Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has expressed the desire of his family to ‘hold a private burial’ for his late father, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa, the patriarch of the Okowa’s family of Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He disclosed this in a statement he signed and was made available to newsmen.
Okowa said private burial would be conducted this month (February), public reception to celebrate the life of his late father would hold later in the year in August, with the hope that the curve of the coronavirus infection would have dipped remarkably by then.
The governor, however, expressed deep appreciation to Nigerians for their uncommon show of love and condolences following the demise of Pa Okowa, thanking all those who came to condole with him and those who called or sent messages of condolences to him and his siblings.
He said,
“in view of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, we have opted to hold a private burial ceremony some time this month, while a Celebration of Life event will take place on August 21, 2021.
“Hopefully, by then the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic would have given way to a freer and more assured environment,’’ he stated.
He described his late father as a “huge pillar of support”, and said that he would miss his wise counsel.
“On behalf of the Okowa family of Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area, I wish to thank all who have taken time to commiserate with us on the death of my beloved father, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa.
“Ever since the news of his demise, our family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of goodwill from a wide spectrum of political, business, religious leaders as well as the mass of Nigerians.
“My siblings and I are deeply grateful for the show of solidarity, which have, in no small measure, helped us to cope with Papa’s passing.
“Although he died at what may be considered a good old age, the death of someone so dear cannot but leave one with a sense of void.
“My late father was a strong pillar of support all through my political/public service career.
“I drew immeasurably from his fountain of knowledge and wisdom, and he was very passionate about the growth and development of our beloved Delta State.
“As a family, we will greatly miss his physical fellowship but we thank God that he lived a good and full life; he has etched his name in gold with his legacy of hard work, selfless service, discipline, godliness, love for others/community, and passion for positive, lasting change,” he said.
“Once again, I thank all those who have called, visited, prayed for us, and issued statements in solidarity with our family. May God richly bless you,” the governor added.
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