Ibori, Ezeoba, others pay tribute to late Pa Okowa

The country home of late Pa Arthur Okorie Okowa in Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area of the state, on Sunday continued to play host to sympathisers who were in the community to commiserate with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his siblings over the demise of their father

Among the sympathisers were the former governor of the state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori; former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba (Rtd.); members of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council; members of Delta State Executive Council; the Bishop of Ika Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Lordship, Ifeanyichukwu Ekpenisi; members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Delta State Chapter and representatives of the physically challenged persons in the state.

Also present to commiserate with the governor and members of his family were people from different ethnic nationalities in the state, members of different religious groups, technocrats and people from different walks of life among others.

In an interview with journalists, Chief Ibori said Late Pa Okowa was one of his confidants when he was governor of the state for eight years, adding that the late octogenarian was a good man, a leader par excellence and a God fearing man who raised his children in the fear of the Lord.

The former governor said that he was quite confident that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa would continue to promote and sustain his father’s good legacies.

“I knew him even before I became a governor. In fact, he was one of those that gave me encouragement to continue in my quest for Government House, Asaba. If you know who the junior Okowa is today, you will know the father; an amiable tactician and a politician extraordinary.

“He gave me everything that I needed to be able to carry Delta North, not just Owa. He was with me every step of the way and with humility, his commitment was indescribable. He lived a very good life. Ordinarily, we should not mourn but because of the kind of person that he was, I think we are all sad that he is leaving us.”

“All I can say is to pray for junior Okowa, the governor of Delta State and his entire family because, there is no way you lose a man like this that you will not feel it. So, I hope he sleeps well in the bossom of the Lord,” Ibori added.

On his part, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba (Rtd.), in an interview, said he knew Pa Okowa for a very long time, pointing out that the late octogenarian was “a different specie among humans.”

Ezeoba added that “Pa Okowa was an embodiment of love, peace, unity and a gap between the young and the old,” pointing out that his legacies will last for a very long time.

Also speaking in an interview, the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor II, said Late Pa Okowa was a rare gem who, according to him, had demonstrated strong love for Delta, Nigeria and Africa.

The monarch disclosed that “Pa Okowa would be greatly missed because of his input to the lives of his children, family, the state and the country at large.”

The Obi of Nsukwa, HRM, Obi Kenneth Ezegbulem l, said Pa Okowa was a good teacher, a friend and a character moulder to all that had contact with him.

“He left at 88 years but if he had lived longer, he would have affected humanity more. Leaving the world when he was most needed was indeed very painful but God knows why He called him (Pa Okowa) home,” Obi Ezegbulem said.

The Nsukwa monarch, therefore, charged members of the bereaved family to continue to lean on Jesus Christ to enable them enjoy God’s divine providence and protection.

On his part, the state Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Kenneth Okorie noted that Pa Okowa had uncommon love for youths, saying that the late octogenarian sincerely believed that youths were truly the leaders of tomorrow, even as he said that Pa Okowa was a father anybody would pray to have.

Prayers were offered for the family by members of the Anglican Church in Ika Diocese during a church service held at the residence of the late octogenarian.

As at 4:00pm, over one thousand sympathisers have signed the condolence register eulogising the deceased whom they said epitomised love and demonstrated it to all.