Encomiums as Bishop Okafor Journeys Home

By Abuchi  IFESINACHI, AWKA
Tuesday 7 October, 2014 was the day the entire Catholic Faithful, well wishers both in and outside Anambra State assembled at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka to pay their last respect to the late Emeritus Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Simon Akwali Okafor who died on 29th August, 2014, at the age of 81 years.
The burial which witnessed who is who in Nigeria had over 3000 crowd who thronged the arena to have last glimpse of the late Ifitedunu born icon whom many regarded as a man of many parts and with a large heart showered commendation upon commendation on him.
In the words of the His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze (former prefect of Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Vatican City, Rome), who presided over the mass described late Bishop Okafor as a man who shown like a million stars and a great servant of God even as he urged all to pray for the quick repose of soul.
Sharing the Cardinal’s view the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor described Bishop Okafor as a man with a large heart, good listener and a friend of all. He called on the public spirited individual to support and honour the great bishop by donating generously to his education foundation for the training of the poorest and brightest.
As for the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Hilary Paul Odili Okeke described bishop Okafor as a great man, humble, simple, generous, peaceful and had all things that you can expect from a man of God in abundance.
As for the Executive Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano, the late Bishop Okafor was a source of inspiration to many and lover of education adding that as a child the late bishop always visited his parents house and each time he visited, he usually asked questions like ‘what is your grade in school?,’ Obiano said.
For Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu (Secretary General Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja) Bishop Okafor was a selfless pastor, a renowned teacher and workaholic individual who would stop at nothing until result is achieved.
In the words of the Director of Fides Communications, Very Rev. Msgr. Jerome Ndubuisi Madueke, said he was a man of integrity, father of all, compassionate leader noting that the late bishop was able to keep all together and a man who took delight in alms giving.
As for the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu Igwe Dr. Emeka Iluno he described the late bishop as a lover of his town Ifitedunu and his pillars of support saying that he doesn’t like seeing people suffered and he would go to any length to put smiles on faces of people around him.
Describing the bishop, the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Rt. Rev. Alexander Ibezim (Phd) said he was a teachers’ teacher, accommodating and lover of peace.
For her part, the Provost, Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe (NOCOEN) and former Commissioner for Women’s Affairs Anambra State, Hon. Dr. (Mrs.) Cordelia Ego Uzoezie said the late bishop Okafor was her senior colleague in the then Anambra State College of Education and described him as a philosopher, educationist per excellence noting that he mobilized people both young and old to acquire the knowledge and he love teaching the students.