BENIN CITY – Members of thePress Corps attached to Edo State Government House on Monday held a solemn service in honour of their late colleague, Kingsley Uchegbu, an ITV/Radio correspondent attached to the Governor’s Office, who died after a brief illness on Wednesday, May 6.
The service, marked by prayers and emotional tributes, was presided over by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Patrick Ebojele.
Speaking during the gathering, Dr Patrick described the late Uchegbu as a friend, brother and colleague whose life positively impacted many within and outside the Government House Press Corps.
“We already know why we are gathered here, to pay respect to a friend, a brother and a colleague who we lost. We pray his soul rests in perfect peace. We are here as a family and I wish that same bond continues with us,” he said.
Reflecting on the certainty of life and death, he noted that death remains inevitable irrespective of status or wealth.
“There is time to rejoice and time to mourn, and every occasion calls for its own excitement. But the reality in life is that one thing is certain, and that is death. Whether rich, famous or poor, it is certain. We cannot question God,” he added.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic Media, Paul Ezenwa, described the deceased as a committed and dependable professional whose legacy would continue to inspire colleagues and associates.
“This morning is a solemn one for all of us because we should be asking ourselves what place in the hearts of the living we are going to occupy when we leave this earth,” he said.
Ezenwa, who said he had known and worked closely with the late journalist for about 15 years, recalled Uchegbu as a quiet, gentle and dedicated man who was always willing to provide solutions.
“If you ask who those working in this office are, you cannot mention two persons without mentioning Uche. He was reliable, committed and dedicated. At any point you called him, he would answer. Even when something was difficult, he always found a solution. Let us live lives that will make people speak well of us when we are gone,” he stated.
Delivering the sermon, Government House Chaplain, Apostle Sule Faraday, preached from the books of John 11:25-26 and Hebrews 9:27, urging those present to appreciate God for the impactful life lived by the deceased.
He described the occasion as a moment of thanksgiving, rather than despair.
“It is time to begin to thank God for the life our late brother, Kingsley Uchegbu lived. It is a time to thank God that he had a family. Many families have perished together, but here we are gathered to thank God for his life,” the cleric said.
Among dignitaries present at the service were the Executive Assistant to the Governor, Mr Fred Oyabure; Special Adviser on Communication, Strategy and Media Projects, Godswill Inegbe; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bugie Okhuemoi and Special Adviser on New Media and Visual Communication, Jackson Monday Isangofon
