Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, OON, on Friday joined other dignitaries at the funeral service of late Mrs. Felicia Oritseolumewo Arenyeka, mother of the Delta State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Solomon Arenyeka.
The funeral service, held at the First Baptist Church, Warri, attracted prominent political leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, family members, friends and sympathisers who gathered to honour the deceased and commiserate with the Arenyeka family.
Among those who attended were the wife of the Deputy Governor, Lady Catherine Onyeme; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas; Senator Ede Dafinone; Hon. Nicholas Mutu; Hon. Francis Waive; Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru; former Governor of Delta State, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Obielum; and other notable political and public figures.
Also present was the former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, who joined other dignitaries in honouring the deceased and supporting the bereaved family.
In his exhortation titled, “Life’s Practical Challenges to Christians and Office Holders,” the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Warri, Rev. Jesse Okoroji Jnr., said the funeral was not only an occasion to mourn the deceased but also an opportunity to celebrate a life that positively impacted her family, church and community.
Describing the late Mrs. Arenyeka as “a woman of songs,” the cleric said her life reflected beauty, inspiration and positive influence, adding that the values she embodied would continue to resonate with those she left behind.
He urged Christians and public office holders to recognise the practical challenges associated with life, leadership and service, stressing the importance of humility, steadfastness, integrity and faithfulness in the discharge of responsibilities.
Rev. Okoroji also commended Governor Oborevwori for what he described as significant development strides across Delta State, particularly the ongoing transformation of Warri through urban renewal and infrastructure projects.
He specifically praised the Governor’s Warri Urban Transformation Programme, citing the construction of flyovers, bridges and other critical infrastructure as evidence of the administration’s commitment to repositioning the city.
According to him, the ongoing projects were giving Warri a new outlook, likening the emerging transformation to the development witnessed in Dubai.
The pastor urged Governor Oborevwori to sustain the momentum and continue his efforts toward repositioning Warri and the entire state for sustainable development and economic prosperity.
He also appreciated the Governor for his intervention on the Warri-Sapele-Benin Highway, while appealing to the contractor handling the project to accelerate the pace of work.
He said the completion of the highway project would provide significant relief to motorists, commuters and residents who depend on the road as a major transportation corridor.
Rev. Okoroji further commended Governor Oborevwori for the prevailing peace in Delta State, praying that the atmosphere of peace, unity and security would continue to prevail across the state.
He stressed that meaningful and sustainable development could only thrive in an environment where peace and security were guaranteed.
The funeral service offered the dignitaries and mourners an opportunity to reflect on the inevitability of death, the responsibilities that come with leadership and the enduring legacy of a life well lived.
The late Mrs. Arenyeka was remembered as a devoted woman whose values, character and contributions left lasting impressions on her family, church and community.
The gathering also provided an avenue for political leaders across party lines to unite in mourning and extend their condolences to Chief Solomon Arenyeka and the entire Arenyeka family over the loss of their matriarch.
