The stays of late Damian Opata, a professor of English and Literary Studies, had been laid to rest in Umuodueze Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.
The stays of Mr Opata, who died on 16 October on the age of 76, had been carried to Umuodueze Public Square Shrine the place traditionalists carried out some burial rites and eventually interred his stays.
Speaking after the burial, his youthful brother, Christian Opata, a professor on the Department of History and International Studies of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), described the demise of his brother as “sudden and shocking”.
“I’m nonetheless shocked and shocked on what occurred on Thursday morning, after his transient sickness of two weeks.
“We are burying him right this moment in adherence to his directive that when he dies his stays shouldn’t be deposited in a mortuary however must be buried the following day.
“It is only God that created him knows why he died now, we lacked the capacity to question God,” he stated.
The first son of the deceased, Chibueze Opata, described the demise of his father as sudden and sudden, including, “Only God who loves him knows why.”
He pledged that the household would maintain his good legacies like honesty, openness, kindness and integrity.
“Yes, my father has died, but l am assuring everyone that we will sustain all his good legacies that endeared him to many people,” he stated.
The President of the Association of Nsukka Professors, Paulinus Ugwoke, stated Mr Opata’s demise shocked the affiliation.
“In the demise of Opata, the affiliation has misplaced an enormous Iroko tree and a purpose getter.
“May God grant his soul eternal rest as well as grant the family members, colleagues, friends and well-wishers the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he stated.
Adaobi Nwoye, Enugu State Chairperson of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), described late Mr Opata as an erudite scholar and literary critic par excellence.
“I am personally pained and devastated by his demise. He was my mentor and friend,” Mr Nwoye stated.
Emmanuel Ezema, the vice-chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Nsukka Local Government Area, stated the socio-cultural group obtained the information of Mr Opata’s demise with shock and unhappiness.
“We didn’t even know he was sick, and yesterday, we heard he has died.
“As the immediate past chairman of the association in Nsukka, he did very well, and we will continue to remember his numerous achievements,” he stated.
Ogbuja Ogbu, the secretary of Nsukka Ezue and South Movement for President Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah for the 2027 General Elections, stated that the 2 organisations he represented had been based by the late Mr Opata.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Renowned scholar Biodun Jeyifo buried in Ibadan
Mr Ogbu stated the demise of Opata had thrown them into deep mourning.
“We solely take solace that our founder lived a worthy life and impacted positively on humanity.
“His sudden demise is painful in our hearts, but only God knows why it should be now,” he stated.
Late Mr Opata, who retired from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) after a few years of meritorious tutorial service, was engaged in group, state and nationwide service earlier than his demise.
(NAN)
Discover extra from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the most recent posts despatched to your electronic mail.
