Follow Us on Google
Nigeria’s political heavyweights, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential hopeful Peter Obi, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu and former Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkiruka Onyejeocha, have paid glowing tribute to Pa Lawrence Ukachukwu Ifoh, father of the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh.
Pa Ifoh, a businessman, community leader and committed Christian, was laid to rest on Friday at Mbala Isuochi in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. He died at the age of 91.
The dignitaries joined members of the Ifoh family, political associates, friends and community leaders to honour the late patriarch, whose life was celebrated for his integrity, service to humanity, faith and commitment to his family and community.
In his condolence message, Vice President Shettima described Pa Ifoh as a man who exemplified godly virtues and left behind a worthy legacy for his children.
Shettima said the deceased’s success in business was driven by “acumen, diligence, honesty and forthrightness,” adding that his life offered an example of the values needed to build a peaceful and stable society.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Pa Ifoh as a man of “quiet strength and enduring faith,” saying he remained a beacon of love, discipline and wisdom throughout his 91 years.
According to Atiku, the deceased nurtured generations through selfless devotion and left behind a legacy of integrity, hard work and compassion.
He told the Ifoh family that while his death was painful, his life was also worth celebrating because he “lived well, loved deeply and has gone to rest in eternal peace.”
Nigerian Democratic Congress 2027 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, also condoled with the family, praying that God grant Pa Ifoh eternal rest and give the family the strength to bear his loss.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said the true measure of a man was not simply the number of years he lived but the values he imparted, lives he touched and legacy he left behind.
Other News
Kalu said the tributes at the funeral showed that Pa Ifoh’s influence extended beyond his immediate family and that his memory would continue to be cherished by those who knew him.
Also present was former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who described the death of Pa Ifoh as a major loss to the Ifoh family, the church and the wider Umuobasi Autonomous Community.
Onyejeocha said Pa Ifoh’s Christian faith and the impact he made on people throughout his lifetime would remain part of his enduring legacy.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, was represented at the ceremony by the party’s Abia State governorship candidate, Chief Ceekay Igara, who attended with a large contingent of party faithful.
Igara described Pa Ifoh as a man of enduring impact, wisdom and community service, stressing that leadership was not limited to political activities but also required standing with people in moments of joy and grief.
“Leadership is about being with the people in good times and in difficult times,” he said.
In his homily, Venerable Stanley Anyanwu of St. Michael’s Anglican Church urged mourners to reflect on the legacy they would leave behind, describing Pa Ifoh’s life of service, humility and devotion to God as worthy of emulation.
He challenged the congregation to live lives that would continue to speak for them after death, stressing that a person’s legacy remained a lasting testimony to the values he or she upheld while alive.
