Sir Sam Iheagwam, Bishop Iheagwam’s Elder Brother, Dies, Buried

By George Best Okoroh

The late Sir Iheagwam, a Knight of St. Christopher, was elder brother to the Pioneer Bishop of Egbu Diocese, Church of Nigeria,  Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Iheagwam.

In his speech at the funeral service which took place at Christ Anglican Church, Emeabiam, the Bishop  of Egbu Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okorafor, recalled that the deceased,  Sir  Iheagwam, accompanied by his wife, Lady Irene, attended the 2022 Synod of the Diocese which was held in the first week of November, 2022.

He noted that in the midst of life, man is a walking corpse, likening Sir Sam Iheagwam’s passage to Simeon in the Bible, who after seeing Christ said: “Now let your servant depart in peace”.

Bishop Okorafor urged Christians to always be prepared for their last days on earth by living a Godly life, as death is inevitable for every mortal. He described the deceased as a man of many parts, being a dedicated knight, layreader and Christian Men’s Fellowship member.

Okorafor charged the deceased’s children to emulate the good legacies left behind by their father.

Earlier in his sermon, the Rev. Ugochukwu Amaefula of St. Michael’s Church, Umuocham, Ntu Parish, Ngor Okpala LGA, Imo State enjoined Nigerians to eschew corruption and live a blameless life. He noted that God created man in His own image and likeness, regretting that the same man opted to disappoint God.

Rev. Amaefula observed that the result of that disappointment was God’s decision to wipe out mankind with the exception of Noah and his family who were obedient to God.

Also in their remarks, the Venerables Taiwo Olupitan and Akin Omoyajowo both from the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, said they were in Emeabiam to console and sympathise with the Iheagwams, noting that the deceased’s first son, Mr. Ikechukwu Iheagwam and his wife, Tina, are functional members of the Diocese of Lagos West.

Mr. Ikechukwu Iheagwam in his eulogy described his late father as Godfearing, honest and committed to all that he was engaged in.  He, on behalf of his siblings, promised that God being their helper, they would sustain their late father’s attributes.

Late Sir Samuel Nnadiebulam Iheagwam died at the age of 86 years and is survived by his wife Lady Irene Nkechi Iheagwam ,four sons, their wives, grandchildren and other family members including His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Professor Emmanuel Iheagwam, immediate past Bishop of Egbu Diocese.