Vice President Kashim Shettima led a federal government delegation to the funeral of late Sir Israel Chinwuba Ogbue in Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, extolling the departed patriarch as a man who lived with grace, guided others with wisdom, and left behind a legacy of values visible in the lives of his children.
Ogbue, father-in-law of Heirs Holdings and UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu, passed away on February 18, 2026. Shettima used his address at the ceremony to convey the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to the family, the people of Onicha-Olona, and the government and people of Delta State.
He described the late Ogbue as a man who understood that ambition must be guided by principle and that success should never come at the cost of one’s peace of mind, and reflected on his steadying influence during critical moments in the early development of the United Bank for Africa.
“Pa Ogbue brought stability when it was needed and ensured that growth never lost its moral compass. He believed in balance. In a world that often chases excess, he chose moderation,” Shettima said.
He framed the occasion not as one of grief but as a celebration of a long life meaningfully lived and a legacy that would endure across generations. The ceremony drew dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria who came to pay their respects to the Elumelu and Ogbue families.
Following the funeral, Shettima paid a separate condolence visit to the Elumelu family home, where community leaders conferred on him the traditional title of Odoziani 1 of Aniocha, a distinction meaning “the one who restores the glory of the land.” The title is reserved for distinguished individuals in recognition of their service, leadership, and contributions to the progress and development of the Aniocha community.
