CHRISTIAN ABURIME
The atmosphere at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Isuofia, was a poignant blend of somber reflection and triumphant hope as Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, the Isuofia community, among others, gathered for the Pontifical Funeral Mass of their late traditional ruler, Igwe Col. Christopher Moghalu. The ceremony, presided over by His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpalaeke, served as a powerful tribute to a man whose life was defined by service, faith, and the preservation of culture.
Leading the tributes, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, eulogized the late monarch, describing him as an “Iroko” of the community whose eighty-eight years on earth were defined by profound impact rather than mere duration.
“We don’t just live, we live to matter. And when it is all done; it is not how long but how well,” Governor Soludo remarked. Reflecting on the late Igwe’s character, he added, “He was a man of his words—we share that similarity in common. He was a builder of people, community, church, faith, tradition, and culture.”
Governor Soludo particularly highlighted the late Igwe’s unwavering commitment to education, recalling, “What touched me the most was his devotion and commitment to education. When I adopted the Amorji Primary school, Isuofia, he visited me just to pay tribute and appreciate that commitment. It was then he related to me his personal efforts in encouraging people to commit themselves to education.”
Addressing the transition, the Governor offered a message of reassurance to the people of Isuofia: “God brought peace to Isuofia after twenty years, and I assure you we will have this transition in peace. The only way to remember this Iroko is to live up to those things he lived for.”
In his homily earlier, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpalaeke emphasized the Christian perspective on transition, noting, “We don’t mourn as those without hope. Our hope rests in the victory of Christ over death. A baptized child of God journeys to heaven; he doesn’t die.”
The Cardinal lauded the late Igwe for his ability to harmoniously integrate his faith with his traditional role. “The departed traditional ruler shared a faith that did not fear culture. One can preserve our heritage without compromising his faith. He did it very well,” he observed.
Cardinal Okpalaeke further clarified the relationship between the church and traditional institutions: “The church does not seek to annihilate the traditional institution, but complements it. The church and society are not rivals; each group plays a distinct role for the development of human society.”
Addressing the upcoming succession, the Cardinal issued a pastoral appeal: “I call for peace in choosing his successor. Let the process never be a source of hatred. Preserve the peace he cherished; this is the greatest legacy or honour we will pay the late Igwe.”
The funeral also served as a testament to the monarch’s reach beyond his immediate domain. Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, a representative Major General Osita Okoye, emotionally credited the late Colonel for his professional trajectory. “What I am today, he contributed 90 percent. He saw to it that I entered the Nigeria Defence Academy in 1990,” he stated, highlighting the late Igwe’s role as a mentor and nation-builder.
As the community prepares for the formal Ofala ceremony scheduled for January 5, 2027, the overwhelming sentiment remains clear: Isuofia has lost a pillar of peace and progress, but his legacy of devotion to the common good will continue to guide the path forward.
