The Priest of St. John Bosco Catholic Church, Very Rev. Fr. Leonard Biachi, has urged people to reflect on the lessons of life and death rather than dwell only on the pain of losing loved ones, describing death as an inevitable reality whose timing remains unknown.
Fr. Biachi made the call during the Night of Tribute held in honour of the late Ogbueshi Victor Ebube at Benizia Hotel, Asaba, where family members, friends, associates and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the life of the deceased.
In his exhortation, the priest observed that whenever death occurs, it is often accompanied by deep emotions, as families and loved ones express grief through tears, sadness, agony and regret.
According to him, while it is natural for people to repeatedly say they will miss the departed, the more important question should be the message every death leaves behind for those still living.
“We keep saying we will miss the person, but we rarely ask ourselves what lesson we should learn from such an experience and what message God is passing across to us,” he said.
Fr. Biachi stressed that every culture possesses wisdom and traditions that remind humanity of life’s temporary nature and the importance of leaving behind a worthy legacy.
He noted that although death is certain for everyone, no one knows the time it will come, adding that the uncertainty surrounding death should encourage people to live responsibly and always be prepared.
“Death is certain. It will come. What is uncertain is the time it will come, and that is what should remind us to live meaningful lives,” he stated.
Reflecting on his personal relationship with the late Ogbueshi Victor Ebube, the cleric described him as a cheerful, easy-going and pleasure-loving individual who enjoyed life and maintained warm relationships with people.
“My brother was a very pleasurable kind of person. Victor was detached from unnecessary worries. Those of us who grew up with him knew him very well. That joyful spirit was who he was,” Fr. Biachi recalled.
The exhortation resonated with mourners, who paid glowing tributes to the late Ogbueshi Victor Ebube, remembering him as a friendly and sociable man whose life touched many people.
Friends and family described the deceased as described him as a honest person, others described him as been transparent, living for the truth, an education advocate and a lover of the culture of Asaba.
The event witnessed top government officials, family and friends from within and outside the country.
