief John Egwuemi, described late Egwuche as an ICON who always “bulldoze his way to bring smile to the faces of citizenry.”

Chief Egwuemi appreciated the legacy of late Fidel Egwuche, especially his contributions toward the socio-economic development of Ibaji and Kogi state at large.

Earlier, Chairman of Ibaji Local Government, Hon. Williams Ikojo, pointed out that the legacy left behind by late Egwuche, especially as the first Sole Administrator of the Local Government was unquantifiable “as we always consult him for administrative guidelines.”

The Chairman donated the sum of N150,000 un behalf of the council towards the burial and commended the Central Planning Committee, headed by Dr Jonathan Okpanachi
for its tireless efforts the success of the programme.

Our Correspondent recalls that late Fidel was a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN); News Editor and later Deputy Editor, Sunday Voice Newspapers in Benue state; Editor and GM Graphic Newspapers after the creation of Kogi state in 1991.

Egwuche was the first Sole Administrator of Ibaji local council in 1996, Ex-Official member, Kogi state land allocation committee, Chairman state Action Committee on Aids, Ad-hoc committee member of the state chieftaincy review committee.

He was appointed permanent secretary in 1998 and later appointed special adviser to the governor on economic matters after his retirement from service.

Other appointments were: Special adviser on information, Special adviser on Bilateral and Multilateral relations, and Special adviser on inter party relations respectively.

Egwuche, born November 25, 1953, was buried in his home town Omabo amidst weeping, wailing and freely flowing tears from his six children and wife, Mrs Philomena Egwuche, family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers from all walks of life. (Ends).