By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The remains of Sir Arthur Okowa, father of the Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, was laid to rest on Tuesday February 16, 2021 after a funeral service in his home at Owa-Alero in Ika Northeast Local Government Area of the state.
After the death of his father, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had disclosed that the funeral arrangements would be in two parts.
During the first part of the arrangement, which was funeral service and interment on Tuesday, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa took the first Bible reading as guests gathered to lay the late patriarch of the Okowa family to rest.
Late Sir Arthur Okowa was the Ojenyangbe of Owa kingdom and the Okparan of Idumebor quarter. He died on January 28, 2021 after a brief illness at the age of 88.
The second part of the funeral would be an elaborate celebration of life event which will take place on August 21, 2021 in honour of the Governor’s late father who held a traditional title.
Besides family members, dignitaries at the private funeral ceremony were the Archbishop of Bendel Province, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Cyril Odutemu; Deputy Governor of Delta, Mr Kingsley Otuaro; former Governor James Ibori and former Deputy Governor Benjamin Elue.
Others included Chief Jide Omokore, Senator James Manager, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the Chief Judge of Delta, Justice Marshall Umukoro and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.
In his speech during the funeral service in the home of the late octogenarian, the Ojenyangbe of Owa kingdom, Governor Okowa thanked Nigerians for their show of love, saying that because he had announced that the ceremony would be private for the family, “those who came are truly family members”.
He described his late father who was a teacher as a man who fought for the ordinary man and suffered victimisation for daring to stand for the truth.
“On behalf of my siblings, I welcome you to my father’s home. He is no more, he has just been laid to rest.
“He has been a strong pillar in my life and obviously we wished he had lived longer, but it pleased God to call him at this time.
“Our father was a good man who fought for the church, the children and the ordinary man, especially as a teacher and suffered consequences for standing by the truth and at the end, God vindicated him.
“We thank God that he played his role in the community. He was very passionate about the development of Owa-Alero and I am glad that he saw all we did for the community.
“He did not compromise his faith even as an Okpara-Uku of his quarter and that, we can attest to as his children,” Ifeanyi said.
The Governor apologised to those who could not attend the funeral because he had declared it a family burial.
“We do not know when it is best to die but we thank God he took our father at a ripe age.
“For those who could not come, I apologise, there is still a time to celebrate his life and times and that will be August 21, his birthday, and we will all be there by the grace of God,” he said.
In a homily, Bishop of Ika Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Ekpenisi, said the late Sir Okowa contributed immensely to the growth of the church and education in Ika nation.
Quoting from the Holy Bible, the Bishop urged Christians to fear God and keep his commandments, saying “this is the whole duty of man”.
The Cleric called on Christians to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, recalling that Sir Okowa served God and humanity while alive.