The burial arrangement for the late and
former President of the Pan African Parliament, Hon. Bethel Nnaemeka AMADI has been released by the family.
According to the release, there
will be Service of Songs on Monday April 1, 2019 at his residence, No. 4 Abba
Rimi Close, Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja by 5 pm.
On Tuesday April 2, 2019, the body will arrive
at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja for lying in-state.
On Wednesday April 3 by 4 pm, there will be
Sing Song by the Knights of St. Christopher, Anglican Diocese of Ikeduru at
Amadi’s compound, Akabo, Ikeduru LGA.
There will be a Night of Tributes on Thursday
April 4 by 4 pm at the Ridge Events Centre, Owerri (along Onitsha Road) to be
followed by a Service of Songs at Amadi’s compound, Akabo, Ikeduru LGA.
On Friday April 5 by 9 am, he will be
Lying-in-state at Amadi’s compound, Akabo to be followed at 11:30 am by Funeral
Service at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amii, Akabo. Interment will follow by
1 pm at his compound, Amii, Akabo.
According to the family, his former friends,
associates and parliamentarians who wish to send in condolence messages may
send them to: tributetobethel@yahoo.com
In a related development, parliamentarians, former
colleagues and friends of Hon. Bethel Amadi have continued to express shock and
sadness on the news of his demise.
His
Excellency, Hon. Roger Nkodo DANG, the current President of the PAP wrote: “We accept with profound sorrow that my
brother and distinguished former President of our
institution has succumbed to the illness he had been battling with a couple of
months back. On behalf of members of Parliament, the Bureau and Secretariat of
the PAP, we extend our deepest sympathies to Hon. Amadi’s family as well as to
the government and the people of Nigeria.”
“Under his
diligent leadership, the PAP grew to be recognized as a critical pillar of the
African Union architecture. Hon. Amadi has made an indelible mark on who we are
today as a continental Parliament and we will keep his legacy of great service
and outstanding stewardship alive and well. He was instrumental in ensuring
that the guiding principles of the PAP remain intact and that our vision to
facilitate an integrated Africa becomes an attainable goal,” Hon. Dang said.
Due to his
remarkable contribution to the institutional development of PAP, an
Ambassadorial status was conferred on Hon. Amadi in May 2015.
Among other
things, staff of the secretariat praise
him for his active participation in the validation of the AU legal instruments,
review of the PAP protocol, establishment of the Youth Council, as well as the
EU-Africa Joint Strategic Partnership.
Hon. Bethel
AMADI was born on 25 April 1964. He is survived by his wife and children.
While the
Bureau of the PAP is expected to make an announcement regarding plans by the
institution to honour the late President, the Parliament flags will fly at
half-mast for the duration of the mourning period. May his soul and those
departed rest in peace!”
Hon. Stephen Julius Masele, First-Vice President of the PAP wrote: "You
worked very hard for the Pan-African Parliament, Africa and your beloved
Nigeria. I will always remember how you spearheaded the signing and
ratification of the Malabo Protocol because you wanted the PAP to be relevant
to the people of Africa. My promise to you is that we will carry it out and
accomplish your desire to see the PAP evolve into a fully fledged legislative
body of the Africa Union. May your soul rest in eternal peace. We will miss
you."
Hon. Dr. Bernadette Lahai, former 4th Vice President,
PAP-2015 May-2018 May wrote: “It was
with a heavy heart that I learnt about the home calling of our dear brother,
former Vice President and President of the Pan African Parliament. He was a
fine gentleman, very respectful, intelligent, a listener, hardworking and
focused. He worked hard for the Revised PAP Protocol to be adopted by the HOS
in Malabo in 2014. Under his leadership he implemented the new structure of the
PAP. He loved his wife very well and would always introduce her to us during plenary
sittings if around as the “Jewel of Africa” He will be surely missed. May his
gentle soul Rest in Perfect Peace.”
Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives,
Abuja: “Hon Amadi was remarkable at every venture he undertook.
He distinguished himself as lawmaker and displayed high sense of
patriotism while serving as a principal officer of the House of
Representatives.
His tenure as President of Pan-African Parliament where he
represented Nigeria was faultless.
