Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State on Thursday in Awka again warned that he will enforce State Burial laws as well as Chieftaincy laws because they were made for the good of the society.
Soludo spoke at St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Awka during the requiem mass for Rev. Fr. Professor Stephen Chukwujekwu, resident priest in Nawgu in Dunukofia local council from where he taught at Anambra State University, Igbariam.
After condoling the family of Chukwujekwu for the loss of the Reverend Father who he described as a brother, friend and colleague he commended the Bishop Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor for
complying with the state’s burial law.
Soludo also applauded the growing awareness and compliance with the burial law among Anambra citizens.
The burial law prohibited expensive burials and Soludo said more care should be focused on the living rather than the dead.
He announced the distribution of booklets containing the law’s full details to all communities and emphasized its strict enforcement.
It will be recalled that Bishop Ezeokafor actually sponsored the Bill for the enactment of the burial law after he observed extravagant spending during burials.
Soludo emphasized the importance of respecting laws, stating that without obedience, even religious principles like the Ten Commandments would be moot.
He also condemned the sale of chieftaincy titles by traditional rulers to individuals with questionable wealth, citing the negative impact on younger generations’ perception of success.
To combat this, Soludo declared that henceforth, traditional rulers must seek government approval and demonstrate merit before conferring chieftaincy titles.
One traditional ruler has already been suspended for running foul of the law.
Earlier, Rev. Fr. Eugene Anyowai in his homily reminded listeners of their ultimate return to God and the importance of living upright lives like the late Rev. Fr. Chukwujekwu, who he described as a meticulous and faithful servant of God.
The funeral mass was conducted by Bishop Ezeokafor and attended by prominent figures among whom were APGA National Chairman Barr Sly Ezeokenwa, Senator Victor Umeh, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, former Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, Monseigneurs, Reverend Fathers, Reverend Sisters, Traditional Rulers among others#
