Eulogies as Hon Emeh buries uncle, Chief Onwuliri

… Prof Viola Onwuliri, Amuzi royal father pour encomiums

Late Chief Onwuliri

It was all eulogies and tributes at Umuokazi Amuzi in Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise locao government area of Imo State on October 6th, 2017  when the remains of late Chief Athanasius Onyekwuo Onwuliri, uncle to Hon Tony Emeh were laid to rest at the age of 86 after a requiem mass at St Jude’s Catholic Church Pro-Cathedral, Amuzi.

The Director of Finance of Mbaise Universal Assembly and former Aboh Mbaise LGA councilor, Hon Tony Emeh in his tribute described his late uncle as “a man with a good heart and a role model”, adding that the late chief Athanasius Onwuliri was “a God-fearing honest man, a peacemaker and an embodiment of wisdom”.

In her own tribute, former federal Minister of Education and Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri said the late Chief Onwuliri was a wonderful father, grandfather and a man of peace.

She revealed that Chief Athanasius took special interest in her late husband and former Vice chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Prof Celestine Onwuliri. “You took special interest in Cele, like you would call him … you ensured that Prof never felt the deprivation of losing his father early. For that I and my children are forever grateful”, she stated.

According to the traditional ruler of Amuzi Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Francis Unamka, late Chief Onwuliri was a man of simplicity, truth and discipline. The royal father, who expressed grief at the passing of the community leader, said he had lots of plans for him.

Late Onwuliri who was the first child of his mother was born on April 12, 1931 to late Nwaokoroakacha and Elizabeth Ekeagwu Onwuliri of Umuokazi Amuzi. He had his education at both the primary and secondary school levels, which includes the Holy Ghost College Owerri.

According to the family, late Nze Ukwu Ome Nneji, had traversed the Niger Delta, Oshogbo, Ilesha, Benin City, Bauchi and Owerri where he worked to take care of his family

He is survived by many siblings, children and grandchildren including Mrs Chizoma Emeh, mother of Hon Tony Emeh of Mbutu Aboh Mbaise local government council.