-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –Edited By Albert OGRAKA:
DELTANS at home and in the Diaspora were on Thursday, January 28, 2021 woken up to sad news about the demise of two great personalities. First, was the breaking news of the passing of the Majority Leader, Delta State House of Assembly, Barr. Tim Owhefere, then shortly afterwards, another breaking news hit the airwaves of the passing of Pa Arthur Okowa, father of Governor of Delta Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.
Hon. Owhefere, a fourth term lawmaker, representing Isoko North Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) died late night of Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at the Federal Medical Center, Asaba, allegedly from Covid-19 complications.
Meanwhile, the patriarch, Sir Arthur Okowa, father of the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa also died at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba at 87 years after claims of brief medical complications. He was born in 1932 in Owa Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Blank NEWS Online presents some reactions to the painful exit of the duo of Late Sir Arthur Okowa and Late Hon. Tim Owhefere .
Read on:>>>
GOV OKOWA ANNOUNCES FATHER’S DEMISE
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has officially announced the passing away of his father, Sir Okorie Uzoma Arthur Okowa.
What Governor Okowa posted on his social media handles read::
My family and I regret to announce the death of our beloved father, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa, who passed away earlier this morning.
Throughout his lifetime, my father embodied and spread the principles of service to humanity, kindness even in the face of adversity, and trusting in Almighty God.
As we celebrate the life of my late father, I thank God for the 88 wonderful years that my family and I spent with him — and the impact that God allowed him to have on everyone that he came in contact with.
We will miss him dearly.
With love and light Papa, Rest In Peace!
From your son,
Ifeanyi.
BASHORUN ASKIA MOURNS GOV. OKOWA’S FATHER
I received with shock and sadness the passing of Pa Arthur Okowa, father of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Governor of Delta Delta State and patriarch of the family.
I had a privileged relationship with Pa Okowa since coming in contact with him decades ago, during which time I tapped fatherly wisdom.
A teacher, loving father, councilor, lover of God and adviser, Pa Okowa was a father to all who came in contact with him. I am immensely proud to call him a father because he considered me a son too. I thank God for granting him long life, even though we wished he lived longer.
On behalf of my wife and children, I pray to Almighty God to receive the soul of our dear father in His paradise.
I also pray for my leader, Governor Okowa, and the entire Okowa family for the fortitude and grace from the Most High to bear this painful loss.
Signed:
Bashorun Askia Ogieh
Managing Director/CEO
DESOPADEC
OKOWA MOURNS DELTA HOUSE LEADER, TIM OWHEFERE:
Delta Governor, Senator (Dr). Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden demise of the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Mr Tim Owhefere.
Owhefere passed on Wednesday night after a brief illness at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, at 57.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Thursday in Asaba, the governor described Owhefere, who until his demise, represented Isoko North constituency, as a committed, hardworking, patriotic and thorough-bred lawmaker” who served the state and his constituents diligently.
He said that the deceased lawmaker would be long remembered for his outstanding humility, patriotism and commitment in handling the affairs of the Assembly as House Leader from 2015
“The late Tim Owhefere died when his services to the state and nation were most needed.
“We mourn our fallen lawmaker who gave his best in service to God and humanity.
“He was a committed and hardworking legislator, who championed the course of his people of Isoko in particular and the state,” the governor said.
He added that Owhefere was a “cerebral lawmaker with enviable competence and a pride to the legislative institution’’, saying that Delta would miss the competence, dexterity and sagacity of the renowned lawmaker.
He said since the emergence of Owhefere as the Majority Leader of the House, he did not leave any one in doubt as to his capacity to handle matters of development and progress of the state.
“Owhefere brought his vast knowledge, experience and worthy ideals to bear in the discharge of the functions of his office as House Leader.
“It is on record that the good and harmonious working relationship between the Executive and Legislature in the State was attributable to his ability to navigate the contours of the Assembly as its Leader.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, i send my profound commiseration to the Right Honourable Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, members of the House, the people of Isoko North Constituency and the entire Isoko nation over the demise of Tim Kome Owhefere.
“As we mourn his passage, may Almighty God give his family, Akiewhe-Owhe community, friends, constituents and associates the fortitude to bear the loss,” the governor stated.
DELTA SPEAKER, OBOREVWORI , BEMOANS SUDDEN DEATH OF MAJORITY LEADER , OWHEFERE::
It is with heavy heart that I received the shocking and devastating news of the sudden passing of the Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Tim Kome Owhefere KSC, on Wednesday 27th January, 2021. I am broken by his demise.
While I commiserate with the wife, children, family, friends and associates, I have lost a dependable colleague, quintessential lawmaker and a friend. Again, my heart goes out to the Isoko nation for this huge loss.
My colleague, Hon Owhefere died when his vast and expansive legislative experiences were most needed. He has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill. While I take solace in the works and memorable moments we spent together as fellow lawmakers, I will forever remember his commitment to duties and loyalty to friendship.
No doubt, this is a difficult moment for his constituents- Isoko North State Constituency. We should endeavour to keep his laudable achievements alive rather than question the circumstances of his death. It is an act of God painfully though but cannot be questioned.
