Catholic Church, family, friends celebrate Msgr Osu’s legacy at 72

Catholic faithful, family members and friends on Thursday celebrated the life and enduring legacy of the late Very Rev. Msgr Gabriel Sunday Osu during a funeral Mass held at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.

The late cleric, who died on May 8 after a protracted illness, was 72 years old.

The solemn Mass drew priests, religious leaders, media practitioners, family members and admirers who described the late priest as humility and service personified, whose life positively impacted the church and society.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the remains of the former Director of Social Communications of the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese were later interred at the Ikoyi Cemetery.

Delivering his homily during the funeral Mass, the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, said Msgr Osu distinguished himself through a life dedicated to God, humanity and the advancement of the church.

According to the Archbishop, the late priest used his humorous and engaging personality to touch lives and endear himself to people within and outside the Catholic Church.

“He was instrumental to many developments in the church’s missionary schools as a chaplain.

“He was one who truly lived for others. He initiated many social concepts that improved marriage, family life and society at large.

“He never took his personal comfort seriously in the way he cared for the common good.

“As a priest of the Most High, he fulfilled his vocation, calling and mission like the early apostles. Msgr Osu was Christ-like,” Martins said.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Paul Osu, younger brother of the deceased, said the family and the church would greatly miss him.

“As a family, we will physically feel his departure. First and foremost, we are proud of the kind of life he lived.
“He was a caring brother, a good man who left the world better than he met it,” he said.

Also speaking, the Archdiocesan Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, described the late cleric as a joyful personality who constantly sought ways to make others happy.

“There was never a dull moment with Msgr Osu. He was always preoccupied with thoughts of making people smile and lifting their spirits,” Godonu said.
Msgr Osu was widely regarded as one of the foremost Catholic communicators in Nigeria and a prolific writer whose contributions to the church’s media apostolate were remarkable.

In the early 1990s, he revitalised the then-ailing Catholic Herald Newspaper, restoring it to prominence as one of the leading Catholic publications in the country.

His passion for writing found expression through his columns in several national newspapers, where he consistently addressed issues relating to social justice, morality and national development.

The late priest also authored no fewer than six books, including In Service of God and Man, My Commentary on Nigeria, and Springboard to Salvation.
Many mourners at the funeral Mass described him as a compassionate priest, mentor and bridge-builder whose legacy of service, advocacy and faith would continue to inspire generations within and beyond the Catholic Church.