By Francis Sadhere
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Wednesday called on Deltans and Nigerians to reconcile their life with God and the society, saying that the unity of the country is necessary for development.
Governor Okowa who was speaking at the funeral service of late Olorogun Micheal Ibru at the All Saints’ Cathedral Church, Anglican Communion in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, urged all Deltans and Nigerians to continue to live in peace and harmony with one another.
While commiserating with the Ibru family, Governor Okowa also appealed to them to stay united and live as one family, noted that their living together will bring honour and respect to the late Michael Ibru.
Governor Okowa described Late Michael Ibru as a man who has touched the lives of so many people in the state, country and the world at large, calling on all well meaning Nigerians to emulate the exemplary life of the late business tycoon.
“I want to plead with each and every one of us, no matter what might have gone wrong that it is time for us to unit and truly forget the past because it is only then that can we able to say that we have done that which our father, Olorogun Michael Ibru has asked us to do.
“There is no doubt that he has impacted the lives of people in Delta State and the world, and I am glad that a lot of good things have been said about him. He was a great man and still a great man even in death.
“A lot of people are rich but they are arrogant with their riches. That is not the life that we expect people to live, and it is my plea to those who live, especially the extended family of Ibru family that the best we can do is to ensure that we stay humble in all that we do. A very humble heart is a loving heart. Every humble heart is for unity and for peace.”
On his part, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, during his sermon, appealed to all Christians to reconcile all their problems with God before “the final day of rest.”
In his sermon taken from the book of Matthew 11:28, Most Revd Okoh described death as a permanent rest that is free from all of life’s worries and calamities.
He reminded all that gathered to pay their last respect to the Late Michael Ibru that they should do all they can to make their life straight with God, saying that the time is short and they must therefore act now to safe themselves from the clutches of death.
While describing late Michael Ibru as a great man who has lived a fulfilled life and has touched a lot of lives, Most Revd Okoh appealed to the family to keep the legacy of their father alive, adding that the only way they can do that was for them to live together as one indivisible family.
Those present at the Funeral Service include, elder statesman and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, former Chief of Staff, Major General David Ejoor (rtd), Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, amongst others.
The Late Michael Ibru until his death in September 6, 2016 was survived by 18 children, 27 grand children and 2 great grand children.
