Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has paid tribute to the late Sir Israel Chinwuba Ogbue, Tony Elumelu’s father in law, describing him as a man of enduring values whose legacy lives on through his children.
The Vice President, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the funeral ceremony in Onicha-Olona, Delta State, said the late patriarch lived a life defined by service, humility, and moral strength.
He noted that Pa Ogbue’s influence remains evident in the lives of his children, particularly his son-in-law, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of United Bank for Africa.
According to the Vice President, the deceased demonstrated rare resilience, having been the only surviving child of his parents, yet lived with gratitude and grace.
He described the burial not just as a moment of mourning, but a celebration of a life well lived.
“Pa Ogbue lived a life of meaning. He served, he guided, and he left things better than he met them,” Shettima said.
The Vice President also conveyed President Tinubu’s condolences to the family, as well as to the government and people of Delta State, stressing that the nation honours the legacy of the deceased.
Reflecting on his role in the growth of UBA, Shettima noted that Pa Ogbue provided stability and moral guidance at critical moments in the institution’s journey.
“He believed in balance, moderation, and contentment — values that remain essential in today’s world,” he added.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond, who gathered to pay their respects to the late elder statesman.
During a condolence visit to the family, the Vice President was also conferred with the traditional title Odoziani 1 of Aniocha, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to national development.
The Vice President was accompanied by senior government officials and associates as the nation joined the Ogbue and Elumelu families in honouring a life of legacy and impact.
