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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi yesterday attended the funeral service in honour of Princess Margaret Onyemakonor Obaigbena at Owa-Oyibu in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.
The deceased 88-year old matriarch was the mother of the former president of Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
Also present were state governors including the host, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), and chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Other governors were Mr. Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Bagudu Atiku (Kebbi) and Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra).
Also in attendance were former governors, including Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Donald Duke of Cross River, Segun Osoba of Ogun State and Segun Oni of Ekiti State.
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor; captains of industries including Tony Elumelu and Jim Ovia graced the solemn service as well.
Media managers from various outfits including the Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh,; politicians, community leaders and others were also in attendance.
Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Ben Obi were among the dignitaries at the service of songs held on Friday.
In a sermon during the funeral service, Bishop of Ika Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Ekpenisi, said the late matriarch lived a life of humility and committed service to God.
Ekpenisi said riches were vanity, noting that death was the ultimate end for every man.
He said death remained a mystery that cannot be understood which has put man in a state of confusion even though might want to live life to the fullest.
Ekpenisi decried the level of tribalism and nepotism in Nigeria, pointing out that the practice has been taken from the level of three ethnic dominated nationalities to the level of communities.
The cleric urged the bereaved family to avoid “coldness of the world,” explaining that the practice has resulted in intra-family friction.
In a tribute, Governor Okowa described the deceased, a former Chief Nursing Officer in the old Bendel State, as an aspiration to the younger generation of mothers.
Okowa said the late Obaigbena inspired him, noting that she impacted positively on the lives of those who got in contact with her.
He said the administration of governors James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan recognised her impact and made her Special Adviser in the health sector.
The governor stated that Nigeria would be a better place if everyone was to be kind-hearted like the late matriarch.
