The remains of Madam Agnes Avwenyotoma Tager, the mother of the First Lady of Delta State, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, who passed away at the age of 86, have been laid to rest at her country home in Evwreni, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was accompanied to the burial ceremony by his Bayelsa counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, and his wife Gloria, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, Mrs. Titilola Adeleke of Osun State, Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme and his wife Catherine, former Governors of the State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his wife Roli, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife Edith, former Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro.
Other dignitaries present included former Chiefs of Defence Staff, Gen. Alexander Ogomudia and Gen. Lucky Irabor, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Diai, President of the State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Catherine Ojugbana-Orishedere, Deputy Speaker Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, State PDP Chairman, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso; Senator James Manager, Senator Stella Omu, and former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Hon Ndudi Elumelu.
Members of the House of Representatives, including Hon. Nicholas Mutu, Hon. Julius Pondi, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, Hon. Ngozi Okolie, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, and members of the State House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, Commissioners, Special Advisers, and other top government functionaries were also in attendance.
Prominent figures such as Chief Jide Omokore, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Engineer Augustine Oghenejobo, Admiral Mike Onah, General Broderick Bebeyenebo, Air Vice Marshal Frank Ajobena, Senator Abass, Senator Bassey, Chief Great Ogboru, and High Chief Victor Egukawhore, Olorogun J. U Oguma, Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Mr. Hope Oborevwori, Chief Kome Okpobor, among others, were present.
At the funeral service and reception held at Eni Grammar School, Evwreni, Pastor Paul Onoroha of the Christ Apostolic Church, in his sermon on “Character,” emphasized that character is the gateway to life, urging everyone to lead a life worthy of emulation. He called on leaders to use their positions for the good of society, avoiding oppression.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori expressed gratitude for the turnout of dignitaries, emphasizing that it reflected the impactful life of his late mother-in-law. He thanked Governors of Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Edo, and Osun States, as well as former Governors of the state and their wives, for finding time to attend the funeral. Governor Oborevwori pledged to do his best to meet the yearnings of Deltans and sought the support of all to achieve his MORE agenda. He described his late mother-in-law as a role model and a virtuous woman who dedicated her life to the service of God and humanity.
In her tribute, the Chief mourner and wife of the Governor, Mrs. Tobore Oborevwori, pledged to sustain the enviable legacies of her mother. Governor Oborevwori later performed the Urhobo traditional in-law greetings, commiserating with his wife and in-laws on Mama’s demise. Gospel artist Moses Bliss led the mammoth crowd in praise and worship.
Earlier, the remains of Mama Agnes Avwenyotoma Tager left Navy Hospital morgue, Effurun, in a motorcade to Evwreni. The length of the convoy attracted wide gazes from people on the East-West road before it veered into her town, Evwreni. It was a carnival as the convoy meandered its way into her town, where people came out in their numbers to catch a glimpse of her remains being conveyed for an open-air service. Pallbearers danced through Evwreni town, adding color to the event, while the casket conveying the deceased was kept in a funeral cart that triumphantly drove to the venue of her open-air service.
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