By Peace Udugba
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on Friday joined the people of Isuofia and other dignitaries at the Pontifical Funeral Mass for the late traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Lt. Col. Christopher Moghalu (Rtd.), urging residents to preserve the peace and values the monarch stood for.
The funeral service, held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Isuofia, was officiated by His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpalaeke, who described the late monarch as a man who successfully combined Christian faith with traditional leadership.
Paying tribute, Governor Soludo described the late Igwe as an “Iroko” whose 88 years of life were marked by remarkable service, integrity and dedication to community development.
“We don’t just live, we live to matter. And when it is all done, it is not how long but how well,” the governor said, noting that the late monarch was a man of integrity who devoted his life to building people, the community, the Church, tradition and culture.
Soludo also praised the monarch’s passion for education, recalling how he personally commended the governor for adopting Amorji Primary School in Isuofia and shared his own efforts to promote education within the community.
The governor assured residents that the transition to a new traditional ruler would be peaceful, saying, “God brought peace to Isuofia after 20 years, and I assure you we will have this transition in peace. The best way to honour this Iroko is to live by the values he upheld.”
In his homily, Cardinal Okpalaeke reminded mourners that Christians grieve with hope because of Christ’s victory over death, stressing that the late monarch demonstrated that faith and culture can coexist.
“The Church does not seek to destroy traditional institutions but complements them. Both have important roles in building society,” the Cardinal said.
He also appealed to the people of Isuofia to ensure a peaceful selection of the late monarch’s successor, urging them not to allow the process to create division or conflict.
A representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Osita Okoye, also paid tribute, revealing that the late monarch played a crucial role in his military career.
“What I am today, he contributed 90 per cent. He ensured I gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1990,” he said.
The late Igwe Christopher Moghalu is widely remembered for his contributions to peace, education, community development and cultural preservation.
The community is expected to hold the formal Ofala ceremony in his honour on January 5, 2027.
