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•Gov Emmanuel, Akpabio, Ribadu, others celebrate nonagenarian
Ikot Ekwere in Nsit Ubuim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State was agog recently when members of the Bob family rolled out the drums to celebrate the life and times of Madam Mary Dickson Bob, mother of Senator Effiong Bob, who passed on months ago at 90.
Many within and outside the community described Madam Bob as hard-working, compassionate, upright and committed to her Christian faith.
The burial rites began on Sunday, November 6, 2016, when different age groups paid condolence visits to the family. The rites continued on Friday, November 11, when people lined up the streets to pay their last respects to the deceased. A service of songs was conducted in her honour later in the evening.
Expectedly, eminent personalities graced the event at the Bobs’ church, African Church, Ikot Ekwere, where the band thrilled guests to no end. Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, was among the dignitaries. Others were Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Offiong Luke, former governor of the state, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, members of the UNILAG Law Class 1980-83, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and many others.
In a short sermon entitled “Seek the Lord,” Ven. Chris Ndom enjoined the audience to examine their relationship with God. According to him, people should not wait till the end of their life to seek God. He extolled the virtues of the late Madam Bob, saying she was totally committed to God till the end.
Similarly, Emmanuel extolled Bob for the humanitarian works she did during her lifetime, noting that her efforts were worthy of emulation.
The following day, Saturday, November 12, 2016, dignitaries from all walks of life converged on an open field at Ikot Ekwere for the funeral-thanksgiving service. The programme was conducted by the African Church, St. Michael’s Parish, Ikot Ekwere.
Wife of the state governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, represented her husband at the funeral service. Governor Emmanuel said he was comforted that Madam Bob lived to see her children reach the pinnacle of their careers.
Senator Effiong Bob, who spoke on behalf of his siblings, extolled the virtues of his mother who made her 13 children great in her lifetime.
He said: “She was a good woman and God blessed her and she, in turn, blessed us. She was not educated but was exceptionally brilliant and intelligent.
“We called her Ma and she called me De Boy (the boy). There was something special about that name. The name stuck, and till today, that’s what some of my age mates and seniors call me. She and my father insisted that all of us must go to school, which was not common in those days.
“When I graduated as the first lawyer in the rather obscure community where I was born, Ma was elated. Still, she kept praying that more of my type would be produced in the community. Today, that dream has come to pass because, even before she died in July this year at the ripe age of 90, she had produced four lawyers in the family across four generations, including my son. Add to the engineers (which also includes my daughter), and experts in other areas such as nursing, business management and even pastors. Mama suffered for us as she combined farming with trading. She would cook with firewood for all of us three times in a day. She would trek to the market of about seven kilometres and sometimes we would join her. She was also a devoted Christian, which she combined with community development. In her old age, she went to school and did adult education, wore a uniform so she would be able to read, write, sing in her local dialect and record her transaction.
“Her strength, character, integrity, honesty and trust in God, these were the things that shaped us. About 100 people in the community named their children, including a male child, after her.”
Senator Bob enjoined people in the community to always trust in God, believe in themselves and embrace education, which he noted was what could liberate them from the shackles of poverty. He also expressed gratitude to the dignitaries who graced the event.
After the internment, the family entertained guests at the reception, where there was a surfeit of assorted food, drinks and gift items.
