Buhari, others extol Umahi’s mother at funeral

President Muhammadu Buhari and other prom­inent Nigerians from across political divides at the weekend extolled the virtues of late Deaconess Margaret Umahi, mother of Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi.

The remains of the de­ceased were interred at Umu­naga community in Ohao­zara Local Government Area during a ceremony attended by many Nigerians from all walks of life and from across political divides, includ­ing ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, wife of the imme­diate past President, Patience Jonathan and 16 governors.

There was also the Na­tional Chairman of peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Modu Sherrif, and some for­mer governors.

Buhari, who was repre­sented by the Secretary to the Government of the Fed­eration, Engr Babachir Lawal, said the Federal government had a lot to learn from the life of hard work lived by late Umahi.

He explained such attitude could help Nigeria tackle its current economic and securi­ty challenges, noting that the deceased as a peasant farmer tackled and conquered the menace of poverty in her family through hard work and perseverance.

He added that through hard work she trained her children and was able to pro­duce personalities such as a state governor, Army Major-General, a traditional ruler, an accountant, lawyer and many others.

He said they were witness­es to these feats achieved by the late Deaconess at a time when the country is faced with economic and security challenges. Obasanjo in his remarks described late Deaconess Umahi as a great ‘uniter’ of the family, the people, com­munity and the entire state.

He said that even as the woman had been eulogized for her achievements while alive, she had done more, having also united both the opposition and ruling politi­cal parties in Nigeria as a re­sult of her death.

The Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari represented by the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Gimbia Dogara who thanked the people of Ebonyi State for being behind their governor noted that the gov­ernor’s mother left legacies that would remain fresh in the minds of the people.