The stays of Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Anambra State, have been buried amid tears from different clergymen, relations, and well-wishers.
Okonkwo, who was reportedly murdered by gunmen on December 26, 2024, was buried on Thursday at Our Girl of Assumption Cathedral in Nnewi after a requiem mass.
The deceased, a pharmacist by career, was murdered by his assailants after he was about leaving the premises of the College of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Our Girl of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, the place he labored as a supervisor.
The mass, attended by a whole lot of clergymen and reverend sisters from totally different spiritual congregations, relations, buddies, and well-wishers, was presided over by the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Aguleri, Most Rev. Denis Isizoh, and co-celebrated by the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Jonas-Benson Okoye, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Patrick Eluke.
In his homily, the Vicar Basic of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Monsignor Anichebe Patrick Ezeobata, stated, “Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, who died on the prime of his youth, had already carved out a powerful area of interest for himself and had led an impactful pastoral life earlier than his demise.
“He was a pilgrim on earth. Okonkwo, who was ordained in July 2015, completed his internship as pharmacist in October 2024, and was posted to the College of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Our Girl of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, as supervisor.”
He added that the deceased was barely two months in workplace earlier than he met his demise.
Among the many political class, who attended the funeral have been the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Social gathering, Mr Peter Obi in addition to a former Commissioner for Financial Planning and Finances in Anambra State, Prof. Stella Okunna, amongst others.