By Ken Asinobi
Oro-Ekpor clan of Rumuepirikom Kingdom in Obio Akpor Local Government Area (OBALGA) is set to bid a final farewell to a revered matriarch, late Mrs. Egumah Nwobiaraeri Beatrice Israel. The solemn event, set to take place on Friday, September 29, 2023, at No. 26 Royal Avenue, Oro-Ekpor Road, is expected to draw numerous mourners who will come to pay their respects and share their grief for the profound loss.
A funeral statement signed on behalf of the family, by the deceased’s husband, Mr. Victor Egumah, said the late Mrs. Egumah, who was variously described as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunty, niece and mother in-law, passed on to glory on Monday, 26th of December, 2022 at the age of 59.
As the community braces for this poignant day of remembrance, the echoes of the late Mrs. Egumah’s impact on the lives she touched resonate, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those she left.
The funeral is anticipated to be a gathering of eminent personalities, with dignitaries from various walks of life expected to converge to pay their respects and bid a final farewell to the departed matriarch.
Esteemed government officials, community leaders, religious leaders, and prominent sons and daughters of the state, are among those expected to grace the occasion. Their presence will underscore the remarkable influence and reverence that Egumah Nwobiaraeri Beatrice Israel commanded, both within Oro-Ekpor clan and beyond.
For late Egumah Nwobiaraeri Beatrice Israel’s son, Joshua C. Egumah, the death of his mother is a big blow as the vacuum left by her passage would never be filled. He said her mother lived a remarkable life of an extraordinary woman.
His words, “It’s difficult to put into words the impact she had on my life and the profound loss I feel at her passing. She was more than just a mother; she was my confidante, my role model, and my source of unconditional love.
“My mother possessed a rare combination of strength and gentleness. She faced life’s challenges with unwavering courage, always putting our family’s well-being before her own. Her love was a guiding light, illuminating even the darkest of times, and her laughter could brighten the gloomiest days.
“The lessons she taught me were invaluable. She showed me the importance of kindness, compassion, and resilience. Her wisdom, acquired through a life well-lived, will forever resonate within me. She believed in me even when I doubted myself, and her unwavering support fueled my dreams and aspirations.
The funeral proceeding is set to commence with Service of Songs on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Christian Life International Center, No. 4 Eriolu Street, Rumuomoi Town, off Psychiatric Hospital Road, Port Harcourt with religious leaders, family and close associates of the deceased offering prayers and words of comfort, reflecting on her life and the legacy she left behind.
Following the funeral service, there will be eulogies and tributes from family members, friends, and well-wishers, providing an opportunity for attendees to share their fondest memories and experiences with the late matriarch. These heartfelt testimonies will celebrate her kindness, wisdom, and the indelible mark she left on the hearts of all who knew her.
A symbolic procession will then accompany the remains of Madam Egumah to her final resting place on Friday, 29 September, 2023 at No. 26 Royal Avenue, Oro-Ekpor Road, where she will be laid to rest in a peaceful and dignified ceremony.