By Ovie Okpare
A former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, and Speaker of the Delta Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori were among the dignitaries who attended the private burial ceremony of Sir Okorie Okowa, father of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The remains of Pa Okowa conveyed in a golden casket were laid to rest at Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area of the state.
Pa Okowa died on Jan. 28, 2021, after a brief illness at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, the state capital. He was aged 88.
The burial ceremony which was officiated by Archbishop of Bendel Province, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Cyril Odutemu, and Bishop of Ika Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Ekpenisi, was attended family members and selected dignitaries owing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Present at the ceremony Deputy Governor of Delta, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro; former Deputy Governor Benjamin Elue, Chief Jide Omokore, Sen. James Manager, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Chief Judge of Delta, Justice Marshall Umukoro and members of the State Executive Council.
Governor Okowa, in his remark, described his late father as a man who stood for truth and fought against injustice, saying that the late octogenarian was a “strong pillar” of his life.
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The governor expressed deep appreciation to all Nigerians for their support for the family during the grieving period.
“On behalf of my siblings, I welcome you to my father’s home. He is no more; he has just been laid to rest.
“He has been a strong pillar in my life and obviously we wished he had lived longer, but it pleased God to call him at this time.
“Our father was a good man who fought for the church, the children and the ordinary man, especially as a teacher and suffered consequences for standing by the truth and at the end, God vindicated him.
“We thank God that he played his role in the community. He was very passionate about the development of Owa-Alero and I am glad that he saw all we did for the community.
“He did not compromise his faith even as an Okpara-Uku of his quarter and that, we can attest to as his children,” he said.
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Okowa apologised to those who couldn’t attend the funeral because he had declared it a family burial.
“We do not know when it is best to die but we thank God he took our father at a ripe age.
“For those who couldn’t come, I apologise, there is still a time to celebrate his life and times and that will be August 21, his birthday, and we will all be there by the grace of God,” he said.
In a homily, Bishop of Ika Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ekpenisi, said the late Pa Okowa contributed immensely to the growth of the church and education in Ika nation.
He enjoined Christians to remember their creator in the days of their youth, recalling that Pa Okowa served God and humanity while alive.
