Diri, Dickson, Others Pay Tributes As Ofoni Monarch Goes Home

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, have described the late Amanana-owei of Ofoni, Deacon Auditor Onakpohor, as a man whose life not only positively impacted humanity but was also worthy of emulation.

Both leaders spoke on Saturday at the funeral service of the late monarch at Ofoni community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Senator Diri, who urged Bayelsans to see public office as an opportunity to touch lives, stressed that the only thing to be remembered for was the number of lives affected through acts of love.

He attributed the death of the Ofoni paramount ruler to an act of God, saying if it were within human powers, he would not have died.

The governor said death was inevitable for all mortals and implored Bayelsans to live in preparation for life after death.

His words: “Let our offices not deceive us. As councillor or council chairman, do not be proud. As governor or Exco member, do not be proud because one day you will also lie like this.

“The only way is God’s own way. We should love one another. Wherever you are placed, see it as an opportunity to give a helping hand to those disadvantaged.

“The history of our brother has been told here. For me, that is a lesson for all of us. None of us knows how we will return as we do not have control of our lives.

“There is only one creator whose ways are higher than ours. If it were within our control, the Amananowei would not be lying here. The Bible says we should turn away from our evil ways and acknowledge that we have to do righteousness.“

Senator Dickson, in his remarks, said the late monarch gave his best in every cause he believed in and died in the process.

He recounted how the deceased was to join him and other leaders of Bayelsa West Senatorial District to pay a Yuletide visit to the governor and died in a fatal accident on his way.

The former governor, who said the accident was an act of God, thanked Governor Diri, medical personnel and others for the swift response in attending to the accident victims.

Chairperson of Sagbama Local Government Area, Mrs. Alice Tangi, also extolled the leadership qualities of the deceased and urged the people of Ofoni to take solace that he lived an impactful life.

In his exhortation, the Sagbama chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Venerable Ewhoforama Omamoke, said the deceased was a man of faith and integrity, who rose
from a humble background to become a prominent monarch.

He said the deceased left the legacies of faith, hard work, integrity and discipline and urged the people to emulate him.

The late paramount ruler died at the age of 69.

Present at the service were the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Solomon Agwana, local government chairmen, chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, and top government functionaries.

Daniel Alabrah
Chief Press Secretary

Reporting: Hot News Reporters