Kpakiama town, Bomadi in Bomadi local government area of Delta State, at the weekend, witnessed a beehive of activities as dignitaries from all walks of life joined the Deputy Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon Kenneth Oboro Preyor, to bid farewell to his late mother, Madam Ekpongbolo Preyor who died at the age of eighty five.
The entire community was agog with celebration as the people paid their last respect to the late mother of six that was said to have impacted so much on the lives of many as a devout Christian and community leader.
An open air funeral service held in honor of the late Madam Ekpongbolo Preyor at Ebikeniye Primary School, Kpakiama, was attended by the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator James Manager and Rt Hon Nicholas Mutu of the National Assembly and members of the Delta State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, their wives, serving and former top government officials, some Council Chairmen, party chieftains, community and religious leaders as well as several groups, including members of Government College Bomadi 1981 Forum.
The presence of friends, inlaws and well wishers of other members of the bereaved families, including Mrs Worldere Asigo, Mrs Mekenana Atala, Susan Kakanda Preyor, Chief Tamaraunaotu Preyor and Mr Akponanabofa Preyor, were also very pronounced at the service and other activities that came thereafter.
The first reading at the service was read by Hon Oboro Preyor who is the eldest son of the late octogenarian, while the second reading was taken by a relative, Apostle Liberty Osiayo.
Evangelist Eddy Etogor in a sermon he entitled “Message of Hope”, admonished the wicked to forsake evil and return to God for mercy.
He said heaven was only guaranteed for the righteous, stressing that whatever one plants he reaps, as all must give account before God on the last day.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by a one time State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Edwin Uzor, condole the Deputy Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Kenneth Oboro Preyor over the loss of his mother.
The Governor however enjoined the Lawmaker and other children of the late octogenarian to celebrate God’s grace in their lives as their mother lived a fulfilled life.
Senator James Manager and the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sherrif Oborevwori re-echoed the inevitability of death, stressing that it is a supreme sacrifice that must be paid by every mortal.
Senator Manager and Rt Hon Oborevwori who described the late mother of Hon Oboro Preyor as a virtues woman, prayed God to grant her a place in His kingdom.
Two members of the State Legislature, Hon Emomotimi Guwor and Peter Uviejitobor, and a member of Government College Bomadi 1981 Forum, also prayed for the repose of the soul of Madam Ekpongbolo Preyor and the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable lost.
The stated that from the testimonies of those that came in direct contact with her, the late octogenarian lived a good life and contributed immensely to the lives of others.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Kenneth Oboro Preyor, his wife, Mrs Campaign Preyor and three other siblings, Mrs Mekenana Atala, Susan Kakanda Preyor and Akponanabofa Preyor, said their late mother and mother Inlaw impacted on them a life of hard work, love, humility, truthfulness and service to God and humanity.
The children explained that no matter how painful their mother’s death was to the family, they strongly believed that she had gone to be with her creator as she worked so hard to earn a place in God’s kingdom.
Several other tributes by the children, grandchildren and relatives, placed late Madam Ekpongbolo Preyor on the positive side of history, even as they recalled her recent role in securing the release of those who had kidnapped her few years ago from prison, a week before her demise.
They said her death marked the end of an era, being the last child of her parents and the last to be called to eternal glory.
They late Madam Preyor was buried at her ancestral home, Zioweiware, Orubiri quarter, Kpakiama, after being accorded all the graveside respect, including prayers for the dead.
A service of songs was earlier held in her honor on Thursday at her husband’s compound, Osibri quarter, Kpakiama, where the living were again reminded of the need to maintain a righteous part with God, as He remains the owner of lives.
The ceremonies featured musical performances, several other forms of cultural entertainments and traditional wrestling competitions.