L-R : Engr. Kestin Pondi (6th) , family, in-laws at thanksgiving of Late Capt. Williams Elaweremi on Sundays
By Ogheneruona Tejiri, Effurun
The Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Kestin Pondi’s family: wife, mother and others, on Sunday, joined their brothers and sisters in-laws and other well-wishers the late man’s son, to embark on thanksgiving over the successful laying to rest of their father, Late Capt. Williams Elaweremi.
The thanksgiving which took place at Garden Of Life Assembly, Effurun in Delta State, Nigeria, was attended by captains of industry and politicians among whom are the Vice Chairman of Warri South, Hon. Kingsley Edafeajebre, former member representing the people of Ethiope East in House of Assembly, Hon Anidi Vincent, Engr. Abraham Bobor, former Commissioner in Delta State, among others. Speaking at the occasion, the General Overseer/Founder of Garden of Life Assembly, Archbishop Philip Orovwuje said, the thanksgiving is necessary for late Capt. Elaweremi who lived a life worthy of emulation.
L-R: Engr. Kestin Pondi(2nd), his wife ,Mrs Blessing Pondi, in-laws at thanksgiving Late Capt. Williams Elaweremi on Sunday
According to him, the late elder states man has worthy children among whom is the wife of the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Mrs Blessing Pondi and others. On his part, High Chief Kestin Pondi said, that his late father in-law left a lot of legacy to learn from just as he said, the father in-law left behind a lot of blessings to bequeath to the children.
According to Engr. Pondi, the thanksgiving is imperative because God was with them considering the fact that the large crowd in Ayakoromor went and returned without any negative incidents or bad news during the burial, adding, “we give all the glory to God. There was no tragedy, no accident,no negative incidents God was there for us. Negative incidents usually associated to such burial ceremonies or large gatherings in the riverine communities was absent, so, we are grateful to God.
Faces of some people in attendance at the thanksgiving of Late Capt. Williams Elaweremi on Sunday
“The preacher talked about legacy when he was preaching. Our father in-law has left behind legacy for us to build on and learn from. He has also left a lot of blessings for us to give to our children. There are lot of things we can’t even mention but then, we give glory to God for all things.” The Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited expressed gratitude to all those who came to join the family to give thanks to God and wished them well in their endeavours.
Earlier, speaking on the sermon titled:” The Reason For Living, Is To Make An Impact”, the Guest Speaker, Bishop Wilson Umukoro said, the thanksgiving is special because Late Elaweremi lived a life worthy of emulation and unto the Lord. According to him, instead of crying that Pa Elaweremi is gone, all should thank God because, the Bible says, ‘in all things, give thanks to God”. He said, the living should give thanks to God for the departed because of the legacy the dead person left behind and the impact he or she made before passing.
Faces of some people in attendance at the thanksgiving of Late Capt. Williams Elaweremi on Sunday
Bishop Umukoro said, while the people thank God for late man’s legacy, they should reflect on how to use that to improve on their lives. His words:” We should thank God for the legacy that late Papa left behind while departing this world. Life is all about impact. We, the living should look at the legacy and use it to improve on our lives. God designs us to be producers not consumers.” According to Bishop Umukoro, if God blesses any man, he should be a blessing to others as he would be remembered based on his impacts on the lives of others before leaving this world. He said, no matter how long one lives on this earth, one day, one will die.
The Cleric who quoted many portions of the Holy Bible including Luke 7:4-5, Isaiah 38:1-4, Acts of Apostles 10:1-4, among others, to buttress his message, charged the children of late Elaweremi to improve on the legacy the late father left behind to improve on their lives .The thanksgiving featured dances and praises to God Almighty.