Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Security has been beefed up around Abia State, as a former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, buries his late wife, Elder Mrs Felicia Edeomola Wabara, on Saturday, in his Ohambele, Ukwa East Local Government Area.
Speaking with Ikengaonline on the security arrangement, Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Zone 9, Mr George Okafor, said adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of guests to the event.
He said that Operational Order had been drawn, and security operatives deployed both around the venue of the burial and hotels as well as critical locations in the state to ensure a hitch-free burial.
Late Mrs Felicia, fondly called Fee, by her husband, passed on in Abuja hospital on Sunday, April 10, 2022, after a protracted illness according to family source. She was aged 69 years.
She was born to Elder Issac and Christiana Ikhile from Ogwa Community in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, but married to Wabara from Abia State.
The late Felicia read Secretarial Studies in Auchi Polytechnic, and later obtained an Higher National Diploma, HND, in Business Administration from South West London College.
These qualifications, according to her biography sighted by our Correspondent, plus her proficiency enabled her to secure a job with the Nigeria High Commission in London.
“It was at the Nigeria High Commission office that fate brought her and the future husband, Adolf who was posted there as a young diplomat, together.
“The relationship which started after several encounters in the office later grew into a close one.
“Such closeness was to metamorphose into a 40 years marriage union that produced two alluring children, Samuel and Jonathan plus two grandchildren: Emeka and Ibiso,” the biography read.
In his eulogy also sighted by Ikengaonline, Senator Wabara said that “losing a beloved wife who has been a vital part of you is like dying in installments.”
“Felicia came into my life when I was just recovering from the emotional trauma of a failed relationship. She immediately became a healing balm that stayed permanent in my heart.
“Overtime, with Fee, I came to appreciate the word ‘Love’ whenever it is mentioned.
Whenever I read the Bible and stumble on the sentence “missing rib,” I quickly appreciate its full essence.
“While swimming through the storms and murky waters of Nigeria’s politics, Felicia was my main anchor bar. In my private moments, she was my confidant.
“My Fee had an abiding passion and love for Christ. She was indeed a true Christian warrior.
“My wife Felicia was much more than a wife.
“She was my love, my friend, my partner, my confidant, my family prayer warrior and above all the mother and grand-mother of my children.
“Throughout her life sojourn in this earthly albeit temporary sphere of existence was imbued with a definite distinctiveness – a curious blend of hard work, discipline, intelligence, kindness and a determined quest for excellence and perfection in all her doings.
“These qualities were the propelling force for the successful and prosperous life which characterized most of her adult years.”
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu had during a condolence visit said the Abia State would accord a state burial to the deceased.
