The commercial city of Nnewi, Anambra State, was thrown into sorrow as six members of a family who died on July 29 after taking suspected poisoned food were buried amid tears.
The victims, Mr and Mrs Okwuchukwu Onyimmadu and four children from Mbosi in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state, resident in Abubor Nnewichi, reportedly ate the poisoned food that killed five members of the family. Mr Okwuchukwu who had battled for his life due to shock at a hospital in Nnewi, later died too.
It was gathered that late Mr Okwuchukwu had four children, two boys and two girls, along with his wife’s sister’s two children living with them.
Two of late Okwuchukwu’s children escaped death as they were not living with their parents at the time of the incident, a source explained.
So, the victims, according to the source, were Okwuchukwu, his two children, his wife and the two children living with them. The source of the poison was yet be unraveled as at the time of filing this report.
In his sermon during the burial, Ven. E.T.C Ifediora who preached on “The last day on earth” called on Christians and non-Christians alike to be prepared at all times, describing death as an inevitable occurrence.
He read Ecclesiastes 9:10-18 that said: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest.”
He encouraged Christians to strive to have good relationship with God and man as they lived. Ifediora advised the audience to prepare to meet their God.
“Amend your ways, live a holy life, nobody knows the time because our lives remain in God’s hands. “They didn’t know that the food would be their last meal on earth, “he added.