NCPC boss’ father dies at 81

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC John Kennedy Opara lost his father, Engr. Paulinus Opara.
This was contained in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Head of media, NCPC, Celestine Ogugua yesterday in Abuja.
Late Engr. Paulinus Opara died recently in the State House Clinic, Abuja after a brief illness.
The decease who was a devoted Christian and an accomplished businessman died at the age of 81.
He will be buried on 8th August, 2014 at his residence, Umuopara Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State with a funeral
mass at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Umuopapra Nguru. Giving the sermon, at the requiem mass organised in honour of the late Opara at the church of Assumption, Asokoro in Abuja at the weekend, the Parish Priest, Rev. Father Anthony Achigbo urged everybody to be prepared for death at all time.
Speaking to newsmen after the mass, the son of the deceased who is the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC John Kennedy Opara advised parents to exemplary life for their children to emulate.
Opara described his father as a man who believed in the course of Nigeria, adding that as an ex-soldier, he believed in discipline and accountability, which he left behind as legacy for the children.
Going by his biography, as a brave soldier, and a distinguished Commando Commander of the defunct Biafra Army, his combatant exploits and battle-field activities endeared him to the top echelon of the Army.
Late opera got married in 1970, Miss Christiana Nwachinaemere Onuoha of Umu Anuma Nguru Mbaise as the marriage union yielded desirous fruits –three boys and three girls, to the admiration of their relations and communities.
As a practicing catholic, Nze Engr. Opara was a member of the Charismatic Renewal Society. As a traditional Leader and an apostle of democracy, his community crowned him “Enyioha I” of Obo Etiti, Nguru Mbaise with extended frontiers, while the wife whom he uniquely called OHEREM received the Chieftaincy Title of “Obetiti, Nguru”.
He is survived by his beloved wife, children, ground children and relatives.