Ojage Family Disowns Unauthorized Burial Plan for Late Solomon Ojage, Issues Public Disclaimer
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The family of late Mr. Solomon Ayimesine Ojage has again publicly disclaimed an unauthorized burial date being circulated for June 28, 2025, calling it false, misleading, and carried out without the family’s consent.
In a new statement signed by Comrade Obi Offiong Ojage, immediate younger brother to the deceased and former Board Member of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Abuja, the family reiterated their disapproval of the planned burial, allegedly initiated by Mr. Atakwa Bully, a former Director at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Calabar.
Mr. Bully, described as a son to the half-sister of the deceased’s mother, is accused of sidestepping the immediate family—especially Comrade Obi Offiong Ojage, the closest sibling resident in Calabar—and instead contacting the deceased’s siblings abroad.
According to the Ojage family, Mr. Bully misinformed the diaspora-based siblings by claiming that Comrade Obi Ojage was incapable of handling the burial arrangements.
The family said that based on this misinformation, Mr. Bully presented a burial budget running into thousands of naira and secured financial contributions from the siblings abroad. Using these funds, he allegedly proceeded to make burial plans, including digging the grave, all without the knowledge or approval of the immediate family.
Late Mr. Solomon Ojage, who served as a Police Inspector and later as Chairman of the Marian Market Committee in Calabar Municipal under the late Edet Okon Asim’s administration, had also spent years living in Aba, Abia State, and Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Upon learning of the developments, Comrade Obi Offiong Ojage said he stepped in to take over full responsibility for the burial arrangements. These included paying for the coffin, ambulance, and the tiling of the grave already dug under questionable circumstances.
The statement also disclosed that the Bishop of the Latter-day Saints Church in Calabar became involved and reportedly instructed Mr. Bully to refund all monies collected in connection with the burial, both locally and from abroad. However, the family says Mr. Bully has refused to comply.
To make matters worse, the family alleges that Mr. Bully went ahead to secretly print burial posters, listing Michael Solomon Ojage, the late Solomon’s son—described as someone “barely eking out a living” and currently residing with another relative in Big Qua Town—as Chief Mourner. The Ojage family says this move was made to give a false impression of legitimacy to the unauthorized burial.
In the disclaimer, Comrade Obi Offiong Ojage, signing as Chief Mourner on behalf of the family, warned the general public to disregard the planned burial scheduled for June 28.
He emphasized that an official date for the funeral will be communicated by the family in due course, reflecting proper consensus and arrangements.
“We wish to inform the general public to disregard any burial arrangement to that effect making waves, and that in due course, the right date will be properly communicated, reflecting all aspects of the burial arrangements,” the statement read.
The family called for understanding from friends, associates, and well-wishers during this sensitive time.
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