By George Ozalla
Prominent political figures, family members, friends and associates assembled in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, for the burial of Dame Mary Orduah Amaechi, mother of former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi.
The funeral began with a Mass at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ubima, where relatives, political associates, friends and other sympathisers arrived to mourn with the Amaechi family.
Dame Mary died on July 16, 2026, at the age of 89. Amaechi stood with members of his family as the funeral rites began, receiving visitors who came to Ubima for the ceremony.
The Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Patrick Eluke, celebrated the funeral Mass and preached on the theme, “Blessed Are the Peacemakers.”
Eluke urged political leaders to handle disagreements without hatred or violence, saying political differences should not be allowed to become personal conflicts or cause division among the people.
He called on leaders to remember the people they serve and use their positions to promote peace and pursue the common good.
The Bishop also described Dame Mary as kind, generous and God-fearing, saying she raised her children in the Christian faith.
The service attracted several prominent political figures, including the ADC presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; former Senate President David Mark; NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi; former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso; Abia State Governor Alex Otti; former Rivers State Governor Celestine Omehia; former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke; and former Rivers Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru.
Others at the funeral included former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, former Health Minister Chris Ngige, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and former Rivers State Commissioner for Works Dakuku Peterside.
Amaechi’s in-laws, Hon. Dozie Ferdinand Nwankwo, Onye Ndozi and APGA senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, and High Chief Jim Martins Nwabueze, Ichie Akubudike and Chairman of Ozoma Group of Companies, also arrived in Ubima with their respective delegations to mourn with the family.
Atiku, who is Amaechi’s running mate on the ADC 2027 presidential ticket, joined the family and other mourners at the funeral, while the other political leaders spent time with the bereaved family and fellow guests.
At the end of the Mass, the funeral procession moved to the burial site, with family members, friends and other mourners following the remains for the final rites. Dame Mary was interred in Ubima.
After the burial, guests moved to the reception, where a large tent had been set up in an open space to accommodate the crowd.
Tables and chairs were arranged under the tent as food and drinks were served. Guests who had travelled to Ubima remained at the venue, eating, drinking, talking and exchanging greetings.
A live band provided music as the reception continued, with guests relaxing after the solemn church service and burial.
Friends and political associates sat in groups, while members of the Amaechi family moved around receiving visitors. Amaechi also spent time with those who came to sympathise with him, speaking with delegations and individual guests who condoled with the family.
The music continued as food and drinks were served, giving the reception a lively atmosphere. Guests moved between the tables, joined conversations and watched the live band as the afternoon progressed.
Many of those who attended remained at the venue for several hours before beginning their journeys out of Ubima.
As guests gradually departed, family members and close associates remained behind to attend to those still around and receive final visitors.
Later in the evening, heavy rain fell in Ubima, sending those still at the venue under shelter and bringing the day’s funeral activities to a close.
