Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has eulogised the late retired Warrant Officer Opokuma Sambo Ikisa, saying the father of his Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs, Barr. John Sambo, left worthy legacies for his children and humanity.
Speaking in Odi community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state during the funeral of the septuagenarian on Thursday, Governor Diri noted that some of his legacies were exemplified in the good virtues and lifestyle of his children.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the large number of persons at the burial was a testament to his positive impact while alive.
Diri urged parents to emulate the late Pa Ikisa by taking the training of their children seriously, saying it was the only way the state and society will be better for all.
He encouraged the Ikisa family to take solace in the late soldier’s worthy legacies and strive to uphold his ideals.
His words: “We came to join the Ikisa family in your period of grief. As I always say, nobody is too young or old to die.
“He did very well in serving this country and the state and left legacies that are exemplified by his children’s lifestyle, particularly his son who has worked with me right from my days in the National Assembly. We are here to condole with you and we believe that God will accept him.
“The late Pa Ikisa brought up his children with high morals. That is why we all gathered to celebrate his life.
“The first window of a child are the parents. So, let us not have children we cannot care for. That is the only way our state can develop.”
In his sermon, Bishop Samuel Akpan, General Superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and Deputy Chairman, Pentecoastal Fellowship of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, said there was time to live and time to die.
Bishop Akpan stressed the need for people to live worthy lives to be remembered for positive things even when they were gone.
He said after death, the property you acquired would not be counted but instead your legacies live forever.
The cleric urged those alive to dedicate their lives to God and serve him acceptably.
Dignitaries present included the House of Representatives member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Dr. Fred Agbedi, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, other state legislators, members of the state executive council, top government functionaries as well as a crowd of well wishers.
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