FULL GARLANDS AS NATIONAL ANTHEM COMPOSER IS LAID TO REST

 

POLICE IG

The Inspector-General of police, Mohammed Abubakar said that the contributions of Mr Benedict Odiase, the composer of the National Anthem would remain indelible in the history of Nigeria.

Abubakar said this on Friday in Lagos during the lying-in-state of Odiase at the Police College, Ikeja, adding that his commitment to the Force was worth emulating.

``Death is a debt every one must pay some day. No one can add one minute to his life when death comes. It is not only the family that had lost someone dear to them, the Force too is mourning him.

``We pray for the repose of his soul and the fortitude for family members to bear the lost,’’ Abubakar, represented by the AIG Zone 2, Mamah Tsafe said.

A former I-G, Musiliu Smith urged the upcoming officers to emulate Odiase for his good works, stressing that there was reward for any job well done.

``Upcoming officers should put up their best in whatever they do. They would someday be honoured,’’ he said.

A former AIG and one time Commissioner of police in old Bendel State, Casmir Akagbosun said that Odiase was an example of a good police officer, whose contributions will be greatly missed.

In his sermon, Elder Amos Akintunje, from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ikeja, who took his Bible text from Ecclesiastic 3, verse 1, said that there was time for everything under the sun.

Akintunje said that people only succeed in whatever programmes they desire to carry out if they prepared for it, stressing the need for everyone to prepare well on earth if they must meet God.

He noted that the preparation of Odiase resulted to the various honours done on him while alive and death, particularly the composition of the national anthem.

The Chairman of Nigerian Music Copy Rights Commission, Mr Orits Williki, who described Odiase as an enigma, expressed sadness that the man had not been adequately honoured by the government, in view of his achievements.

``Apart from naming him after any national monument, government should give good amount of money to the family to encourage them. The man should be celebrated all over the country,’’ Williki said.

One of his sons, Anthony Odiase, who flew in from South Africa described his father as a character builder, stressing that his success as a musician and composer was as a result of his late father’s influence.

He said that he was happy for the honour done on his father by the number of people present, stressing that he wished the number was more than those present.

``My dad was the head of our family, although he was the youngest in his family. My dad has influenced my life positively in many ways,’’ the young Odiase noted.

The 79 years old retired Deputy Commissioner of police was brought into the Police College in a motorcade at about 9.05am, with the Nigeria Police band moving behind.

Six senior police officers of the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police later carried the white casket, with the Force Flag across it on their shoulders to lay him in state for the ceremony that lasted about two hours.

The body was taking to Usobe in Edo state after the church and police ceremonies were concluded.

Other guest present include the wife of the deceased, Mrs Teresa Odiase, children, family members, Dr Juli Adelusi, former Health Minister, friend and officers and men of the Force from the College.