By Emma Ogbuehi
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described Mama Mary Tuapamoeyenemugha Azazi, mother of the late National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Owoeye Azazi (rtd), as a role model who lived a life worthy of emulation.
Governor Diri spoke at the vigil mass in Yenagoa in honour of Mama Azazi, who died at the age of 103 years.
His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor while condoling with the Azazi family of Peretorugbene Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state as saying that despite the challenges she encountered in life, she remained strong and kept faith with God.
The governor urged the living to emulate the worthy lifestyle of the departed centenarian as everyone would be remembered for what they did while alive.
He urged the family to take solace in the fact that she lived a good life and sustain her legacy by putting humanity ahead of personal considerations.
He said: “We came here not to mourn a mother who lived up to 103 years. We always pray for long life and prosperity. God blessed our mother with life and with children.
“So, on behalf of the government and good people of the state, I condole with the Azazi family, the Peretorugbene and Ojobo communities, all of us from Bayelsa and Delta states, and indeed the Ijaw race. We lost a mother who is never too old to die.
“I enjoin us to look at the life of our late mother. Even at those critical points that she lost her own children, she still kept believing in God. Let us look at her life as a role model. Let us live a life that the day we are called home, there would be so many good things to be said about us just as we are saying about mama.”
Earlier, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr Anthony Suowari, said the best way to prepare for death is by living a life worthy of emulation.
Describing death as inevitable, he noted that Mama Azazi lived a good life, and urged those alive to give a good account of themselves before they are called upon by God.
The mass featured hymns, prayers and communion.