By Omoghene Benedict,
The immediate family members of the first Executive Governor of Delta State, Olorogun Sen. Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, CON, has continued to pour encomium on him five years after his demise.
In a memorial event put together by his wife, former Miss Nigeria, Mrs. Edna Ibru and her two children, the late Olorogun Felix Ibru, a former governor, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and UPU President General worldwide was described an emblem of unity who believed in the unity of the, Urhobo nation, Delta and Nigeria.
Olorogun Senator Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru died on March 12, 2016 in Lagos at the ripe age of 80.
Speaking during the memorial service, Mrs. Edna Ibru commended the Ibru family for standing in gap for her and the two children for the past five years of his absence.
According to her, “It is pity that four of his other children never showed during his burial rites five years ago and they have not deemed it fit to meet, apologize and mend fence with the family even till now. It is a taboo in Urhobo for a child not know where his or her parents are buried.
“It is surprising that they don’t know where their father was laid to rest and for this period of five years, they are yet to realise the effects and consequences. The door of unity and reconciliation is very much for them, if they would swallow their pride and mend fence with the family” The former Miss Nigeria of 1964 revealed.
“My husband brought good name to Agbarha-Otor as the first executive governor of Delta State, he was not involved in siphoning government fund, he was a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and UPU President General and in all these, he was not found wanting.
“I want to use this medium to express my gratitude to the Ibru family that has stood by me and two children since my husband died. They are wonderful and by the grace of God almighty we shall continue to remember him because after God, it is my husband in my life.”
On his part, while laying wreath at the grave side of the late patriarch at Roboth Place, Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State, former chairman of Ughelli North, Hon. Kenneth Kessiena Ibru described him as a father and uncle to many whose footprints cannot be wiped out. We missed him so much.
“While he was alive, he impacted some many lives and I am one of his beneficiaries, what I am today both in politics, business and success passed through him and it is my duty to lay the wreath as we continue to remember him.
“We will keep on maintaining the legacies that he has left behind as we pray that unity in the Ibru family will continue to wax strong from generation to generations.
Earlier in his sermon, the Vicar of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Agbarha-Otor, Ven. Charles Badawusi who took his lesson from Proverbs 10:7, and Psalm 116:15 enjoined christians to always do good in whatever position they find themselves because it will always be remembered.
Flanked by Ven A. O Diadenaru, and Revd. Richard Evwierhurhoma, Ven. Badawusi said, “We have gathered here today in memorial the of our late father who gave his life to the services of humanity and God and his death and remembrance which we are celebrating is precious in the sight of the lord because he is a saint.
“When a good man dies, he is being remembered and God is pleased, late Olorogun Sen. Felix Ibru was a good man and because of his goodness we have come to glorify God and remember him and I am urging others to follow his footprints.” the clergy said.
Dignitaries at the event includes, Olorogun Ovwagbedia Macaulay, Otota of Olomu Kingdom, Chief Felix Ekure, Hon. Kenneth Kessena Ibru, Engr. Utieyin Dudu, Obukome Ibru, Alison Allanton, Ven. Charles Badawusi, Ven A.O Diadenaru, Revd. Richard Evwierhurhoma, choirs of St. Andrew Anglican Church, Agbarha-Otor amongst others.
