By Patrick Ochei
A grassroots politician in Delta State and Chief of Oghara Kingdom in Urhobo land, Chief Henry Ogheneochuko Ofa has eulogized his late mother in-law, describing her as a wonderful mother.
He made this assertion when members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council led by its Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, paid him a condolence visit at his Asaba residence to sympathize with him and wife for the loss of the woman who had already been buried.
Condoling with him, the NUJ Chairman said it was gladdening to visit a friend and landlord, not to mourn with him but to celebrate with him for the glorious departure of Mama.
Ikeogwu thanked Chief Ofa for accepting the delegation on the visit even on a short notice, apologizing on behalf of the State Executive for not being able to make the burial. He said the burial coincided with the time he was bereaved and so could not make it in person nor to delegate an Exco member ro represent the Council.
The Chairman prayed for the repose of Mama’s soul, maintaining that her death called for celebration having lived a fulfilled life and departed at a ripe old age.
Ikeogwu also used the medium to eulogize Chief Ofa for his sterling personality, describing him as gentle, unassuming, charismatic and intelligent politician deserving of more opportunities to serve the State. He therefore called on the state government to look in the direction of Chief Ofa, even as he posited that his quality services are still needed to move the state forward.
Meanwhile, Chief Henry Ofa thanked the NUJ for coming to solidarize with him, saying he was exceedingly grateful.
He stated that the visit had reminded him that Mama had truly gone to be with the Lord, maintaining that they were both very close.
Ofa however, praised the memory of his late mother in-law, saying that her mothering moral lessons imputed on her daughter gave him the best as a wife. “My marriage to my wife has brought enormous progress to me”, he said.
Chief Ofa furthermore, appreciated the NUJ for their show of care and love towards him, adding that as a professional teacher, his closest friends had been those in the media. He stressed that he does not joke with journalists and that had equally kept him making progress in his career and politics.
In a nutshell, the prominent politician appreciated all that graced his mother in-law’s burial, including the support of the former Governor, James Ibori, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Ben Igbakpa, Chris Onogba, Austin Ayemidejor, Malcolm Oteri, Chiefs of Oghara and others too numerous to mention.