Delta State Governor losses Father, Close Legislator
The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has officially confirmed he lost his father, Sir. Arthur Okowa to the cold hands of death at 88 years on Thursday morning.
This is coming hours after Okowa, has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden demise of the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Tim Owhefere who died at 57 on Wednesday night in the same Federal Medical Center Asaba the state capital.
In his tribute to his father, Governor Okowa said, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa is a man that through his lifetime spread the principles of service to humanity, and kindness even in the face of adversity and trust in almighty God.
The governor disclosed “My family and I regret to announce the death of our beloved father, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa, who passed away earlier this morning.
“As we celebrate the life of my late father, I thank God for the 88 wonderful years that my family and I spent with him and the impact that God allowed him to have on everyone that he came in contact with.
“We will miss him dearly.”
“With love and light, papa, rest in peace”.
Commiserating with the Governor, Archbishop God-dowell Avwomakpa, General Overseer of Christ missionary Crusader church said:”Okowa is the Governor of Delta State and the political father of the Arthur, so the death of the father means the grandfather of Delta State died.
“We mourn together with those who mourn.
“But our Joy is that we shall see him again because he knows the Lord”.
In a phone chat also with South-south international magazine, Hon. Fred Majemite, PDP Chieftain and two-time Commissioner in Delta State said the death of both Sir. Arthur Okowa and that of the majority leader of the house Assembly Tim Owhefere are both shocking.
Hon. Majemite added: “Tim Owhefere’s death is more shocking because as a young man who was very close to me, he was one of my closest friends.
“When he was sick I taught he was going to pull through, so I was always there I never knew he was not going to make it.
“So when he finally gave up the ghost I was more shocked.
“He was a rare gem, he was an orator, he was more professional in his work and does it with great passion and he loved his work, therefore Delta State has lost a great man and even the world at large and it is very painful.
“The house of Assembly will miss him more because his type is not many at all.
“Most of us that were closed to him will miss him more”.
Hon. Majemite expressing his pain also over the death of Governor Okowa’s father, Sir. Arthur Okowa, he said:” Okowa’s father is a father to all as an old man he portrayed good leadership Quality not just to the governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa alone but to all at large.
“He was humble, unassuming, he displayed the good quality of humility which governor Okowa emulated, gentle and accommodating”.
Also, the Honourable Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency at the federal House of Representatives, Hon. chief Thomas Ereyitomi JP, consoles with Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his entire family over the death of Sir. Arthur Okowa, and father of the Governor.
Ereyitomi disclosed that Sir. Arthur Okowa is a true politician in their time whose political prowess his son the governor took over and has displayed sagacity in the administration of the state, He added that Sir. Arthur has lived a good life and will be with the legacies he has left behind.
Hon. Ereyitomi in a statement, while condoling with Delta Governor Okowa and his family prayed God be with the family and grant Sir. Okowa eternal rest.
He enjoined Warri Federal constituents to join in praying for Governor Okowa, his family as Deltans mourn the departure of Okowa’s octogenarian and family icon.
Expressing sadness also, over the death of Sir Arthur Okowa, Former Council Boss who is the immediate past chairman of Warri south council Area, Dr.Michael Tidi, condoles with Gov. Okowa.
Dr. Michael Tidi, on Thursday, commiserated with the family of the number one citizen of the state, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, over the death of his father, Sir Arthur Okowa.
Dr. Tidi in a statement made available to Journalists in Warri said, “We have lost a great man whose contributions to the growth and development of Delta and Nigeria can best be described as inspirational and worthy of emulation.