…AS FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, ASSOCIATES EULOGIZED HIM
By Okosun Dennis
The final journey of the late Henry Emeya Oriere Omondiale to his eternal resting place began at Guobadia Hospital Mortuary, Benin City on the 23rd April, 2025.
Following his death in Benin City on March 5, the late Pa Henry Omondiale was buried in his compound at Obiedu-Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area, Edo State, on the 24th April, 2025.
Friends and families said his death was a tremendous loss to his community, friends, in-laws associates and others whose paths he crossed during his 82 years sojourn on earth.
As a retired Assistant Chief Registrar in the High Court, the late Omondiale lived a life of sincerity, truthfulness blended with a touch of excellent leadership, imbued with kind-heartedness and dedication to the worship of his creator.
The christian-partnered burial was witnessed by the de la creme of the society who had converged on the hospital where his remains were conveyed in a motorcade from Aduwawa in Benin City to Igieduma via Ehor in Uhunmwonde local government; then to Iruekpen, Ekpoma in Esan West local government to Irrua in Esan Central local government before arriving at his compound in Obiedu-Uromi in Esan North East Local Government of Edo state.
After his retirement as a judicial staff in Benin City, he dedicated his life to the worship of God, mentoring his children, great grand children while at the same time, playing a prominent role in various activities of the community.
In his compound, his remains was laid in state for a Vigil Mass on Wednesday, 23rd April 2025.
Service of Song
The Service of Song was held in his compound, officiated by Rev Peter Amadi, Parish Priest, St John Catholic Church, Ivue-Uromi, who described the occasion as a celebration of life at 82 years.
“What we see nowadays is: ‘Gone so soon.’ But when you have someone that attained the age of above 80 years, it gladdens one’s heart,” he added.
He observed that “Death is inevitable end that will come, when it will come, likening death to a thief that comes unexpectedly, unprepared and unannounced, noting that there is no peace anywhere except in death.
He reiterated that we are on a pilgrimage hence we have to prepare for our death anytime.
While emphasizing the importance of maintaining close relationship with communal people especially one’s place of birth, he encouraged them to identify with native people in their places of birth because either through death or other circumstance, we must come back home.
Funeral Service
Exactly 11:15 am, the Presiding Priest, Rev Father Emmanuel Okparacha began the funeral service after the remains had made its triumphant entering into St. Michael Catholic Church, Obiedu Uromi.
In his short funeral sermon, he called on the children not to weep as “We’re here to do a sendoff party for our father and our friend, who had participated in every activity of this church.” Therefore, “let’s be guided that the retirement of a Christian is when he dies,” he observed.
He continued: “The mansion we build means nothing because the grave is the mansion.”
To the family, he pleaded that they should unite and remain steadfast, resolute and indivisible, adding that what their father stood for was unity, togetherness even till death. He warned the children not to disobey their eldest brother but respect him as the father of the house.
Interment
Rev Emmanuel Okparacha, the Assistant Parish, St. Michael Catholic Church, Obiedu-Uromi, at the grave side, blessed the deceased, recited The Lord’s Prayer, before being committed to mother earth in his compound.
In his tribute, the eldest son, Mr Henry Omondiale Jnr spoke glowingly about the father and how he nurtured him and his siblings as responsible men and women in the society today.
“Rest in peace, Dad. We miss you dearly but we take comfort in the knowledge that you are now at peace watching over us with love and pride,” he said.
Mrs Helen Iredia, the eldest daughter, a former banker and a business mogul said of his father: “My hero, my prayer warrior, rest in perfect peace, Amen.
Also, in her tribute, Mrs Akhere Kate Okosun said, “My father was a great man, lovely and caring; he had the fear of God, brought and taught me the way of the Lord. May his Soul rest in peace.
To Mr John, “I will always love and remember him as my father, hero, and legend.
“You were an employer and philanthropist. You showed me the importance of hard work, the value of family. You will forever be remembered. Daddy, rest in peace,” he said.
Omondiale is survived by his wife, Agnes, several children including Mrs Helen Iredia, retired banker and proprietress; Henry Omondiale junior, Michael, Clement, Mrs Okosun Akhere Kate, wife of the Contributing Editor, Nationalwire and People & Power Magazine online, Mrs Odion Ativie, John, Samuel and Paul Omondiale and others.
Late Mr Henry Emeya Oriere Omondiale was born on 1st January, 1943 to the family of Mr Omondiale from Obiedu and Mrs Okukpon from Idumoza from Edo state.
He embraced Christianity despite the traditional worship that dominated during that era.
He had his primary school education at Salvation Army School, Ivue. He proceeded to L.A Modern School where he excelled academically. He later pursued higher education at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) with a degree in Business Administration.
He worked as a judicial staff where he rose to the rank of Assistance Chief Registrar and retired meritoriously.
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