Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti (left), and former Imo State Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, exchange pleasantries at the funeral.
OWERRI, IMO — It was a gathering of political heavyweights, former office holders, religious leaders and traditional rulers in Umuopara Obetiti, Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, as dignitaries attended the funeral of Chief Mrs Christiana Opara, mother of former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Prof. John Kennedy Opara.
Chief Mrs Opara, who died on May 6, 2026, was 83.
The NCPC had described her as a fulfilled woman who made contributions to the service of God and humanity.
The funeral service, held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Umuopara Obetiti, attracted former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti; Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed; Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri; and former Imo State Governor Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed (left), former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel (middle), and former Imo State Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (right), at the funeral.
Also at the ceremony were former President of the Senate, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON; former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel; former Cross River State Governor Prof. Ben Ayade; Imo State Deputy Governor Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru; and Ebonyi State Deputy Governor Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, who represented Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
Ihedioha condoled with Prof. Opara and the entire Opara family, describing the deceased as a woman whose life reflected faith, service and good character.
The funeral also brought together prominent Christian leaders, including Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Abuja Ecclesiastical Province; Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara; Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion; Bishop Chamberlain Ogunedo of the Anglican Diocese of Mbaise; and Apostle Joshua Selman.
Traditional rulers at the ceremony included HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, former Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman of the Imo State Elders Council, as well as HRH Eze Reginald Amadi.
The gathering offered family members, friends, political associates, religious leaders and other well-wishers an opportunity to pay their final respects to the late matriarch before her interment.
Prof. Opara, who served as the pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCPC, is also Chairman of CSS Global Integrated Farms.
His mother’s death was acknowledged by the current NCPC Executive Secretary, Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, during a condolence visit to the family in Abuja in May.
