By Samuel Ogude(Warri)
It was a gathering of who and who in Nigeria in Okerenkoko Community in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State as Late Pa.(Apostle) Asia Bebenimibo, father of the Media Consultant to High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo laid to rest.
In his tribute to his late father, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, expressed thanks to Almighty God and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ for the kind of life the father led while he was alive. According to him, his father was a humble, peaceful and man who made friends with both the young and the old just as he said, the father was industrious hence he ventured into many businesses and had breakthroughs.
He said: “In the first place, I wish to thank God Almighty and His beloved Son, Jesus Christ for the life lived by my father. He was a peaceful and humble person that made friendshis across board; older and younger persons, men and women, boys and girls and across tribes. He was industrious as he ventured into many trades. He was a generous man that was blessed with wisdom and a high retentive memory that he easily recalled discussions and engagements with people after several years”.
According to Media Consultant to Tompolo, the late father did not only show his children love and direct them on the right path of life but the children of others especially those closed to him saying, that he would miss his pieces of advice and cordiality of the late father.
He said:”He always advised us, the children and others that were closed to him to be peaceful and run away from evildoers. I will certainly miss his pieces of advice and cordiality and it is my belief that, we shall see him on the day of resurrection.”
In a brief chat with newsmen, Chief Austin Enekorogha, a relative of Pa. Bebenimibo advised his children to be more united just as he charged them to emulate the truthful character he stood for while on earth.
Present at the colourful event were Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, some members of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council ably led by High Chief P.T. Heavens, Board Members of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission(DESOPADEC), members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Lecturers from the Department of Mass-Communication Delta State University,(Delsu) Abraka, Members of the God’s Kingdom Society, GKS among others.
The funeral service/interment which was conducted under the watchful eyes of SNR. Boanege Amb. Peter Ebiarede German that saw members of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church of God, Bibooere Zion, Okerenkoko, family members, children and friends dance and pay glowing tributes to Late Pa. Bebenimibo started earlier in the day, as the family chanted Ijaw songs, danced and moved the remains of their father in a motorcade from the Veenell Hospital morgue to NPA Waterside in Warri on ward journey to Okerenkoko Community for proper burial.