Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has expressed gratitude to Governor Douye Diri for supporting the Ewhrudjakpo family in laying the remains of their departed son, Dr Nathaniel Tuesday Ewhrudjakpo to rest.
He also thanked other government officials and everyone who made out time to attend the funeral service of his senior brother Dr Nathaniel Ewhrudjakpo at Ofoni Community in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state at the weekend.
Giving a very emotional laden of thanks at the event, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, however, apologized to Governor Diri and the Prosperity Team for not formally inviting them to the funeral service, saying the intention was not to be malicious and discriminatory.
He explained that the Ewhrudjakpo family collectively decided to give their departed son a low-key funeral due to the recent developments including the death of the mother of the deceased.
The Deputy Governor, however, said he was pleasantly surprised at the show of love and support that the family received from the government and people of the state even without any elaborate invitation and publicity concerning the burial.
According to Senator Ewhrudjakpo, he owes a debt of gratitude to Governor Diri for not only providing him the opportunity to serve the people of Bayelsa but also carrying him along as a junior brother in the scheme of things.
His words: “It is because of the mood of the family, I actually decided not to bother most of us. And you will agree that I didn’t write any invitation to anybody in government.
“Even the programme booklet I deliberately didn’t request for condolence messages because the family is in a mixed emotional mood. As you all aware the gentleman lying in state here was only 60 years old.
He died on June 22 this year, and unfortunately on the 6th of September, while we were making arrangements for his burial, his mother also died.
“So as I speak to you today, his mother is lying in the mortuary. So the emotion and sentiments of the family are actually very bruised and smitten by a grievous blow but we are not crushed and so we are still eternally grateful to God who has been with us in midnight hours.
” Hence we decided not to organise an elaborate burial ceremony because of tradition; he is leaving behind people older than him in the family
“So, Your Excellency, my apologies please. It was not intended to cause any disaffection. Please accept our sincere apologies from the family.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor equally appreciated the presence of the members and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Abraham Ingobere and state executive council members.
Others acknowledged were former Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), the Chief Judge represented by President of the State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, and traditional rulers including the Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo also thanked Members of the State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party led by its Chairman, Mr Solomon Agwanana, Clergymen including the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Very Father Joseph Opelema and the General Overseer of the Overwhelming Testimony of Christ Ministry, Igbogene, Pastor Ambrose More-Grace
Signed
Mr Doubara Atasi
Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor
Bayelsa State
26/10/24
