By Young E. Freeborn
It was celebration of old age and longevity among children, family members and guests as the Otota’Rode of Evwreni kingdom, High Chief (Hon.) Felix Ayovwe in company of his siblings laid their late mother, Mama Blacky Ikrechero Ayovwe nee Ubiri aged 102 years to rest in her home town, Evwreni in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Late Mama Blacky Ikrechero Ayovwe was aged 102 years.
The funeral rites which began on 14th February, 2024 at her residence with a service of songs drew together Mama’s children, family members and the clergy. It was a night of tributes as Mama’s children poured different tributes on the life and times of late Mama.
However, the climax of the funeral event was the interment and the entertainment of guests which was held on Saturday 17th February, 2024 at Evwreni town with funfair. As soon as the body of late Mama Ayovwe was committed to mother earth after the funeral service conducted by the Christ Chosen Church of God Int’l, the Mariere Primary School field was opened for reception.
It was the gathering of the elders and leaders of the different communities making the Evwreni kingdom in the reception ground including Uneni, Okpawha, Urevwe and the teeming crowds of people from Unenurhie community ably led by the president-general, Mr. Peter Maison, and the Otota’Rode of Unenurhie community, High Chief Frank Imudje and other guests from different social and political groups and those from neighbouring communities in full attendance.
In a chat with our correspondent during the reception, Mama’s eldest son who is also the Otota’Rode of Evwreni kingdom, High Chief (Hon.) Felix Ayovwe said, “Today, we are laying our late mother to rest in peace and unity. She was very old in age and her behaviour and ways of life until she passed away are truly worthy of emulation by we, the children and all those closed to her while she was alive. Our late mother was a mother with lasting legacies and we can describe her in this case, as a mother in Evwreni.”
Speaking further, the former councilor of Evwreni Ward said, “On behalf of my other siblings and family members, we are indeed grateful to see this great multitudes of people around us today. Words are not enough to thank you all for your great support to us as a family. If we say we should mention names of guests here and those that gave us financial support all through this period, how many can we really mention in a time like this? All we have to say, is to thank you for your support, assistance and contributions to the success of this funeral event. My prayer is that, God should bless you and also allow us to live to our old ages in good health as our late mother lived.”
