…Soludo, Obi, NIPR Family, Others Pay Last Respects
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Renowned public relations guru, protocol icon, and a retired Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Government House, Chief Uche Udedibia, otherwise known as Ezennia, was on Friday, 19th June 2026, laid to rest in his country home, Akwa Village, Ifitedunu, in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Chief Udedibia, upon his death, remained a public relations icon, mentor, elder statesman, and distinguished fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
His funeral ceremony was graced by family members, friends, and associates, including the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Ben Nwankwo; the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections and currently the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, accompanied by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Paul University, Awka, Professor Stella Okunna; as well as members of the NIPR led by National President, Dr. Ike Neliaku; the Chief of Protocol Anambra State, Professor Frank-Collins Okafor; the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu, Igwe Dr. Chukwuemeka Ilouno; the President General of Ifitedunu Town, Professor Stephen Ufearoh; the nephew to the deceased and Director of Fides Media Limited, Reverend Father Obiora Ikeh; and numerous other dignitaries, were present during the funeral ceremony.
Fides reports that the late Chief Udedibia served as Director of News and Current Affairs at the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS); Director of Protocol in the old and new Anambra State; Permanent Secretary, Government House, Anambra State; and former President-General of Ifitedunu Town Union.
In a homily during the funeral Mass held at Saint Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Ifitedunu, Reverend Father Professor Boniface Obiefuna said that in life there was what was called a social opening, and that everyone born on earth had one social opening or another to close in order to make the world a better place, noting that the late Chief Udedibia came into the world and was able to close his own social openings in various ways as a child, brother, husband, father, mentor and much more.
He noted that members of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) learnt a lot from him and described him as a protocol icon who was also deeply spiritual, stressing that nobody in this life could have done what the late Chief Udedibia did without having the Spirit of God residing in him.
In an interview, the first son of the deceased, Chief Uche Udedibia Jnr., noted that his late father left behind many legacies which he intended to uphold, describing him as a great man who took pride in being a big brother to everyone he came across. He appreciated all those who made sacrifices to identify with the family in their moment of grief, while urging guests to take time to reflect on the personality and life of his late father.
In their various condolence messages, associates, colleagues and friends, all spoke nostalgically about the deceased, his down-to-earth personality and amiable character, and prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear what they described as an irreparable loss.
Condolence visits by relatives, colleagues, friends, associates, and well-wishers formed the highpoints of the funeral ceremony.
