FORMER Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori; former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba (rtd.); and members of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council on Sunday, paid glowing tribute to late Pa Arthur Okorie Okowa, father of the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa.
Ibori, Ezeoba and the traditional rulers were at the country home of the deceased at Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta where they were received by Governor Okowa and his siblings.
Speaking to journalists shortly after paying his condolences, Ibori described Pa Okowa as one of his confidants when he was governor of the state for eight years.
He stated that the late octogenarian was a good man, a leader par excellence and a God-fearing man who raised his children in the fear of the Lord.
The former governor said that he was quite confident that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa would continue to promote and sustain his father’s good legacies.
“I knew him even before I became a governor.
“In fact, he was one of those that gave me encouragement to continue in my quest for Government House, Asaba.
“If you know who the junior Okowa is today, you will know the father; an amiable tactician and a politician extraordinary.
“He gave me everything that I needed to be able to carry Delta North, not just Owa.
“He was with me every step of the way and with humility, his commitment was indescribable.
“He lived a very good life.
“Ordinarily, we should not mourn but because of the kind of person that he was, I think we are all sad that he is leaving us.
“All I can say is to pray for junior Okowa, the governor of Delta State and his entire family because, there is no way you lose a man like this that you will not feel it.
“So, I hope he sleeps well in the bossom of the Lord,” Ibori said.
On his part, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba (Rtd.), disclosed that Pa Okowa was “a different specie among humans.
“Pa Okowa was an embodiment of love, peace, unity and a gap between the young and the old,” he said, adding that the late octogenarian’s legacies will last for a very long time.
Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor II, said Pa Okowa demonstrated strong love for Delta, Nigeria and Africa.
“Pa Okowa would be greatly missed because of his input to the lives of his children, family, the state and the country at large,” Obi Efeizomor II stated.
Some of those who visited Owa-Alero to sympathise with Governor Okowa and members of his family include, the Bishop of Ika Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Lordship, Ifeanyichukwu Ekpenisi; members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Delta State Chapter; people from different ethnic nationalities in the state, members of different religious groups, technocrats, among others.
