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By Young E. Freeborn
The Ofoni Federated Communities’ pavilion in Bayelsa State was jam-packed with government dignitaries, community leaders, family members and other notable guests across the country as late Dr. Nathaniel Tuesday Goodluck Ewhrudjakpo, elder brother to the deputy governor of the state, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was given what was described as “state funeral” on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Late Dr. Nathaniel Ewhrudjakpo was aged 60.
The funeral event which commenced with an open air service conducted by the Overwhelming Testimonies of Christ Ministries featured choir ministration, Bible readings, exhortation/prayers and tributes.
In his exhortation, the officiating priest, Pastor Ambrose described death as “a journey everybody must pass through one day at the end of life whether we like it or not.” He went further to describe the late Dr. Nathaniel Ewhrudjakpo as a man that lived exemplary life and left behind many laudable legacies.
The man of God who took his message from the Bible book of 1 Thess.4: 13-18 advised the deputy governor, children of the deceased, the Ewhrudjakpo family and the entire Ofoni Federated Communities to take solace in the promise of God to meet with their departed father and brother after God’s judgement.
Pastor Ambrose concluded his message by praying for all the members of the Ewhrudjakpo family saying, “Let God console you all and never to experience such a mourning period like this in your family in Jesus name! Let God grant all of you the fortitude to bear this irreparable lost and also pray for the deceased to rest in peace in the bossom of the Lord in Jesus name!”
The funeral event which was attended by the governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, secretary to the state government, state Head of Service, commissioners and board members, members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including the Speaker and other principal members of the House, also saw in attendance the president of the Bayelsa State Customary Courts who represented the Chief Judge of the state and other members of the judicial arm of government.
Others that graced the occasion were the Bayelsa State Council of Chiefs, fully represented by notable first class traditional rulers in the state, members of the clergy, including those of the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bayelsa State chapter, the State Working Committee (SWC) and other notable members of the PDP, Bayelsa State and distinguished guests from states across the country.
In his remarks, the state governor, Sen. Douye Diri condoled with his deputy, Sen Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, children of the deceased, the Ewhrudjakpo family and the entire members of the Ofoni Federated Communities and expressed condolences on behalf of the state to the bereaved family.
Hear him: “First, I would have loved to report my deputy governor, His Excellency, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo to this gathering and the good people of Ofoni community and also query him if he is a civil servant for not inviting me to this burial. The deputy governor feel that, I’m too busy to attend his brother’s burial. But he is far from the truth because I can’t be too busy to join my junior brother, the deputy governor to bury his late senior brother.
“Secondly, the man in question, the late Dr Nathaniel Ewhrudjakpo was such a good man that took the pains of his younger brother, the deputy governor as his own pains and stood by his younger brother and myself in all our turbulent times during and after the election, until victory was achieved at the end of all the legal battles especially from our major opponent, the APC. Late Dr. Nathaniel Ewhrudjakpo campaigned assiduously for us here in Ofoni community and in some other places with his personal financial resources to make sure we win the election.
“Today, me and his junior brother are now governor and deputy governor of Bayelsa State. Well, our brother had gone to join the Lord so soon. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”
The governor however conveyed his condolences on behalf of the state to the deputy governor, and to the children and members of the Ewhrudjakpo family. He also expressed appreciation to all the government dignitaries that joined him to pay his last respect to the departed hero.
Responding and at the same time presenting his tribute to his late elder brother, Sen Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was overwhelmed with the governor’s remarks and with the number of dignitaries in attendance, said, “Excellency, please accept my apologies on behalf of the Ewhrudjakpo family for not inviting you to this burial. This was deliberately done considering the age my brother died. He died at sixty, and this is a very young age in this community.
“Once again, I want to express my appreciation on behalf of my family to our governor and all government officials that are here for joining us to give our late brother and father such a befitting and state funeral. Initially, we weren’t expecting such a mammoth crowd of respected personalities to grace this funeral event when we planned it. Therefore, let me appreciate all of you once again for giving us this great honour,” he said.
After the open air service, the deceased was taken to his compound for interment.
Late Dr. Nathaniel Tuesday Goodluck Ewhrudjakpo is survived by three children, two brothers, Christopher and Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and other family members.
Until his death, Dr. Nath. as he was popularly called by his people was a devout member of the Overwhelming Testimonies of Christ Ministries, Igbogene. He died on June 22, 2024.
