By Halima Aliyu Omaku

Reverend Fr. George Shange of Saint John’s Catholic Mission Keana has described death as a necessary end for every mortal and enjoined every Christian to be prepared for it.

Fr. Shange stated this at the burial of late Warrant Officer Michael Dodo Onyatikpo Abari (Rtd).

Taking his text from the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Fr. Shange said since Christians knew that they have a time limit to stay on earth, they ought to make the best use of such period.

He said it would be a tragedy for a Christian to live a careless life on earth, knowing full well that after death God would judge every body according to his deeds.

He therefore, called on the congregation who attended the burial service to live a purposeful life and be in peace with one another.

Fr. Shange said a Christian who died in Christ would surely resurrect on the last day, and live with Christ for eternity. He also called on Christians to pursue those things that would qualify them for heaven and not material things of the world.

In his comments, the Osana of Keana, Senator Emmanuel Elayo said the deceased had a challenging testimony as he was committed to what brought development to the entire Keana Local Government.

The Osana charged the children of the deceased to emulate the good virtues of their father as this was the best way to always remember him.

All those who testified on the life and times of the late Michael described him as a dedicated person who lived all his life time in fear of God.

According to them, he was a disciplinarian who taught his children the fear of God.

The late warrant officer, Michael Dodo was born in Keana on the 5th May 1923 into the famous and well respected family of late Osiki Abari Ayitog (Galadima of Keana).

He was the only child who was allowed to go to school amongst the many children from about twelve wives of the father.

He attended the Roman Catholic Missionary vernacular Teachers Training Centre Kiwa now in Qu’an Pam Local Government Area of Plateau state between 1930 and early 1940.

He started his teaching career during the mid 1940s and taught in Giza, now headquarters of Giza development area of Keana Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.

He also taught at Udei and Gidan Rai now in Benue state. It was during this period that his father died and he decided to leave teaching in search of another job.

He was recruited into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on 1st August, 1950 and on completion of his training at the police college Kaduna, he was posted to Minna. By 12 August 1957 he resigned from the Nigerian Police Force, thereafter he worked at Arewa Textiles Industry Kakuri Kaduna until mid 1958.

With his passion and desire to safeguard the interest and security of the nation, he enlisted into the Nigerian Army in 1958.

He began his military career with training at the Nigeria Army depot now depot NA, Zaria from 29 October 1958 to 18 June 1959. On completion of his training he was posted to the corp and Nigeria Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (NAEME).

Dignitaries from within and outside the state attended the funeral.