PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News Across The Region
Related Articles
By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
It was a celebration of Christian funeral rites and the rich cultural and traditional in-law greetings of the Emevor kingdom in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, as the remains of late Deaconess (Mrs.) Esther Eregare, nee Offeh, was committed to Mother Earth at the ripe age of eighty years old.
The funeral ceremony which was held on March 6, 2021, opposite the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Emevor town drew together family members, friends and guests from far and near.
In his message during the open-door funeral service held in the late mother’s honour, the Ughelli district pastor of the Christ Chosen Church of God, Pastor (Dr.) Freeman Omoruyi, advised all that attended the burial ceremony, including Mama’s children and family members to live right with God and also with their neighbours while still alive.
The message, which the man of God took from the Bible book of Ecclesiastes, dwelt on the inevitable end of man and death, which according to the pastor, “no man can escape it.”
He however prayed for Mama’s children and the entire family members immediately after the interment to live fulfilled lives and experience longer life expectancy than their late mother.
Later, after the reception for family, church and guests by the children of the “virtuous woman,” as described by many who knew her while still alive, it was the time for in-laws’ traditional greetings to the family of the deceased in line with the culture and traditions of the Emevor people.
It was culture, lovely to behold, as Rev. Peter Atumremu, members of his family from Okparabe kingdom, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state and his church, St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Unenurhie town in Ughelli North LGA, Anglican clergy and all his guests gathered in a dancing procession to the family of his late mother-in-law “to traditional wipe away tears from the eyes of his lovely wife, Mrs. Deborah Atumremu, nee Eregare, and to also express condolences to his in-laws over the loss of their mother and wife.”
Expressing his heart-felt appreciation and condolences to his lovely wife, his in-laws, family members, colleagues and members of his church immediately after the in-law’s greetings, the revered man of God said, “I’m short of words to express my heart-felt appreciation to my colleagues, all the clergy wives present, all the members of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Unenurhie town (my station) and the entire members of the Unenurhie community especially the CAN and PFN executive members that found time to be with us here despite the restriction of movement today by the Delta State government as a result of the local government elections taking place across the state.
“We are indeed grateful to all of you for your financial support, physical presence and prayer support to us. If I say I want to count names of my esteemed supporters in this event, the list is endless. In the same way too, I want to thank my family members from my home town, Okparabe kingdom that joined hands with me to give my late mother-in-law a befitting burial today. If not for their support, I can’t come alone especially for the in-law’s greetings to my wife and her family. I pray God to richly bless all of them and to grant them a peaceful journey back to their various destinations in Jesus name.”
The burial event ended with the presentation of different gifts by the various groups and guests to the man of God and his wife, Rev. and Mrs. Peter Atumremu.
Late Deaconess (Mrs) Esther Eregare was survived by eight children, seventeen grand children and many family members. She was aged 80 years.
