By Stephanie Ikanone Odiete
Oginibo in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, on Sunday September 5th,2021 witness the cream de la cream of dignitaries from across the nation, as high-profile personalities thronged the community to attend the Thanksgiving service of the wife of Frontline politician, and 2023 Governorship aspirant, Olorogun (Barr) Kenneth Gbagi, Hon. Justice Sybil Gbagi, who was recently elevated to the position of Justice at the Court of Appeal.
The governor of Delta state, Senator Dr Arthur lfeanyi Okowa, Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, State Chairman, Olorogun Barr Kingsley Esiso, Senator Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariavwodo, Senator Ighoyota Amori, Delta state commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon Julius Egbedi, Hon Solomon Funkekeme, Chief Benson Okorodudu were some of the heavyweight dignitaries who stormed Oginibo for the Thanksgiving.
Others who graced the event include Former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr Boni Haruna, Chief Judge of Delta, Justice Theresa Diai, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Senator James Manager
Royal fathers and traditional rulers were not left out as we had in attendance His Royal Majesty, Ovie, Dr Richard L. Ogbon, the Ohworode of Olumu Kingdom, HRM Major General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), Orhue 1, CFR, mni, Orodje Of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM Matthew Ediri Egbi JP, Owahwa 11, Okobaro of Ughievwen Kingdom and Chiefs from across the various kingdoms.
Governor Okowa while addressing the crowd, said sons and daughters of the state were making exploits in the country and across the world, adding that
the state was impressive in all aspects of governance.
He said that the era of concentrating on educating the male child alone was long gone and urged parents to continue to give equal attention to train their female children as well.
“Our state is doing well in every aspect of governance and in the society because we have had a rich background of taking our sons and daughters to great heights.
“In Delta today, women occupy sensitive positions as Chief Judge of the state and President of the Customary Court of Appeal and now we have Justice Gbagi, another woman in the Court of Appeal.
“It’s important that we begin to train our women so that they can continue to do well in life,” Okowa emphasized.
Rt. Rev’d Humphrey Olumakaiye, Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Anglican Communion who also spoke at the occasion said the importance of thanksgiving cannot be overemphasised, stressing that most people who receive blessings from the Lord do not give thanks to God.
While describing the celebrant as an honest, accomplished woman, he congratulated Justice Gbagi on her elevation praying for God’s protection in her life.
The celebrant husband, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, who appreciated guests for honouring the occasion, added that God had been very faithful to his family.
The celebrant who hails from Ubulukwu kingdom in Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State was born in Lagos to Rev. Canon Lawrence Chukwunwike and Princess Florence Ndu Nwaka (Nee Abili), she attended St George’s Catholic Primary School, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos and went on to work briefly at the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Young Sybil went in search of the golden fleece to United Kingdom too, where she read journalism and Mass Communication at the prestigious College of Journalism in Fleet street London.
Hon Sybil later got admitted into the University of Buckinghamshire, England, to read law, where she got her LLB second class and the Nigeria Law School where she obtained her BLL where she was called to the bar as a barrister and solicitor at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.