By Don Peter Okoro.
The CEO of ROBAN STORES LTD., Sir Robert Anwatu penultimate week gave his late uncle, Major Ben Anwatu Rtd. a most befitting burial ceremony, amidst pomp and fanfare.
The Uncle who was a World War Veteran fought in Burma India, during the second World War. He was aged 105 years and until his death was doing business at Onitsha till about 5 years ago.
Sir Robert Anwatu described his Uncle as a man who carried everyone along. He said it was his good deeds that made him live up to such a ripe old age.
He used the opportunity to thank all those who came from far and near to commiserate with them, specially his personal friends and in-laws, wishing them safe journey back to their respective destinations. In his comments, a nephew of the deceased,Mr. Chigozie Anwatu said:
“The person we are burying today is my Uncle. He was doing business in Onitsha till about 5 years ago when he came back home due to ill health. He lived up to 105 years.”” On the lessons he learnt from him, he replied:””I learnt a lot from him. For instance, when we were young, we used to play ball around and sometimes break glasses and he used to warn us and sometimes seized our ball. We thought it was wickedness then, but now we know better.”
Also speaking to the Press, another nephew in the person of Mr. Obinna Anwatu, has this to say:
“The deceased was my Uncle and he a very good man. Very calm, quiet and unassuming.
He didn’t look for trouble. One thing you need to know about him is that he was a Major during the Second World War and I’m so happy to see his colleagues come around to pay their last respect to him.”
On his message to other members of the family, he replied:
“We are encouraged because he lived a fulfilled life. He lived up to 105 years. That is why every Anwatu Family member came home to celebrate him. My grandfather died at 103 years and my grandmother died at 102 years. So we have a history of longevity in our family.”
On the secret , he replied:”It’s God and it is in our gene and I’m sure my brothers and I, will live above 100 years.It is just God and that’s the secret. Thank you.”‘