By joshua 
Late Sir. Peter Zakari Akpa, KSM (JP) Laid To Rest Amidst Glowing Tributes As A Seasoned Administrator, Perfect Gentleman.
The remains of Late Sir. Peter Zakari Akpa Akpa, KSM (JP) has been laid to rest at his home town and residence at Ojibogo-Okenyi Ankpa LGA, Kogi State.
Dignitaries from all works of life gathered after a service of song in Lokoja, extolled the virtue of Sir Peter Zakari Akpa Akpa KSM JP at a funeral mass held at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Okenyi, Ojibojo, Ankpa LGA of Kogi State.
The Benue and Kogi State Government had a strong representation, with the particular presence of Ankpa LGA, represented by the Special Assistant Political, at the Funeral Mass.
Sir PZ Akpa (KSM)JP, was one of Kogi State most Celebrated Administrator, Former Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration, Died at age 81.
The Chief celebrant, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Adaji MSP, led other siblings of late PZ Akpa, as he was fondly called, to bid their final farewell to their father, described him as a father that will surely be missed for his positive impact on their lives.
Late PZ Akpa was survived by 8 children among who are; Dr. Francis Akpa, Director Public Health, Kogi State Ministry of Health and Prof. Paul Akpa, Associate professor, Dept of Pharmacy, University of Nigeria
Nsukka
In one of the children’s tribute, described their father as a simple, devout, and truly good man—the very embodiment of kindness and a kindred spirit, said he lived a life of prayer, quiet strength, and selfless love.
“May he now rest peacefully in the eternal embrace of the God he served so faithfully, and may his reward be great in the highest heavens”.
Sir. Peter Zakeri Akpa was a rare administrator of repute, served as the Pioneer Chairman Kogi State Pension Board(1999-2003).
He was a former speech writer to the Governor and Director of Government House under Lt. Col. Fidelis Attahiru Makka in old Benue State.
He also was Director-General(Permanent Secretary) of The Kogi State Government House, Establishment and Training in 1992 under the Administration of Prince Abubakar Audu. PZ Akpa, also served as Sole Administrator of Ushongo and Ankpa Local Government Areas under the old Benue State.
Sir Peter Zakeri Akpa was born on the 29th of June 1944, to the Family of Akpa Idenyi and Okpachi Okoliko.
He is of the Uja Kpabana clan of Ojibogo, Okenyi in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He started his Primary School at Roman Catholic Junior Primary School Okenyi and St. Mary Primary School, Otukpo from 1950-1957. Baptised in 1952 and given the name, Peter. It is note worthy that Sir MSA Odoma was his Godfather at Baptism. It was through his influence and support that he gained admission to St. Boniface Senior Primary Idah and finished in December, 1958.
He later applied to teach as a Christian Religious Instructor (CRI) in 1959 and was posted to Odenyi in Bassa Land. One pupils was Msgr. Abel Bida. He taught also at Sacred Heart Primary School Ankpa and RCM Adeh.
In January 1961, shortly after Nigerian Independence, PZ Akpa gained admission to Our Lady of Schools Teacher’s College, Anyigba. His classmates at the Teacher’s College among many others were Moses Okigbo, Peter Yusuf, Joseph Musa and Paul Emeje.
After the completion of the Teachers’ College in December, 1965, by January 1966, he was appointed a Grade II Teacher “awaiting result” capacity and was posted to Okenyi to head the Junior Primary School. He was the headmaster of the school for one year and nine months before he left for the Rural Science Education College, Minna, for the Senior Teachers’ Grade I Certificate course in September 1967.
The two years’ course ended in September 1969 after which he was appointed a tutor at his Alma Mater — Anyigba, Teacher’s College to teach Biology and Agricultural Science, among other courses. He taught the likes of Moses Okino, William Amodu, Raymond Opega and Francis Odiniya.
At this time the political climate of Nigeria had experienced dramatic changes, the military coup in January 1966, claimed the lives of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Tafawa Balewa, The Prime Minister and the counter coup in July of 1966, plunged the country into a fratricidal war hinged on the Biafra secession. Though this secession was quelled, it came with a huge price on both sides. At this time however, Baba was far away from the epicenter of the war though the news and counter news of attack and counter attacks were rife and the notorious B-26 fighter jet of the Biafrans wreaked a lot of havoc on the Nigerian soil.
Through the correspondence with GCE Advance Level Yaba, he gained admission to the Prestigious ABU- Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in September, 1973 and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with specialisation in Public Administration in June,1976.
He began his meteoric rise in the civil service cadre as Administration Officer, to the rank of Speech Writer to the Governor and Director of Government House under Lt. Col. Fidelis Attahiru Makka in Benue State and then Director-General(Permanent Secretary) of The Kogi State Government House and Establishment and Training in 1992 under the Administration of Prince Abubakar Audu. He was also Sole Administrator of Ushongo and Ankpa Local Government Areas. He was the Pioneer Chairman Kogi State Pension Board(1999-2003).
Baba was a committed member of the Igala All Saints Association, where he was President for 13 years and now Patron of the Association, Lokoja Diocese. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of St. Mulumba and a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua and Igala Elders Forum, Kogi State.
In a statement of appreciation signed by Dr. Francis Akpa, expressed the gratitude of the Late PZ Akpa family to the Kogi and Benue State Government for attending the funeral of the quintessential administrator and civil servant.
He equally expressed appreciation to the Catholic Church, friends and well wishers for the support all the trying times of the PZ Akpa family.