Delta Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori ( middle) flanked on the( right )by Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and on the ( left) by his predecessor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa (left). With them are wives of Senator Okowa , Dame Edith Okowa, ( 2ndleft) wife of Edo Governor, Betsy Obaseki ( left) the Wife of Osun Governor, Chief Mrs. Titilola Adeleke( right) and wife of Bayelsa Governor, Dr Gloria Diri ( (2nd right)at the funeral service of the mother of Delta First lady, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori at Evwreni on Friday. PIX: SAMUEL JIBUNOR
The remains of Madam Agnes Avwenyotoma Tager mother of first lady of Delta State, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori have been laid to rest at her country home in Evwreni, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was accompanied to the burial ceremony by his Bayelsa counterpart, Senator Douye Diri and wife Gloria, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, Mrs Titilola Adeleke of Osun State, Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme and wife Catherine, former Governors of the State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and wife Roli, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and wife Edith, former Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro.
Others include; former Chiefs of Defence Staff, Gen. Alexander Ogomudia and Gen. Lucky Irabor, Speaker State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Diai, President of the State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Catherine Ojugbana-Orishedere, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, State PDP Chairman, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso; Senator James Manager, Senator Stella Omu and former Minority Leader House of Representatives Hon Ndudi Elumelu.
Some members of the House of Representatives including Hon. Nicholas Mutu, Hon. Julius Pondi, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, Hon. Ngozi Okolie, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, members of the State House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, Commissioners, Special Advisers and other top government functionaries also attended the ceremony.
Also in attendance were, Chief Jide Omokore, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Engineer Augustine Oghenejobo, Admiral Mike Onah, General Broderick Bebeyenebo, Air Vice Masrhal Frank Ajobena, Senator Abass, Senator Bassey, Chief Great Ogboru and High Chief Victor Egukawhore, Olorogun J U Oguma, Mr Mideno Bayagbon, Mr Hope Oborevwori, Chief Kome Okpobor among others.
At the funeral service and reception which held at Eni Grammar School, Evwreni Pastor Paul Onoroha of the Christ Apostolic Church in his sermon “Character”, said character remained the gateway to life hence the need to live a life worthy of emulation.
He urged leaders not to oppress people with their positions but called on them to be diligent and use their positions for the good of society.
He paid tribute to the late Mama Tager, describing her life and times as fulfilling and impactful.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said the turn out of dignitaries was a clear indication that his mother-in-law impacted lives.
He thanked Governors of Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Edo and Osun States and former Governors of the state and their wives for finding time to attend the funeral.
He said as governor he will do his best to meet the yearnings of Deltans and sued for the support of all to achieve his MORE agenda.
The governor described his late mother-in-law as a role model, a virtuous woman and a woman that used her life for the service of God and humanity.
While appreciating guests for identifying with his family in this period of grief, he prayed God to grant mama’s soul eternal rest.
The Chief mourner and wife of the Governor, Mrs Tobore Oborevwori in a tribute pledged to sustain the enviable legacies of her mother.
Governor Oborevwori later performed the Urhobo traditional in-law greetings where he commiserated with his wife and in-laws on mama’s demise.
Gospel artist, Moses Bliss led the mammoth crowd in praise and worship.
Earlier, the remains of Mama Agnes Avwenyotoma Tager left Navy Hospital morgue, Effurun, in a motorcade to Evwreni.
The length of the convoy attracted wide gaze from people on the East West road before it veered into her town Evwreni.
It was a carnival when the convoy meandered its way into her town where people came out in their numbers to catch a glimpse of her remains being conveyed into the town for an open air service.
Pall bearers who danced through Evwreni town added colour to the event while the casket conveying the deceased was kept in a funeral cart that triumphantly drove to the venue of her open air service.
Late Agnes Avwenyotoma Tager died at the age of 86.
