STORY/PHOTOS: When Utuama, Ewherido, Ochei , Others Storm Oma Djebah’s Father-in-Law Burial Ceremony
O (L-R) Speaker Delta House of Assembly Rt. Hon Victor Ochei, Mr and Mrs Oma Djebah, Delta State Deputy Governor Prof Amos Utuama and Political Adviser to Delta State Governor, Chief Fred Majemite
On Saturday, April 27th, 2013, Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Foreign Matters to Delta State Governor, Hon Oma Djebah celebrated the passing on of his father-in-law Chief Ndego Emede at Ebedie in Ukuani LGA, Delta State. Oghenekevwe Laba who was at the event reported the activities both in text and pictures that tell the story
Excerpts
(L-R) Mrs Kewe Djebah, Speaker Delta State House of Assembly RT Hon Victor Ochei and Hon Oma Djeba
Chief Peter Ndego Omede, 90 years, must be smiling in where ever he is presently after the recent successful celebration of his burial ceremony at Ebedei, Ukwani Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State. The burial ceremony tagged, “Celebration of Life” stood by his meaning as personalities which cut across party affiliation, ethnicity and of course social strata attended the occasion to celebrate with the Omede’s family over the demise of their lovely, humanitarian and industrious father.
(R-L) Senator Pus Ewherido, Hon Prince Johnson Erijo and Chief Godswill Obielum
The sight of personalities who attended the burial ceremony was overwhelming. Despite the beehives of activities lined up across the state on that day, dignitaries which include Deputy Governor of Delta State, Professor Amos Utuama (SAN), Representative of Delta Central Senatorial District in the Federal House of Senate, Senator Pius Ewherido, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Ochei, Representatives of the Minister of State for Defence, Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Stalwart Chief Godswill Obielum and Political Adviser to Delta State Governor, Chief Fred Majemite took time to celebrate the burial ceremony with their bosom friend, an international journalist and Senior Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Foreign Relation Hon Oma Djebah.
(L-R) Hon. Romanus Mabuagwu Chaiman Anioma South LGA, Princess Okunonke Chairman Ika North-East LGA, Hon Oma Djeba and Hon Chinwe Olarewaju Chairman Oshimili South LGA
Others present at the occasion were Adviser to Delta State Governor on NDDC Matters, Chief Jaro Mavudu Egbo, Media Adviser to Deputy Speaker, House of Representative, Mr Oke Epia, Member Delta State House of Representative, Chief Talib Tebitie, Interim Chairman Oshimili South LGA, Hon Chinwe Olanrewaju, Chairman Ika North East LGA, Princess Okunonke, Chairman Anioma South LGA Hon Romanus Mabuogu and Chief Emmanuel Okumagba (JP) among others.
(L-R) Navy Capt Julius Nwagu representing Minister of State for Defence and Chief Emmanuel Okumagba, the Owhorotu of Okere-Urhobo
Late Pa Omede who died on March, 2013 was born at UmueZiogoli , Ebedie of Ukwani LGA, Delta State in 1923 where he underwent his primary education and later became a copy typist in Turkish Embassy, Lagos.
Hon Oma Djeba (left) dancing with a baby dancer along with a well wisher
Pa Omede who later became a Debt Collector to R.T Briscoe, BlackWood Hodge, Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Airways among others diverted into oil and gas in the mid eighties. Other companies established and managed by him were Omebam Lines and Omede Transport Company.
(L-R)Chief James, Dr G.G. Darah Ex_Chief of Staff Delta State Govt House and Hon Mathew Akporayen, former Ughelli South LGA Chairman
Pa Omede had two wives and twelve children from both wives. Report had it that he was so much in love with Oma Djebah who is married to one of his daughter Kewejiokume Harmony that he referred to him as one of his sons.
It was no surprise that after his demise, Oma Djebah who was Delta State Commissioner of Information in the first term of Uduaghan’s government took it upon himself to give his adopted father a befitting burial ceremony.
Cross section of women from Okwagbe community
Speaking to Urhobotoday, elated Oma Djebah said he and the family were happy because they are celebrating the burial of their father who had lived a memorable life and died at the age of ninety.
According to him, “The prayer of everybody is to live up to eighty years. For my father-in-law, he did not only live up to eighty years, but up to ninety years. So it was a celebration of life.”
(L-R) Ogorolise Omede and Pastor Olise Omede children of Late Pa Omede
Responding to question on how he rated his late father-in-law, Djebah has this to say, “He showered love and gift. You know he was a community leader and generous man. When he had a petrol station in this area many years ago he gave out petrol free to the people of the community. He brought electricity to this area. You know what is light? He was a man who saw tomorrow and he did great things before he left. Although Papa has gone, he is always with us in prayer.
(L-R) Mr Oke Epia Media Adviser to Deputy Speaker House of House of Representative, Mr Paul Evuarherhe Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Mr Shedrack Ekpekerede Senior Adviser Caninet Office
“His Soul should rest in perfect peace. His wise counsel should be put to use. He has always believed in ethnic harmony and ethnic unity. He gave out his daughters to Urhobos even though he is an Ukwani man. His grand-daughters were married to Yorubas. He lived in Lagos for so many years. He was the President of Ukwani Society. He was the first Ukwani community man to own and drive a car in 1952. My advice to the family members is that they should build on his legacy.
Senior son of PP Djeba, ,Mr Fred Djeba and his wife
“You can see the larger turn out today. I cannot express the joy in me when I saw huge attendance of personalities in the event. There are so many activities in this state today. But, still, personalities came here to show their love for Papa.”
(L-R) Hon Oma Djebah, Mrs Kewe Djebah and Representative Of Minister of Defence Navy Capt Juius Uwagu
