Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for next year’s general election, Peter Obi, Governor Monday Okpebholo, and Cardinal John Onaiyekan were among the dignitaries who attended the funeral Mass of the late Archbishop of the Benin Catholic Diocese, Augustine Obiora Akubeze.
The late Akubeze died last month while on holiday in the United States of America.
The funeral Mass caused heavy traffic along Airport Road, where St Paul Catholic Church, the venue of the funeral service, is located.
Catholic faithful from across the state and beyond attended the Mass.
In an interview, Obi said that the late Akubeze lived a sacrificial life and urged Nigerians to emulate him.
He said, ‘Archbishop Akubeze lived an exceptional life. He lived his life for others. His life was sacrificial. Nigerians should learn from him. May the God who called him grant his soul eternal rest.’
Pope Leo XIV, whose condolence message was delivered through the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, recalled Archbishop Akubeze’s years of dedication to his episcopal ministry and his commitment as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
Pope Leo commended Akubeze’s pastoral initiatives.
Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of the Archdiocese of Kaduna, described Akubeze as an epitome of humility, commitment and generosity that enabled the late cleric to succeed.
‘It is with a profound sense of loss, yet with hope of the resurrection, that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria received the news of the death of Most Reverend Augustine Obiora Akubeze, who was a man of extraordinary virtue-humble yet fearless, gentle yet unwavering in his commitment to truth and justice. Above all, he was a man of deep interior life, sustained by constant prayer and reflection. His spiritual depth was the wellspring from which he drew strength to labour tirelessly for the flock entrusted to his care.’
‘He was grounded in his intimate communion with the Lord. He was a man of humble and gentle mien. We will not forget in a hurry how he steered the ship of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria as its President. His tenure was marked by deep commitment to unity, and his wise counsel has continued to shape the life of the Conference to date.
‘His heart was genuinely and unreservedly given to those he served. He was also known for his gift for patiently listening to the problems of both the clergy and the laity. At the same time, his generosity was unmatched, and he will be remembered as a man who proclaimed the Gospel of generosity.’
Governor Okpebholo, who donated two Toyota Coaster buses to the Archdiocese, said the late cleric carried out his calling with dedication.
He said the state gathered to bid farewell to a cleric who devoted his life to serving God and the people entrusted to his care.
‘We thank God for the gift of his life, his priestly ministry, and his service to the Church and to God’s people. He carried out his calling with dedication, faith, courage, and love for the people entrusted to his care.
‘Though we mourn his passing, we also give thanks for the legacy he leaves behind, the lives he touched, the people he encouraged, and the work he did for the growth of the Church.
‘As we commit his soul into the hands of our merciful God, may the Lord grant him eternal rest and welcome him into His heavenly kingdom.’
Akubeze, who died at the age of 69, was ordained a Catholic priest in 1987 and became Archbishop of Benin City in 2011.