The remains of Chief Felix Mgbada, one of the foremost founding fathers of Ebonyi, were on Friday laid to rest in his country home, Okposhi in Ezza North Local Government Area.
Mgbada, an erstwhile Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Abakaliki Branch, and PDP stalwart, died at 73.
In a speech at the burial ceremony, Gov. Francis Nwifuru, advised the family to emulate the good legacies of their father.
“You have to emulate his good work and legacies and pray for his soul to rest in peace,” Nwifuru, represented by the Speaker, House of Assembly, Mr Moses Oduwa, said.
The current NBA Chairman, Mr Chigozie Nwankwor, described the late elder statesman as “a bridge builder, who impacted immensely to the judicial system.
”We are here today to mourn with the family.
“The message to them is to take heart and pray God to accept his soul in heaven,” Nwankwor said.
Mr Augustinee Nwankwagu, who served as NBA Secretary under Mgbada, described him as a ”man of many parts”, especially in the judiciary.
”We have gathered to mourn him because he was a good man.
“When he was the NBA chairman, I was his secretary and we worked very closely like a family.
“I encourage the family to continue to pray and sustain his legacies,” Nwankwagu said.
Also, Mr Chukwuka Odom, NBA Chairman, Onueke Branch, said that the deceased “led the bar to the Promised Land during his days” and urged the family to sustain his legacies.
Top government functionaries and prominent Ebonyi politicians, including former Gov. Martin Elechi and immediate past Deputy Gov. Kelechi Igwe, attended the ceremony. (NAN)