He always discharged his responsibilities with competence and
distinction.
At this time of great grief, I join friends, family, loved ones
and indeed, the House of Representatives to mourn his untimely loss.
May the comfort of the Lord be with his family all through this
period and may God grant his soul eternal rest.’’
Rt. Hon. Kelechi Kennedy Nwagwu Esq,
former Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly (Nigeria) wrote: Rest in peace Rt.
Hon (Barr) Bethel Amadi, my brother and friend. I can't stop thinking about you
every day, reflecting on our several discussions before your unfortunate and
devastating demise.
You were courageous in spite of the
excruciating pain you passed through. You had faith in God to live on.
You remained cheerful, always donning that captivating smile, very explicit in
words and clarity in voice . You were a rare gem, a perfect gentleman and
an urbane soul.
"B" my brother, as I
fondly call you RIP, where there’ll be no more pain surgeries and
worries. You did everything to live but as God has called you back, fare thee
well till we meet to part no more. Death where's thy fang , cutting the life
of our Mbaike illustrious son, legislator par excellence and Ex President
PAN African Parliament short in his prime.
B" rest in the bosom of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. We sorely miss you. Good night
“Hon. Cecilia Ogwal from Uganda and former PAP member
visited the Parliament where she met with Hon. Stephen Julius Masele, First Vice-President
of the PAP, who was on rotation.
“Hon. Ogwal came to pay her respects to Hon. Bethel
Amadi, former President of PAP, who passed away earlier this month. In her
condolence message, Ogwal, who worked with Hon. Amadi during her time at PAP,
said, “I knew God had chosen you for a purpose and that is to change Africa's
destiny through the PAP. May the Lord give you eternal rest."
Ohiwe-ei Unuigbe, Internal Auditor at PAP
wrote: "When beggars die, there are no comments
seen. The heavens themselves blaze forth at the death princes." So says
Shakespeare. Hon. Amadi was indeed a prince.
The saying, “the evil that men do live after them; the
good is often interred with their bones" is not true in your case.
Encomiums have been pouring in since your demise was announced; from within and
outside. Staff members of the Pan African Parliament have been unanimous in
singing of your good deeds; each one, recounting specific incidences that they
had encounter with you one-on-one.”
“You were kind, humble and reasonable. You were
intelligent, respectable, distinguished and honourable indeed. You were a good
man; simple, easy to flow with, yet a great warrior.”
“During my first contact with proceedings at the
Chambers of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) and all through your tenure as the
President of the PAP, I could not but be proud of you as an African and more
specifically, a fellow Nigerian. No dull moments. It is just a wonder, how you
managed things!”
“You were truly a great man. The PAP family will
miss you. Africa, Nigeria and indeed, the world has lost a special person! The
grave, as the saying goes, is truly one of the richest places on earth!”
“May the Almighty God comfort, support, strengthen
and keep the family and friends you left behind.
Adieu great one!”
.
Kenneth Akibate, Sergent-at-Arms at PAP wrote: “He lived.
He touched lives. His memory liveth. PAP is mourning an ebullient and good
soul. Sir, rest in peace. You played your role. We will forever continue to
debate your presence amongst us with fond memories of good naturedness and
brilliant discerning mind, PAP is orphaned. PAP is poorer. We are denied of a
distinguished, colossal institutional memory.”
“O a very personal level, from our interaction in
Merkel’s Hotel in Harare in 2008 to the all night session in Luanda drafting
election reports, a few social experiences, eventually to your journey to te VP
for WA and ultimately President of the PAP, I doff my hat to real gentleman, a
born leader and a determined politician”.
“Even though we hold on to an expected uncompleted
project in your life, the Good Lord knows best, You will be missed.
Rest well, my boss, brother and friend.
The heavens are richer!
So long”
Ambassador Albino Aboug wrote: I lost my brother, my
boss, immediate past President, Pan African Parliament, Gallagher Estate,
Midrand, South Africa. He supported my growth in leadership space in Africa. He
represented his federal constituency at the National Assembly. He was a
majority chief whip in the green chambers, former house committee chair on
aviation. A sad day for Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Imo State,
Nigeria and Africa. May his soul rest in peace.”
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