By Francis Sadhere
Ex-husband of Senator Stella Oduah, Lt. Col. Satchie Emmanuel Etoromi (Rtd.), has urged the ex-aviation minister to return his late son to him now in Warri, Delta State for burial.
Chief Etoromi speaking to newsmen in Warri shortly after sending a powerful delegation to his royal majesty, Igwe D. O. Oduah, the Igwe of Akili Ozizor, Ogbaru in Anambra State, expressed sadness over the death of his son and how he was treated by the Senator.
In his letter to the royal father titled, “Appeal To Intercede To Ensure Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah Brings My Son, Maxwell Chinedu Obiechina Wereyesigha Toritseju Etoromi To Me In Warri For Burial,” the bereaved father said he read about the death of their 28 years old son in the newspapers without being informed by his ex-wife.
The letter reads, “His Royal Highness Igwe Oduah 1, betrothed Stella Oduah to me on 18th November 1984 in Akili Ozizor. We married on the 16th of December 1984 in His Highness`s Palace in Akili Ozizor. After the payment of dowry and exchange of gifts, we were taken to Nde-Mili where we performed the final rites.
“I am surprised to see in the internet stories that my son MAXWELL OMABUWA TEMISAREN OBIECHINA WEREYESIGHA TORITSEJU CHINEDU ETOROMI who Stella delivered for us on 14th March 1988 at 05.00 hour in St Mary`s Hospital Ugboroke Warri is dead.
“Up till now Stella has not told me my son died in her custody. There is rumour that my son will be buried in Akili Ozizor.
“THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AT ALL. My son must be brought to me in Warri for internment.”
The letter which was copied to Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, The Arch-Bishop of Onitsha, and the Parish Priest, Father, Donald Uzoh of Sacred Heart Parish, added that “Stella should also bring back EYITUOYO FELIX KENNETH ORITSETIMEYIN IKECHUKWU ETOROMI who was delivered on 1st August 1989 at 0 5.30 hour in St Mary`s Hospital Ugboroke Warri whom she took away from our home over twenty years ago.”
Chief Etoromi explained to the monarch that the stories needed not be told now, but his grief at Omabuwa`s transition was too much to bear, hence he is is reacting this way.
It would be recalled that Akili Ozizor,the quiet country home of Nigeria’s former Aviation minister and presently the Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial Zone,Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, on Monday witnessed an unusual heavy vehicular and human movement when sympathisers,friends and dignitaries from across Anambra state rallied for vigil mass for the peaceful repose of the soul of late master Maxwell Chinedu, son of Senator Oduah who died last Friday at the age of 28.
The Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev Valerian Okeke presided over the mass with other four priests concelebrating.
The Archbishop condoled with the entire family and described the death of Chinedu as a big trial moment for the family and urged them not to mourn as people without faith.
According to the Archbishop,it is not the age one lived that matters but what one achieved in his life time.
In his homily,the Episcopal Vicar of Dunukofia Region,Onitsha Archdiocese,Very Rev Fr Theophilus Odukwe likened the death of Chinedu to that of the Biblical John the Baptist whose life was cut short at a young age,a situation which he said faith had ordained.
Fr Odukwe pointed out that in many cases and particularly in history,many achievers in history concluded their earthly journeys early in life adding that God in his infinite wisdom called the late Chinedu home after concluding his earthly assignment.
He drew analogy on the vanity of life when he pointed out that neither wealth,power or money can give life but that God almighty gives life and takes as he wishes.
One of those who arrived early for the mass are the former Secretary to the Federal Government,Chief Anyim Pius Anyim,Anambra State PDP chairman,Chief Ken Emeakayi,former Onitsha South Local government Chairman,Chief Ejidike, the Chief of Staff,Princess Stella Oduah Foundation,Princess Nwaka Ononuju,Director of Stella Oduah Campaign Organisation,Chief Pandola Okwuosa,and many others.
