Nelly Utuama Was A Virtuous Woman - Okowa

 

...Okowa, Ibori And Uduaghan Displayed Unbroken Bond At Her Funeral Service.

By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe.

#eacgovdelta 

Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on Thursday paid glowing tribute to the good virtues of the late wife of former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Dr (Mrs) Tuwere Nelly Utuama, urging parents to focus on proper upbringing of their children.

The governor attended the funeral mass of the deceased with his wife and Delta first lady, Dame Evangelist Edith Okowa, at St Andrew's Catholic Church, Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state. 

He asserted that decadence in society will be drastically reduced if parents spend quality time to inculcate sound moral values in their children and raise them in accordance with biblical injunctions, adding that late Mrs Nelly Otuama, did just that, which is why her children are successful, upright in character and well grounded in spiritual matters.

It is a truism to say that parents are a child's first teachers and role models. They are responsible for shaping up the child's behavior and implementing positive values in them. Children listen, observe and imitate their parents.  

The governor strongly believe that Instilling and inculcating good values in a child will in future make him or her a good person and a better citizen.

Okowa, also recognised the deceased as a community woman leader who was very passionate about the development of Otokutu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, and promised to take up some projects to further develop the area, and in recognition of  Mrs Otuama's inestimable love for her immediate community, before the cold hands of death snatched her way.

He noted that late Mrs Utuama lived a life of faith in Christ, commitment to the church and the community, and had obviously inculcated that in her children.

Okowa urged parents not to relent in their genuine efforts to guide children to success, just as the late Tuwere Utuama sacrificed so much to make her children great in life. 

"On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I again condole with the family of Professor Amos Utuama on the demise of his wife, Dr Tuwere Nelly Utuama. 

"When we heard about her death, it was very painful to us because she was very close to God and I had seen the family committed to building for God. 

"I feel very fulfilled that she put her faith to practice because Prof. Utuama couldn't have done all he did for the church and humanity without the assistance of his beloved wife, Nelly.

"The death of a loved one is always very painful but God is able at every point in time to fill the gap. 

"Sometimes things happen to throw us out of faith but as Christians we must encourage ourselves. 

"May the strength of God continue to lead the children because I believe that she has gone to be with her maker," Okowa said.

Earlier, Catholic Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Rev'd Dr Michael Elue, in his homily, said that the death of a loved one no matter how old was painful and urged the families to take solace in the fact that the dead would rise again. 

He described the late Mrs Utuama as a good mother who dedicated and entrusted her life to God and served as Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) President at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba. 

"We restate our faith through the resurrection of Christ and implore God's mercy towards the deceased. Let us continue to look up to the Lord until He shows us His mercy," the bishop said.

The unbroken bond of brotherly love and quality friendship between governors Okowa, Chief James Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, was visible as the trio showcased their watertight relationships throughout the funeral service for Dr (Mrs) Tuwere Nelly Utuama.

The service was well attended by dignitaries from all walks of life; captains of industry, astute politicians, political appointees as well as elected representatives from the three senatorial districts in the state.