The remains of Pa Okorie Arthur Okowa, father of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been laid to rest.
Pa Okowa was laid to rest on Tuesday at Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area of the state.
Pa Okowa, 88, died on Jan. 28, 2021, after a brief illness.
In his speech at the funeral service, Governor Okowa thanked Nigerians for their show of love while describing his late father as a teacher who fought for the ordinary man and suffered victimisation for daring to stand for the truth.
“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.
“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, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Ekpenisi, said the late Pa Okowa contributed immensely to the growth of the church and education in Ika nation.
The Bishop urged Christians to fear God and keep his commandments, saying, “This is the whole duty of man.”
He called on Christians to remember their creator in the days of their youth, recalling that Pa Okowa served God and humanity while alive
Beside family members at the private funeral, Archbishop of Bendel Province, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Cyril Odutemu; Deputy Governor of Delta, Kingsley Otuaro; former Governor James Ibori and former Deputy Governor Benjamin Elue were at the ceremony.
Others included Jide Omokore, James Manager, Ndudi Elumelu, Chief Judge of Delta Marshall Umukoro, and Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori.
