Ewhrudjakpo: Tinubu Urges Nigerians To Embrace Selfless Service

It was a day marked by deep emotion and profound reflection in the Ofoni community, Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa State, as the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was committed to the earth.

Family members, political leaders, associates, and dignitaries from across the nation converged to honour his memory, describing his death as a painful and significant loss to Bayelsa State and the entire country.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Douye Diri, and several other notable personalities joined mourners at the funeral mass held at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church.

Tributes poured in, emphasizing the late deputy governor’s unwavering dedication to public service, his humility, and his strong commitment to the growth and development of Bayelsa.

President Tinubu, in his condolence message to the government and people of Bayelsa, described Ewhrudjakpo’s passing as a major loss to the nation.

Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the President noted that the late deputy governor lived a life devoted to service, to God, to Bayelsa State, and to Nigeria.

He encouraged Nigerians to lead purposeful lives and strive to build lasting legacies capable of positively influencing future generations.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who attended the funeral alongside his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, described the loss as heartbreaking. He urged political leaders and citizens to live impactful lives and consistently work for the benefit of others.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State said the state had lost one of its most dedicated public servants.

He highlighted Ewhrudjakpo’s humility, reliability, and steadfastness, calling on leaders at all levels to emulate his exemplary qualities.

The atmosphere at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, Ofoni, was solemn as dignitaries from every part of the country paid their final respects.

Delivering the homily, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, reminded the congregation of the inevitability of death.

He encouraged them to find consolation in the fact that the late deputy governor lived a life of service worthy of emulation.

The funeral ceremony attracted numerous prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere. Also present were members of both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, as well as deputy governors from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Ondo, Enugu, Bauchi, and Benue states.

Other distinguished attendees included representatives of the Minister of Health, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and former Senate President and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, among several others.

Meanwhile ,an 18-seater bus conveying mourners to the  burial was involved in a fatal accident along the Toru-Orua axis of the Sagbama- Ekeremor Road, a major route into the Sagbama local government area.

Although initial reports suggested that more than ten persons might have died in the crash, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, later confirmed that two persons lost their lives, while several others sustained injuries.

He said Governor Douye Diri immediately directed medical personnel to take charge and ensure that all injured victims received prompt attention.

According to him, emergency ambulance teams already deployed along the route for the burial responded swiftly to the incident.

Brisibe added that the injured were taken to the Sagbama General Hospital and the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, where they are said to be responding to treatment.