Odinkalu Loses Father on Christmas Eve

Father of the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Chidi Odinkalu, is dead. Late Augustine Odinkalu passed on at the age of 79. Making this known on Sunday, the former NHRC boss, who described his late father as a lifelong teacher and a staunch catholic, said his late father died at about 4.17 p.m. on Christmas Eve. He said, “I came home November 28 to find him in bad shape. So, we rallied and took him into emergency hospital care. He was there till about December 18, when he asked to be discharged. We got him discharged on December 21 and brought him home to the village. “On his return from the hospital, the elder Odinkalu showed signs of recovery, slept well and rested throughout December 22. “My father’s health started deteriorating the following day. One of his children, a Catholic priest, Obinna Odinkalu, was subsequently invited to give him Extreme Unction (last rites) on December 24. “It was a peaceful passage, at home and in the presence of our Mum, three children and grandchildren. He left us a rich legacy of decency, deep faith, service, selflessness and sacrifice. I’m confident he is in a better place.”