By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
Former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Obong Nsima Ekere has bid a final farewell to his father, late Sir (Obong) Gabriel Sampson Ekere, today, Saturday September 11, 2021 at Ikot Oboroenyin in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Sir Ekere was aged 90 when he passed on.
For the past one week, the modest village of Ikot Oboroenyin located on the fringes of Imo River, had become a Mecca of sorts as groups, Churches, community leaders from within and outside the environs, top politicians, business captains, political groups and NDDC management staff among others trooped in to register their last respects to a man, who had distinguished himself as a great teacher for five decades, a sports administrator, farmer, church leader, mentor and a great achiever.
Obong Nsima Ekere, who was Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, eulogized his late father’s sterling qualities as a loving father and great man.
He said that Sir Ekere’s transition to eternity called for celebration as he lived a fulfilled life.
According to him, “we have every reason to be thankful to God for my father did well and died well.
“The day he died, he woke up to make phone calls to virtually all his children, and he prayed, then he ate, and said he wanted to sleep, then he passed on in his sleep.
“So, for me the kind of life that he lived is something that we have every reason to thank God for, and we are very grateful to God for the life my father lived”.
Obong Nsima, who was also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections said though death has snatched his father away, it would be difficult to forget his jokes and wise counsels.
“My Dad would joke with all of us and everybody would laugh. We used to have good times together,” he said, and expressed fears as to who will now be there in the village to welcome them as he used to do.
He further maintained that, they are celebrating his father’s demise because, he left enough good legacies to console and make them happy.
“The legacies he left behind give us joy and make us happy,” he said.
Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari had condoled with the family over the exit of their patriarch describing him as a trail blazer, whose contribution to the development of Nigeria, through his children was enormous.
President Buhari, in a letter to Obong Nsima, signed by his Senior Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Femi Adesina, prayed God to grant the deceased peaceful repose.
Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in his condolence message said, the late patriarch was a community leader, teacher and good Christian who distinguished himself while alive.
Akpabio urged the children and the entire family to be consoled in the fact that, their late father lived a life worthy of emulation, and that his legacies have spoken volumes for all to see.
