Amongst those present at the Governor of Edo State,
Godwin Obaseki; Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA) Dakuku Peterside; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content
Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Simbi Wabote, former Managing Director
of Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Adebayo Sarumi and former Executive
Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, Adamu Biu were among guests
that graced the occasion.
Other dignitaries who graced the event include immediate
past President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA),
Prince Olayiwola Shittu; former President, Maritime Arbitrators Association of
Nigeria (MAAN), Dr. Omoegbai Omo Eboh; and former President, Association of
Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), Engr. Charles Uwadia, among others.
Late Cecilia Ogbeifun was interred shortly after the
service of songs held in her honour in the family house at Benin, Edo State.
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| l-r: DG, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Mrs. Victoria Greg Ogbeifun, Greg Ogbeifun, President SOAN and Gov. of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki at the burial |
Greg Ogbeifun disclosed that “Six days before mama died,
all of us the children who were in the country were around her. We followed her
through till she gave up her last breath. She just kept praying for us telling
us we should be strong and that she is sure we will be ok but she had to go and
be with her maker.”
Ogbeifun described her mother as a great woman who imbibed in her
children good virtues and Christ-like qualities, stating that she will be
greatly missed for her love, care and prayers.
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| l-r: DG, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Engr. Greg Ogeifun at the burial |
“No matter how old she was, knowing that you have a mother will always
give you that confidence in doing what you want to do. I call my mother a good
mother hen. When a hen hatches, she will cover those chicks with her wings and
they will stay there in safety and the hen generally oversees her children
until they become independent enough and that was what mama was.
“All 10 of was she gave birth to, she nurtured us to imbibe certain
qualities in life such as integrity, honesty, hard work and she always
admonished us have a relationship with Christ so that we can live a worthy
Christ like-life.
“So mama was always focused on her children with my father before he
passed on, ensuring that we are toeing the part of honesty and integrity and
above all, the fear of God.”
Speaking earlier, Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside said,
“From the testimonies of people, mama was a very resourceful person, a woman of
virtue. The church honoured her; women all over Benin honoured her. She did not
have a formal education but that did not deter her from given the best to her
children.
“She raised children that are of high standing in society today because
she appreciates the value of education. She is a role model for women, so we
are not just celebrating her; we are celebrating what she represents. She
represents what can be called a woman of virtue by all of us and for younger
women.”
Late Deaconess Cecilia Ogbeifun, popularly called Mama
Ijesu by people who lived within her vicinity, is survived by 10 children, 44
grand children and 22 great grand children.
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