Adieu Majority Leader
of our times!
Rt Hon (Chief) Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori (JP) , FICMC
Speaker DTHA
FEDERAL LAWMAKER LAMENTS DEMISE OF DTHA MAJORITY LEADER, OWHEFERE:
The member representing Isoko Federal Constituency in the Lower Chambers of the National Assembly (NASS), the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leo Ogor, has conveyed his condolences to the family of the late Majority Leader and member representing Isoko north State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Barr. Tim Owhefere, over his death.
Rt. Hon. Ogor, in his condolence message through his Senior Legislative Aide, Akpodhoma Michael Ajirioghene, noted that he received the news of Owhefere’s demise with shock.
According to him, “Today, I received with shock and sadness, news of the passing away of my dear brother and friend, Hon. Tim Kome Owhefere, Majority Leader, Delta State House of Assembly and member representing my immediate state constituency, who joined his maker at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba on Wednesday night.
“With deep pains, I extend the heartfelt condolences of my family and the entire Isoko Federal Constituency, to his dear wife, children, family, Speaker and Members of the Delta State House of Assembly and all of us in Isoko North State Constituency.
Rt. Hon. Ogor, in his condolence message through his Senior Legislative Aide, Akpodhoma Michael Ajirioghene, noted that he received the news of Owhefere’s demise with shock.
According to him, “Today, I received with shock and sadness, news of the passing away of my dear brother and friend, Hon. Tim Kome Owhefere, Majority Leader, Delta State House of Assembly and member representing my immediate state constituency, who joined his maker at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba on Wednesday night.
“With deep pains, I extend the heartfelt condolences of my family and the entire Isoko Federal Constituency, to his dear wife, children, family, Speaker and Members of the Delta State House of Assembly and all of us in Isoko North State Constituency.
REACTIONS OVER OWHEFERE’S DEMISE FROM ISOKO NATION:
The President General of the social cultural organization of Isoko Nation, Isoko Development Union (IDU), Dr. Chris Akpotu has described the sudden demise of Hon. Tim Owhefere as ‘shocking and horrendous emotional attack on Isoko Nation’.
He noted that Owhefere influenced the development of Isoko Nation as one of the political leaders in the area, adding that the demise has created a vacuum and prayed God to grant his soul rest.
Also reacting to the sudden demise of Hon. Tim Owhefere, is the patron of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe.
He said, the death of the former Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly is a shock to Isoko people.
Amadhe described Owhefere as ‘big political Iroko,’ noting that Isoko people will never forget him for the development of the area.
He added that Owhefere Influenced major projects in Isoko North local government area particularly, Ellu, Okpe-Isoko, Ofagbe and Ada road project under construction.
“He was a pillar and senior political leader in the development of Isoko Nation, we pray to God for his soul to rest in peace”, Amadhe said.
On his part, the immediate past chairman of Isoko South local government area, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo said, ” I lost a brother, ally and friend. Isoko has lost a good voice and will be greatly missed”.
Also High Chief Dennis Etaluku said, the demise of Hon. Owhefere is a set back, painful and huge loss to Isoko Nation.
“Owhefere was calm, cool and happy person. I pray for another good leader to fill the vacuum and God to grant the repose of his soul” Etaluku said.
In a similar move, President General of Emevor Progress Union (EPU), Sir Agboro Moses said, “May his soul rest in peace in the bossom of the Lord and may God grant the family (immediate and politics) the fortitude to bear this loss. A great loss to Isoko Nation indeed.”
Also, the President of I. D. U Asaba Branch, Mr Karo G Ovemesu led members to pay condolence visit on the family of Honourable Tim Owefere.
DELTA PDP EXPRESSES SHOCK OVER HON. TIM OWHEFERE’S DEMISE, CONDOLES WITH FAMILY, DTHA, CONSTITUENTS:
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has expressed profound shock and sadness over the death of its party faithful and Majority Leader in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Tim Kome Owhefere, Esq.
Hon. Owhefere, representing Isoko North in the House of Assembly died at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where he was receiving treatment.
Commiserating with the family, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and members of the House, the PDP family in Isoko North and the good people of Isoko North, the PDP in a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza stated that the late Majority Leader was a loyal party man and leader, who exemplified all that is good in a politician and ardent representative of his people in the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly.
“His skill and deft political moves that has helped in the peaceful and smooth running of the affairs of the House, and especially in its relationship with the Executive Arm of Government has been superlative, and this will surely be missed with his sudden demise.
“Hon Tim Owhefere was an assiduous workman, who believed in ensuring the well being of his constituents; a team player, loyal party member, one that believes in party supremacy; and exerted himself in working for peace and tranquility. The PDP in Delta State has lost a gem; we shall surely miss his wisdom and experience,” Dr. Osuoza stated.
He condoled with the family and members of the State House of Assembly, his constituents in Isoko North, and prayed that God will give them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Rest In Peace, Sir Tim Owhefere!
Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza,
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.
