Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid glowing tribute to the late Sir Israel Chinwuba Ogbue, describing him as a man who lived a meaningful and impactful life that continues to reflect in the values of his family.
Shettima made the remarks on Saturday while leading a Federal Government delegation to the funeral ceremony held in Onicha-Olona community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The late Sir Ogbue, father-in-law of Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa Group, Tony Elumelu, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice President conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s condolences to the bereaved family and the people and government of Delta State, noting that the deceased lived a life worthy of celebration.
“On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I extend our condolences and our respect to the family, the people of Onicha-Olona, and the government and people of Delta State,” he said.
Shettima described the funeral not just as a moment of grief but as a celebration of a life well lived, highlighting Sir Ogbue’s legacy of service, guidance, and moral leadership.
“At a moment like this, we can list achievements, we can recount titles, but what matters most is the life behind them. Pa Ogbue lived a life of meaning. He served, he guided, and he left things better than he met them,” he said.
The Vice President added that the late Ogbue’s influence extended beyond his immediate family, noting that his wisdom and leadership played a stabilising role during key moments in the growth of the United Bank for Africa Group.
“He brought stability when it was needed and ensured that growth never lost its moral compass,” Shettima said, describing him as a man who valued moderation, contentment, and balance in life.
He further noted that Sir Ogbue believed ambition must be guided by peace and integrity, stressing that success should never come at the expense of personal values.
The ceremony attracted prominent political and business figures from within and outside Nigeria, who gathered to honour the legacy of the late patriarch and support the Elumelu and Ogbue families.
Following the burial, Vice President Shettima also visited the Elumelu family’s country home, where he was conferred with the traditional title of Odoziani 1 of Aniocha, meaning “the one who restores the glory of the land.”
The honour is traditionally reserved for individuals recognised for their leadership, service, and contributions to community development and societal progress.
The Vice President was accompanied by senior government officials, including the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, and the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, among others.
