Dignitaries, Family Pay Emotional Tributes to Chief Mathias Anohu at Service of Songs in Abuja

By Iyojo Ameh

The National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja was filled with solemn reverence on Thursday as family, friends, and dignitaries gathered to pay tribute to the late Chief (Dr.) Mathias Anohu during a Service of Songs. The event marked the beginning of funeral rites for the esteemed statesman, who passed away on January 6, 2025, at the age of 84.

Chief Anohu, a revered public servant and family man, was remembered for his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s development, gender equality, and national unity.

Among the prominent figures who eulogized him was Ms. Arunma Oteh, former Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and an academic at the University of Oxford.

Dr. Virgy Anohu and other members of the family

According to her, “Chief Anohu was an exemplary father and husband who believed in empowering both men and women. He gave equal opportunities to his children, regardless of gender, and supported his wife, Dr. Virgy Anohu, to excel in her professional career.”

She recounted a touching conversation between Chief Anohu and his wife on his last birthday, describing it as a moment filled with love and deep reflections on Nigeria’s future. “He personified integrity and excellence,” Oteh added. “His life should inspire us all to work toward unlocking Nigeria’s full potential.”

Ms. Oteh signing the condolence register

His son, Rt. Hon. Emeka Anohu, also paid an emotional tribute, highlighting his father’s discipline, humility, and deep faith. “He lived by values we all need—integrity, humility, and the fear of God,” he said. “These are principles our leaders today can learn from. He taught us by example, and we pray for the strength to uphold his legacy.”

Speakers at the event also honored Chief Anohu’s role in fostering unity across ethnic and regional divides, particularly between communities on both sides of the Niger River. His distinguished career in public service included serving as Permanent Secretary for Education in Anambra State in 1998 under then-Military Administrator Group Captain Rufai Garba. He later became Commissioner I at the Anambra State Civil Service Commission during Governor Chinweoke Mbadinuju’s tenure.

Chief Anohu is survived by his wife, Dr. Virgy Anohu; sons, Engr. Victor Anohu and Rt. Hon. Emeka Anohu; daughters Chinelo, Chinwe, Chinenye, and Chioma; as well as grandchildren, siblings, and extended family members.

The Service of Songs marked the start of a series of funeral events celebrating the life of a man many described as “ahead of his time” and an “unsung hero” of Nigeria’s civil and family life. As tributes continue to pour in, Chief Anohu’s legacy remains a beacon of integrity, service, and national unity.