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By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
The Idigbe compound in Uruegbe-Ehere quarters of Uwheru Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State was filed to capacity as family members and well-wishers converged to pay their last respects to late Mr Julius Kano Idigbe who slept in lord on August 9, 2018 at the age of seventy-seven years.
Late Julius Kano Idigbe attended UDU Primary School, Uwheru, later proceeded to Government College Ughelli, and upon completion joined the Nigerian Police.
When he retired, he settled at Eghogbon – Ohosu along Benin – Lagos Express Road and was engaged in restaurant business which was patronized by many travelers who delight in fresh meat and banga soup.
Because variety is spice of food, he was later attracted to farming since the land is very fertile for farming and other agricultural ventures.
The late community leader will be greatly missed by the Urhobo and other non – indigenous groups living in Ohosu, for his wise counsel and mentorship to many who sojourned there. He was also an epitome of peace, courage, an eloquent speaker and a lover of Urhobo culture and tradition.
He had a full social life as his home was a centre of convergence to settle issues of common good for his people and friends who had one trouble or the other. He was a man of his words, neat and always well dressed to depict his love for Urhobo culture.
He once called to ascertain whether the biography l wrote on late Thompson Ughakpene was written by his cousin, Amos Okioma and since then his interest in reading Urhobo Voice has increased and would always expressed appreciation for my being a journalist each time we gathered for a family meeting at home.
We last met at Amukpe during the burial of late Mrs. Theodora Idigbe.
He was blessed with one son and four grandchildren.
In his tribute, his son, Oghenekevwe Idigbe described his late father as an embodiment of love because he loved unconditionally and exceedingly. He said his late father taught him the virtue of peaceful co-existence and never to discriminate against anybody.
He said: “Daddy you were very forgiving, a wonderful husband, brother, you sacrificed your time and resources for not only immediate family, but the extended family. I love you dad, rest in peace until we meet again to part no more.”
His grandchild, Oghenevwire Nelson Idigbe said words were not enough to describe his love for him, as he is perplexed that all the wonderful moments they shared together had now become memories. “It’s so sad that l could not hear your last words but forever in my heart, you got your place. I love you dearly and am going to miss you Daddy and I pray you rest in absolute peace.”
According to Moses Oyibaga, the chairman of Uwheru Community in Ohosu, the memory he left behind has been their strength, describing him as a great father and loyal friend to everybody around him.
“We are comfortable by the legacy and moral values you left behind,” he said.
While Emmanuel Ogbeha said he was a specially and wonderfully created person, who even in old age still had the strength of an eagle whose brain and memory were superb, and expressed joy that he gave his life to Christ before passing on.
Mr Julius Odju who was his namesake said the large turnout of sympathizers was an eloquent testimony to the fact that the departed torched many lives by his generosity, kindness and various assistance he rendered to as many that related with him, and described his death as the fall of an iroko, adding that the vacuum he left would take time for it to be filled.
The officiating minister, Venerable G.C. Eke in his sermon titled ‘What Would You Be Remembered For,’ admonished the gathering to be careful the way they relate with others, as however a person behaves is how he or she will be remembered when the person is no longer alive.
He said there two ways one can be remembered, that is either for good or evil, adding that the choice is for everybody to reflect upon. He noted that from the tributes given, “our father, Julius Kano Idigbe, lived a life worthy of emulation.”
Other ministers that officiated were Reverend M.K. O. Odjegba, Reverend S.Ubogu and Reverend M.O. Enabre.
