Francis Dufugha
… Honours Legacy of Late Papa Isenah
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged residents to live purposeful lives and make positive contributions to society, stressing that earthly achievements should be measured by the impact individuals make on others.
Governor Diri made the call on Saturday at the funeral service of late Papa Emmanuel Dubadei Isenah, father of the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Bayelsa State Housing and Property Development Authority, Rt. Hon. Tonye Isenah, in Odi Community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
Late Pa Isenah, a retired soldier, public servant and promoter of Ijaw music, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2026, at the age of 80.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, Governor Diri said the inevitability of death should remind everyone of the need to fulfil their God-given purpose while alive, noting that human existence should be guided by service, good deeds and accountability to God.
The governor, who also cited global and Nigerian mortality figures to underscore the inevitability of death, noted that the country currently has an annual projected death rate of approximately 2.8 million deaths, representing about 7,619 deaths every day.
He added that the rising figures reinforced the biblical teaching that everyone would die someday, urging the people to make meaningful contributions to society before their time on earth ended.
The governor urged the people to embrace a life of service, stressing that wealth, political positions and other earthly accomplishments would eventually fade, while the legacies people leave behind would continue to speak for them.
His words: “Our prayer is that we should fulfil our purpose before we die. That purpose is why God created us. After death, you are going to report back to the One who created you, whether you fulfilled your purpose or not.
“From the biography of our father whom we are all here to honour, it is clear that he lived a purposeful live. And that is what is required of the children and all of us gathered here because we will not live forever on earth.
“As at the year 2000, about 150,000 people died daily across the world. The projection for 2026 is 174,349 deaths daily, amounting to about 63.6 million deaths annually. In Nigeria, the projected figure for 2026 is 2,780,783 deaths annually, representing about 7,619 deaths every day.
“Death is a reality. So everybody will die. The rich, the poor, the tall or short. Pastors and senior apostles will die. In the Bible, even Prophet Elisha whose bones raised the dead alos died.
“So those of us who are afraid of death and are running helter skelter should stop doing so because you will not die if God has not permitted you to die.”
In his sermon titled “What Is Your Life Worth: Naked Come, Naked Go,” the Bayelsa State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and General Overseer of Redeemed Glory Family Church, Agudama-Epie, Pastor Tam Seth Eyedoude, called on Christians to prioritise godly living and positive contributions to future generations.
He said human beings came into the world with nothing and would equally depart without material possessions, noting that the value of life should be determined by one’s character, deeds and relationship with God.
According to him, “There is nothing to fight about than to fight for your next generation. All your actions are seeds. Therefore, live a life that is rich towards God and not towards material possessions.”
Pastor Eyedoude also cautioned against damaging other people’s reputations, describing harmful actions and wickedness as seeds that would eventually produce negative consequences.
Prayers were also offered for the Isenah family by Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, General Overseer of Royal House of Grace Church International, and other men of God, who committed the family to God’s care and sought divine comfort and strength for them.
Speaking on behalf of the family, former Bayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tonye Isenah, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri, his deputy Dr. Akpe, political leaders, religious leaders, including Apostle Zilly Aggrey and Bishop Funkuro Amgbari, friends and other sympathisers for their support and presence at the burial.
Dignitaries who attended the funeral ceremony included the wife of the Governor, Dr. Gloria Diri; the wife of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Favour Akpe; former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (retd.); Bayelsa Central Senator, Konbowei Benson; Engr Gesi Asamowei, and other government officials and political leaders.
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