By Francis Sadhere, Warri
The family of Late Joseph Adolor Okotie-Eboh, on Wednesday, held the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of the proposed multi-million naira building for the Joseph Adolor Okotie-Eboh Peace and Conflict Resolution Foundation in Warri, Delta State.
Late Adolor Okotie-Eboh is the son of first Republic politician, and federal minister of finance, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh.
Tayo Ayetibo (SAN), Chairman of the Joseph Adolor Okotie-Eboh Peace and Conflict Resolution Foundation, at the ceremony said the foundation was set up to promote peace and conflict resolution across the globe which the late Adolor Okotie-Eboh represented during his life time.
He said late Adolor Okotie-Eboh was a peace loving man, stressing that Adolor Okotie-Eboh was also a businessman and politician who played politics that was devoid of bitterness and rancour.
Ayetibo said, “Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh is a man of peace who believed in conflict resolution everywhere he goes. Wherever there is dispute he always believed in the peaceful resolution of such disputes.”
Ayetibo, lauded Adolor Okotie-Eboh’s elder sister, Dr Dere Awosika for for deeming it fit to establish the foundation in honour of her brother, noting that “there can never be any greater honour than the establishment of a peace and conflict resolution foundation to honour late Adolor Okotie-Eboh.”
He also assured that now that the foundation laying has been completed, the building would be completed in a few months from now.
On her part Dr Dere Awosika, told newsmen at the sideline that late Adolor Okotie-Eboh was a man of peace who always seeks for a peaceful resolution to any conflict between people around him.
She said this was the reason why she thought that the best way to run his legacy of peace and conflict resolution, was to institute the foundation in his name.
“We did a lecture last year on his second anniversary and it was broadcasted globally and the responses to that lecture were very good, including the parastatals of government. They looked at the idea and the system that will run it with a beautiful board led by Tayo Ayetibo SAN, and every other person in the board. This is the work that he dedicated his life to and instituting it will make it continually speak after him,” Dr Awosika said.
One of the brothers of Adolor Okotie-Eboh, and former regent of Warri Kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, who also spoke during the ceremony told journalists that his brother was a jolly good fellow who surrounded himself with all sorts of men.
He said Adolor Okotie-Eboh during his life time was always seeking for ways to make peace with everybody around him no matter the conflict.
“My late brother was a play maker who made things happen. He was a key figure in the family when he was around. We are greatly feeling his absence in the family. He was a man who cared about others more than himself or his family. He was a great man,” Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh said.
Oritsereneye Okotie-Eboh who also spoke to journalists said that his brother, late Adolor Okotie-Eboh was a man of compassion who always felt the need to help others.
Earlier, the 3rd memorial service in honour of late Adolor Okotie-Eboh was held at his graveside along Warri Sapele Road, Warri.
The presiding Pastor, Rev Sylvester Ogheneakpobo in his exhortation said the reason why the family of late Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh were holding a memorial in his honour was because he lived a good life, urging others to live a good life according to God’s way.
Testimonies and eulogies were poured on the late Adolor Okotie-Eboh by friends and families who attended the brief ceremony.
The family also performed the laying of wreath at the grave side of late Adolor Okotie-Eboh after the memorial service.
