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By

Abdul-Kadir Abdullah

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq, and other top government and political leaders on Wednesday attended the vigil Mass for the late Archbishop of Benin Metropolitan See, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Benin City.

The cathedral was filled to capacity as parishioners from the 105 Catholic parishes across the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin gathered to honour the late Archbishop and celebrate his life and service to the church and society.

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, who delivered the homily titled, “Soul Reassuring,” described Akubeze as a leader whose qualities and contributions would be remembered by the church and the people he served.

Martins urged Christians to confront the reality of death and live their lives in readiness for their final encounter with God.

He also called on Christians attending the vigil to use the occasion to examine their lives and reflect on their preparedness for death.

The Archbishop further urged political office holders and other leaders to use the resources entrusted to them to improve the lives of the people, stressing that earthly achievements would have no value after death.

Among those who attended the vigil were the APC Deputy State Chairman in Edo, Sylvester Aigboboh; APC Edo Central Senatorial leader, Gen. Cecil Esekaigbe; Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters and Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Apostle Sule Farade; and former Edo State governor, John Odigie Oyegun

The funeral programme continues on Thursday, Aug. 13, with a funeral Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City.