By Cynthia Eruoto
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has tasked Nigerians to emulate the exemplary life style of His Royal Majesty,Dr. Richard Layeguen Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro I, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state saying, for the Monarch to have lived to 106 years was not mean thing.
Governor Okowa stated this on Friday as he joined others to pay tributes to the departed Monarch. He said, Nigerians should put up character that would promote peace and development of the nations as the Monarch did in Olomu Kingdom in particular, Delta State and Nigeria in general saying, they should avoid anything capable of dragging the image of the nation into the mud.
According to Governor Okowa, towing the path of peace, would help in no small way in ensuring that Nigeria as nation especially Delta State experiences speedy growth and development in all ramifications. He said, every individual in the state and country at large has a role to play collectively as it will make life pleasurable in spite of the challenging times which Nigeria and Nigerians are experiencing at present.
He said:” I urge those of us that live, because, as we gather here this afternoon to honour our departed father, it is no longer about him, it is about us- the life that we live- and the contributions that we make to our state and to our great nation”.
Governor Okowa lauded the Olomu Kingdom in particular and Urhobo nation in general for according the Royal father the respect he deserves by giving him a befitting burial.
According to Governor Okowa, there are lots of lessons to learn from the life of the departed Monarch who was a Royal Canon of the Aglican Church saying, he met the late Monarch many years ago but became closer to him in the last seven years when he becomes the Governor as he found out that, he was a special breed from God to the extent that, even at the age of 106, he was still strong and could attend to state functions. He said, the Royal Majesty spent 70 years of his life in the services to humanity and urged people to emulate this rare gem in this direction. He thanked God for him to have led an a life worthy of emulation as many people would tape from his wealth of experience before he died.
He said:”Our Monarch was a wonderful man full of wisdom and l thank God that a lot of us tapped into that wisdom. He was a man full of prayers and any time, l met him, he did pray for me and l know that his prayers are ones that the Lord heard that saw me through this eight years in office”.
Governor Okowa also expressed gratitude to God for the peace the Monarch has brought to Olomu Kingdom saying, as the immediate past Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council of Urhobo nation, he was able to bring together the Urhobo as a nation.
He said:” Papa did a lot of great work both in educating our people in community services and in ensuring the unity of the Urhobo people in particular and Delta State in general.
In a sermon titled:”There Is Time For Everything,” the Archbishop of Bendel Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Ughelli Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Revd. Cyril Odutemu said the late Monarch was a lover of Jesus Christ and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Most Revd. Odutemu said that, there was life after death and reminded Nigerians, especially Christians, of the need to embrace Jesus Christ in order to have eternal life just as he charged those in the position of trust to have the interest of people heart.
The funeral service was attended by Delta State Governor Elect, Rt,Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the wife of Edo State Governor ,Mrs Betsy Obaseki; Chief Great Ogboru, Vanguard Publisher, Mr. Sam Amuka among others.