Former President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, alongside other esteemed Nigerians and members of the international community, has urged African leaders to emulate the virtues of the late elder statesman and former Permanent Secretary in Anambra State Civil Service, Chief Mathias Anohu.
They characterised late Anohu as a man whose life exemplified selfless service, unwavering integrity, peace, and discipline.
These sentiments were expressed during a solemn service of songs held at the expansive National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, where family members, friends, and dignitaries from across the globe gathered to honour the patriarch of the Anohu family from Okija, Anambra State. Attendees encouraged his children to follow in their father’s footsteps.
The service was part of a series of events leading up to the final funeral rites and interment of Chief Anohu, scheduled for May 1 in Okija.
Reflecting on Anohu’s many virtues, Akufo-Addo remarked, “He lived a life of service and integrity; these are matters of relevance for all of us, leaders and the led. For the children, I enjoin them to continue on the path of their father, and uphold the virtues and principles that his life embodied.”
Renowned investment banker and economist, Atedo Peterside, along with Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society in the UK and former Treasurer and Vice President of the World Bank, highlighted that the ceremony served as a poignant tribute to Chief Anohu’s exemplary life. They described him as a man of a clean spirit.
Atedo stated, “You listen to the biography, listen to the tributes that came, you get the feel for the man; you get the feel of somebody who was disciplined, somebody who had integrity, a good family man; somebody who had impressive core values.
“I am happy that today, we are able to celebrate somebody like this with this large crowd because people think anyone can be glorified this way, but that is not true. In some events like this, even when they talk about the person, you will know something is wrong.
“Here, I came across a clean spirit, somebody you would want to emulate, somebody whose core values you want to pass onto your children and grandchildren.”
Oteh remarked that Chief Anohu “personified the kind of person that we should all seek to be” and expressed a heartfelt hope that Nigeria would soon realise its potential as a nation.
In their tributes, the late chief’s first son, Engr. Victor Anohu, and his second son, Hon. Emeka Anohu, a former Member of the House of Representatives, described Chief Anohu as a humble and industrious man who instilled in his children the importance of building quality relationships across different creeds, regions, and tribes.
“Our father was a simple man, a man filled with integrity, humility, and the fear of God. He was a humble man, and we pray to God to help us to keep exhibiting such characters in our lives.
“The presence of international and national personalities here speaks to friendship across the Niger, across national boundaries and religion, which our father taught us,” Hon. Anohu stated.
According to a biography shared by one of his daughters, Chioma, the late Chief Anohu was also a devout Catholic and a distinguished community leader whose life truly embodied his title, Ife Okija, meaning the light of Okija.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Virgy Anohu; his sons, Engr. Victor Anohu and Hon. Emeka Anohu; his daughters Chinelo, Chinwe, Chinenye, and Chioma; as well as his brothers, sisters, and 16 grandchildren.
The event saw attendance from numerous dignitaries across various sectors, including Africa’s foremost entrepreneur and Chair and CEO of PLOT Group of Companies in Ghana, Patricia Poku Diabi; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Chairman of Folawiyo Group, Tunde Folawiyo; Managing Director of Access Bank PLC, Roosevelt Ogbonna; and the Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Rev. Martin Uzoukwu.
