Tuesday October 6, 2026 will remain evergreen in the life of Ven Dr Festus Opara, the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and his siblings. It was a day the entire Nigeria converged in Owerri the Imo State capital to bid farewell to their mother and a great woman of faith, Late Lady Roseline Imuche Opara(Nee Ewuzie).
The burial ceremonials which began over the weekend with service of songs, etc, came to a climax yesterday whilst her remains was lowered to the grave.
At a funeral service at the Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL) Owerri, which attracted more than 10 Anglican Bishops from across Nigeria as well as many senior clerics from the Anglican Communion with church leaders from other denominations including the Roman Catholic church, the Vicar of St Peter’s Parish Irete and Archdeacon of Irete Archdeaconry, Ven Dr Evans Amadi in his sermon charged christians to always prepare for death which he said would come without notice.
Preaching on the theme: “Death is not the end of our journey here” Ven Amadi who took his text from the book of 2nd Corinthians 5: 1-3 reminded those present at the service of the need to pursue genuine repentance thus giving their lives to Jesus Christ, adding that it was the surest way to eternal life.
The cleric noted that as Jesus Christ caused Lazarus in the bible to rise and come back to life even when he had spent days in the grave, so shall He raise those who died in Him into eternal life.
He described Late Mama Roseline Imuche Opara as a true mother of faith who braced up, and got helped by God even 20 years after the death of her husband to the extent that she trained all her children as believers and agents of light, to the point of producing today the general secretary of the church of Nigeria, alongside leaving other shining legacies in the church and her community.
He charged the bereaved family to ensure that their mother’s legacies were sustained to the latter.
Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev’d Dr Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba who was unavoidably absent at the funeral service was represented by the Bishop of Mbaise Diocese, Rt Rev’d Chamberlain Ogunedo.
The host Bishop, Rt Rev’d Chukwuma Opara in his remarks, appreciated the Oparas for taking care of their mother up to the time she breathed her last. Whilst praying for the eternal repose of Late Lady Roseline Opara, he committed the bereaved family into God’s hands as they mourn their dearly beloved mother.
In his speech, the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) headquartered in Abuja, Ven Dr Festus Opara described her mother as a faithful and God fearing woman who was not just a Lady of the Knight of St Christopher but a Lay Reader of note, Boys and Girls Brigade Matron and a community leader whose selflessness and passion for God’s work were immeasurable.
Ven Festus Opara, thanked the Primate of All Nigeria, bishops and clerics from across Nigeria for finding time to call and for being physically present as they said goodbye to their matriarch. He singled out the Vicar of All Saints Church Wuse, Abuja Ven Barr. Ernest Onuoha for exceptionally pastoring their mother until she joined the Saints Triumphant.
Rt Rev’d Jesse Vedam (Bishop of Zaki biam) Rt Rev Johnson Obinali (Bishop of Okigwe) Rt Rev’d Chamberlain Ogunedo (Bishop of Mbaise), Rt Rev’d Emmanuel Maduwike, (Bishop of Ikeduru), Rt Rev’d Geoffrey Chukwunenye( Oru Diocese), Rt Rev’d Festus Nwafili, (Ndokwa Diocese), Rt Rev’d Paul Dajur of Keffi-Kershi Diocese, Rt Rev’d Chidi Oparaojiaku of Ohaji-Egbema Diocese, Rt Rev’d Geoffrey Ibeawuchi of Umuahia Diocese, Rt Rev’d Benjamin Okeke of Orlu Diocese (represented), were among the prelates present at the service. Top Anglican priests from Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Owerri, Ikeduru, among other dioceses also attended. Wife of the late Archbishop Benjamin Nwankiti of old Province II, Mrs Jane Nwankiti was present. Knights and Ladies of St Christopher in Owerri led by their President Sir Chinweuba were on ground and presented a fare thee well song to their departed colleague.
The Registrar of Owerri Diocese and husband of the Deputy Governor of Imo state, Sir Chukwuma Ekomaru SAN was among the top political leaders present at the funeral service.
Church Leaders from other christian denominations including the Chaplain of Imo state government house Chapel, Rev Fr Prof Alaribe, pastors and members of Mountain of Fire Ministries Port Harcourt, Scripture Union Nigeria, Southeast Leader of Boys Brigade of Nigeria, Ven Ikechi Onyeahialam, Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, NIGERIAN NEWSGUIDE newspaper Sir Chidi Emeagi among many other dignitaries attended the requiem.
The remains of Mama Roseline Imuche Opara was later committed to mother earth at St Peter’s Anglican church Irete her husband’s home church.
Late Lady Opara died at the age of 87 after a brief illness.
She is survived by children, grand children and other relatives too numerous to mention, among whom is Ven Dr Festus Opara, General Secretary of the Anglican church in Nigeria.
