By Ogheneruona Tejiri, Sapele
The sleepy agrarian community of Okegberode, Ozue in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State was agog on Saturday, December 2, 2023 as it played host to the creme de la creme of the society who thronged in to pay their last respect to Late Mama Oritsetimeyin Jacob Ukiri who passed on at the ripe age of 92years..
Mama Ukiri’s funeral ceremony began with a Service Of Songs on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Grace Baptist Church, Okegberode with Pastor Alex O. Agoda presiding, he charged the children of Late Mama to emulate the peaceful nature of their late mother.
During the open air funeral church service at Okokporo Primary School, Okegberode attended by members of First Baptist Church, Warri, Winners Baptist Church, Effurun led by Deacon Ediri I. Otorie, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Golden Good Friends Social Club led by Chief Dave Mafuru Okpedo, Okpomor and Ganiga Families of Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government, Amarere and Oteri Families of Owhelogbo, Isoko North and Imode,, Ughelli South Local Government Areas among many others, Rev. Victor O. Akemu enjoined the living to be upright in their daily lives.
According to the biography of the Late Matriarch of Ukiri Family read by her first son, Pastor Ejiro Ukiri, Sapele based School proprietor, “Mama was endowed with some salient virtues, she was generous to a fault, her generosity earned her the title of the “Best Wife” in the lager family of Iriabome Community(our fathers’ home town), Elume, Sapele Local Government Area. Mama was a peace lover, quiet and has good rapport in all her dealings. Mama was a devout Baptist, lived a dedicated Christian life until her demise on Friday, September 1, 2023.”
In her tribute, Mrs. Stella Osaeke, Late Mama”s eldest daughter, a retiree of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) said that Late Mama was an epitome of godliness, a mother to all, adding, “Mama, you showed me how to serve God well, you encouraged me to live a Christian life, I learnt how to tithe correctly from you. You were not just a mother to me but a mother to all. Sleep well Mama.”
In their tributes, Pharm. & Mrs. Isaac Amarere, described Mama as Mother General who does not differentiate between her children (daughters)and her sons-in-laws, adding, “Mama would be remembered for her forthrightness, sincerity of purpose and passion for good upbringing of her children.”
On her part, Mrs. Patience Oteri, third daughter of Mama, a staff of Udu Local Government Area has this to say, “Mama was the best gift God gave to us, God loving. She showed us how to live accommodating lives, respect others. She was caring, always cool, she taught us how to handle situations calmly. We will dearly miss her.” Also speaking, Mr. Peter Oteri, a son-inlaw added his voice thus, “Mama was a special breed of woman who lived an impactful life. We will surely miss her words of wisdom.”
In his tributes, Victor Okies Okpomor, a son-inlaw and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents Chapel said, “Mama is an epitome of humility. She is always calm, cool and calculated. Always making peace and suing for peace. She prays and wants the best for her children. I always notice her good virtues in the way my wife lives with me in our matrimonial home, Mama’s life impacted my wife positively.”
In her tribute, Mrs. Princess A. Okpomor, an educationist said,”Mama was the best ever, she was a rare breed of mother who goes all out to teach her children how best to , worship God, be obedient to constituted authorities. Mama was humility personified. With Mama, every child has equal rights and treated as such. Mama has left her footprints in the sands of time, the vacuum created by her demise can only be filled by God. Adieu Mama, Sleep on.”
On his part, Dr. Efeturi Oteri, Mama’s first grandchild and a Medical Doctor on internship, “my memory of my granny is that of a caring, quiet and dutiful mother. Her relationship with my parents, uncles and aunties was very cordial, she was always reaching out to us, distance was not a barrier. We will miss her.”
Also speaking, Engr. Ovwigho Odjuwuederhie, Mama’s cousin has this to say, “my precious sister, Madam Oritsetimeyi Ukiri née Umukoro Ojagwuri lived a fulfilled life. She was a woman of peace and always preaching peace to all and sundry. Her peaceful disposition remodeled the lives of troubleshooting members of the family. I pray God of mercy to grant her eternal rest in His blossom.”
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