The Onah Family of Ogene, Amejo Ward, Edumoga District, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State has announced the final burial programme for their patriarch, Elder Abah Lazarus Onah, father of Comrade Iduh Onah, Publisher of Abuja-based online newspaper, National Record.
Elder Onah passed on in the early hours of Wednesday, 21 January, 2026, at an estimated age of 83 years, following a brief diabetes-related illness.
A devout Catholic and member of the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) as well as the Holy Family, Elder Onah was widowed in 2012 after the loss of his lifelong partner, Mrs. Onyikwu Theresa Onah.
In a brief statement on behalf of the family by Comrade Iduh L. Onah, dated Friday, April 3, the final burial rites of the patriarch will through Thursday, 9 April to Sunday, 12 April, 2026.
According to a breakdown of daily activities, the burial will be kick-started with a final homage by the deceased’s sons-in-law, a revered traditional ceremony termed Op’Ot’Okwu, (literally meaning ‘adorning the corpse with shroud’) on 9 April between 12-6pm.
This will immediately be followed the same day by a wake ceremony at the family compound in Ogene from 9pm till dawn of the following day.
On Friday, April 10, the body of the deceased will be lying in state at the family compound all morning alongside a complement of other burial rites and ceremonies.
This will be followed by a Requiem Mass at St. Theresa’ Catholic Church, Ogene, after which interment will take place at the family compound.
The final rites of Passage -both Christian and Traditional -will start in an all-night ceremony.
On Saturday, 11 April, the rites of passage will be concluded with Christian and cultural dance troupes, particularly the popular Edumoga War Dance, Oglinya as well as Ibo.
The final burial activity will be a Family Thanksgiving Mass at St. Theresa’ Catholic Church, Ogene.
Elder Abah Onah is survived by three sisters – his immediate senior, Mrs. Martha Oyibo Onyocho, and two younger siblings, Mrs. Ojowu Agbo and Ms. Ochanya Catherine Onah;
Nine children, including Comrade Iduh Onah, Mrs. Janet Agbo, Mrs. Maria Ameh, Mrs. Jumbia Etuka, Mrs. Margaret Oji, Mrs. Mary Oheitonye, Mr. Sunday Itodo, Mr. Onah Jeremiah, and Dr (Mrs.) Juliana Ejeikwu, many grand-children and a great‑grandson.
The family invites friends, colleagues, and the public to join them in celebrating the life of their patriarch for his kindness, devotion to family and deep faith in God.
