News

Okpo buries mother in style

Published

11 years ago

November 3, 2015

From Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja

The sleepy village of Iyi-ojiAkaeze in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on the 10^th of October opened its bowels to the crème of Nigerian society. It was the burial funeral ceremony of late Madam Comfort Udu Okpo nee Ogba, the mother of John Okpo, Secretary, Tenders Board of the National Youth Service Corps, National Directorate Headquarters.

Madam Okpo who defied widowhood early in her marital life had through determination and hard work able to raise and train all her four children. In his tribute Mr. John Okpo described his mother who died at the ripe age of 93 years as the light of his life. “You made me what I am today. I could recall, in early 70’s when parents in our community were dissuading their children from going to school, hiding them away from teachers, you voluntarily took me to school and handed me over to the teachers. You loved education even when you knew nothing about it. You vowed that you would not mind selling off all your belongings for me to be educated. You became the very first widow, in our community, to single handedly see to the training of her child through western education”, he said. Mr. Okpo also noted that while he mourns his mother’s death he also celebrate her princess legacies of transparency, honesty, compassion and humility.

It was on thisaccount that friends and well-wishers of John Okpo including a delegation from the NYSC and Nollywood actors and actresses converged at his country home at Iyi-Oji Akaeze to mourn and celebrate his mother. Mr. Okpo made available his personal resources and vast contacts to make his mother’s burial a worthwhile, classy and beautiful experience. The burial ceremony has in attendance professional pall bearers and undertakers and the ambience was celestial in its pink and gold draperies. During her funeral service at the Presbyterean Church of Nigeria- St Andrews Cathedral Iyi-Oji Parish Akaeze, the Officiating Minister Rev. OgbonnaNwonu described madam Comfort UduOkpo as a virtuous woman of exemplary character.

The funeral ceremony reputed to be the most iconic in the community was attended by prominent Nigerians from all walks of life, such as the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, Senator (Elder) AnyimUde. There were also condolence messages from senator Sonny Ogbuoji representing Ebonyi South senatorial zone and vice Chairman senate committee on Appropriation, Brig-Gen J.B Olawumi, Director General NYSC, Engr. Elias-N. Mbam, Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Hon. Linus Okorie, Member House of Representatives and others.