Anenih interred in country home

•Politicians besiege venue with campaign vehicles

Former Chairman Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Anthony Anenih, the Iyasele of Esanland, was yesterday interred at his mausoleum in his country home, at Uromi, Esan North East local government area.

The interment was witnessed by family members and few friends.

A funeral mass held at the St Anthony Catholic Church, Uromi, was well attended by dignitaries and many residents.

Commercial motor-cyclist known as Okada displayed their skills in the streets of Uromi, while candidates of various political parties for next year’s general election besieged the venue with their campaign vehicles and posters.

In his homily, Bishop of the Uromi Diocese, Rev. Father Donatus Ogun, warned political parties against engaging in campaign of calumny.

He wondered who would fit into the shoes of Anenih in Esanland in terms providing the needed leadership.

He described the late? Anenih as good a Christian and man of his word, who spoke of his conviction irrespective of political affiliation.

“He was called Mr. Fix it not because he could solve all problems, but because he believed any problem can be solved if people are ready to shift ground.

“He was a man of integrity who lived by his words. As a Catholic; consistency was? exceptional to him. He was an outstanding politician and mentor, who kept his promises, who believed in giving others opportunity to be.”

Bishop Ogun said it would be difficult to find replacement for Anenih in Esanland, “he was generous to a fault”.

He warned Nigerians and politicians not to make promises they cannot fulfil ?because God will demand account from them.

Speaking on political c?campaigns for 2019 general elections, the Catholic Bishop urged politicians to do their campaign based on issues.

“Nigerians are tired of hearing rubbish, give us something fresh when we go to bed. If you? are hiring a campaign manager, tell us what you want to do to improve our lives,” he said.

Dignitaries that were at the event included Governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, President Muhammadu Buhari represented by Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Chief James Ibori, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Seriake Dickson, Senator Matthew Urhoghide and Prince Joe Okojie.

Others were the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar represented by his running mate, former Governor Peter Obi, Chief Dan Orbih amongst others.

The deceased’s son Mr Tony Anenih Jr, who is the eldest son, said that he was learning more about his father after his death.

The younger Anenih said in his tribute after the funeral rites that his father  was a man he was proud to call his father, “a man he knew too well, but surprisingly learning more about in death.”

He said this was through heart warming anecdotes from people within and outside the country.

“A man who believed that good education was the guaranteed route to a successful life; to him, it was the most important investment.”

President Muhammadu Buhari in his tribute said that the late Anenih’s demise had left a gap in the social and political landscape which would be difficult to fill.

Represented by Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Health, the president said Anenih was an accomplished statesman with a well-earned reputation as a consummate political facilitator.

He also said the deceased was a solver of problems no matter how intractable and a fiercely loyal individual who stayed steadfast to any cause he adopted.

In his tribute, Obaseki said that the late Anenih was a quintessential politician who the state was proud of.

The PDP in the state has said that the only tribute it would give the late Anenih was to keep the party alive in the state.

The Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, also praised Gov. Godwin Obaseki for redefining politics in the state.

He urged Nigerians to use the death of Anenih to learn lessons of keeping to the tradition and culture of respecting leaders and elders.

In his tribute, Ibori, a former governor of Delta State, said Anenih mentored him politically and stood by him during his trials.