What can best be described as the “crème de la crème” of the Ngwa nation, including political, business, and traditional leaders, gathered in Nenu town, Obingwa Local Government of Abia State, on Friday, April 10, 2026, for the burial of the late Ezeji Luke Aliga, father to Elder Raymond Aliga, founder of the Allray Group of companies.

Giving his tribute to Pa Aliga, who died at the age of 102, the immediate past governor of Abia State and current Nigerian ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, described Pa Aliga as a man whose philanthropy and wise counsel left indelible marks on many lives.

He added that Pa Aliga was a man of remarkable stature and substance and a towering figure whose life embodied selfless service, principled leadership, entrepreneurship, agriculture, steadfast Christian faith, and unwavering commitment to community development.

Ikpeazu said that while his passing is a monumental loss to the Aliga family, it is equally a great loss to Nenu Community, Obingwa Local Government Area, and Abia State as a whole.

“The vacuum created by his departure is immense and immeasurable; however, the legacy of his values, service, and humanity remains enduring. His life’s work will continue to inspire the present and future generations.”

He prayed to the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest and grant all who mourn him the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

Giving his sermon, the officiating minister and Chairman of Conference (C.O.C.), United Evangelical Church, Rev. Daniel Anjorin, gave God glory for the testimonies given by many about Pa Aliga’s lifestyle, but urged everyone to emulate a good life while on earth, bearing in mind that what matters is where eternity will be spent.

Dr Nyerere Anyim, first National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the first governorship candidate of the APC in Abia State, says that Pa Aliga’s life is something to give God glory about despite the fact that the event was a burial ceremony.

The immediate past representative of the South-East in the National Pension Commission (PenCom) said, “Just like the man of God said, life here doesn’t matter; what matters is life after death, and that’s true.

“One good thing is that the man we’re celebrating lived a good life, and people have testified, and we pray God receive his soul.”

He, however, hailed the presence of people from different political parties in the burial ceremony and said, ‘Politics is just a relative term; our brotherhood (Amala) is older than politics.’ So, when something that requires brotherhood comes, only a fool will avoid it because of politics.

“This is about the things that bind us together, and once it comes to things like that, politics plays the second role. In situations like this, we come together to commiserate with each other,” he said.

Former Deputy Governor of Abia State and current National Chairman of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors, Sir Chris Akomas, said he is very close to the family and recounted their blood links and thanked God for giving the deceased a fulfilled life.

“We are very grateful to God for granting Papa Luke this number of years. My own father died at 104, and now Papa Luke has died at 102. It’s the heritage of our bloodline, and we thank God for it.

“So we are here to thank God that he lived a peaceful, fulfilled and long life. You can hardly see anybody complain that they had problems with him. We’ve learnt from him, and we’ll pick up from where he stopped and continue to advise our younger ones.”

A Chieftain of the APC and former Commissioner for Finance in Abia State, Mr Obinna Oriaku, condoled with the Aligas and equally congratulated them for the fulfilled life their patriarch lived.

While looking at the calibre of political leaders from different divides that showed up, Oriaku said that in Ngwa Land, when it comes to issues of mourning and celebration, nobody talks about a political party.

“This is one thing people don’t know about us, the Ngwa people. It doesn’t take time for us to reunite. There’s this spirit, especially a few weeks to the elections; you’ll see the Ngwa people forgiving themselves and coming together for a common goal.”

The Chief Mourner, Elder Raymond Aliga, said that his father’s departure left him very sore and sad, but he took solace in the fact that it happened because God permitted it, and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

He said that while Pa Aliga lived, his sterling principles, abiding courage and strength enabled him to conquer all his life challenges and to excel.

“He was not just my father; he was my friend and my man. His strength gave me courage, and his kindness and generosity inspired me to be a better person in life,” Elder Aliga said.

He said that his father’s exceptional quality and the wisdom which he demonstrated in the course of his life remain the guiding principle he, as his son, relies on.

“No words can fully capture the depth of our loss, but I find solace in knowing that his legacy lives on. I cherish every moment we shared; the warmth of his love, the quiet and sound advice he always gave, and his laughter that filled our home may no longer be available, but these left indelible memories of his life.

“He passed on like a saint that we think he is. May God accept his soul. We miss his love, his wisdom and his laughter. May God ease this pain for us and grant us the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.”