By: ‘Suyi Ayodele and Idahosa Moses | Benin
It was pomp and pageantry on Saturday at the Uyi Grand International Event Centre in Benin City, the Edo State Capital, when the children of the late Sir (Barr) Stephen Ogbebor Odigie and Lady Beatrice Onyejionweaka Odigie honoured their late parents in social ceremonies to mark their final funeral rites.
The colourful twin-event was attended by the Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), High Court Judges, Magistrates, Presidents Customary Court, captains of industry, and top echelons in the political arena.
Speaking to Sunday Tribune at event, the elderst and only son of the late Sir and Lady Odigie, Michael Odigie, said that his parents examplified true love, adding that their demises was a story that one could not stay, hence, his mother went with his father.
He described his parents as core disciplinarians, true parental love personified, who according to him were wholesome, nothing that the children “are proud to give their parents befitting burial”.
“My parents were wholesome people. We are very proud that we are burying our parents in grand style. My parents examplified love and my dad was a core disciplinarian.
“The death of my parents is a story that one went and the other could not stay, and at the end of the day, she went with her husband.
“The death of my parents defiled the popular marital vow that says till death do us part, but in this case, death could not do them part, because them loved each other”, he said.
He, however, expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their support towards the period of their grief and burial ceremonies of their parents.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs. Uwaila Ukwejuwajo, said she is consoled with the believe that her parents, who she maintained were generous and straight forward while alive left good legacies for the children.
For Barristers Amenze Ohuoba, Victoria Imuetinyan Akumagbo, Dr. Esosa Odigie-Okon and Mrs. Adesuwa Hayble, their parents would forever remain in their hearts, adding that their parents were devoted christians, who propagated the gospel of Jesus Christ while alive.
Dignitaries were treated to mouth-watering dishes and assorted drinks, just as the great Eno Louis treated guests to various melodious and ear-pleasing songs.
The late Odigie, before he ventured into the law profession, was a senior prison official with the Nigeria Prison Service, now Correctional Service, and was in charge of Calabar Prison in the 60s,where the avatar, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was imprisoned by the administration of Tafawa Balewa on trump-up charge of treasonable felony.
Odigie, who later became the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State, joined the late Pa Gabriel Ohwo to cater to Chief Awolowo.
Odigie, in an August 25, 2019 interview with the Nigerian Tribune, stated that it was Chief Awolowo who encouraged him to study law, adding that he maintained a father-son relationship with the nationalist after his release by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
