Says Perception About Ijaw Female Burial Rites Changed
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has
eulogised his late mother as a virtuous woman who taught her children love and
unity.
He however lamented that she did not live long enough
to reap the fruits of her exemplary life and to see the transformation in her
community.
Madam Rose Diri died
on her birthday on May 15, 2013 at the age of 74.
Speaking during her 12th memorial thanksgiving at
Ayamasa community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state on Thursday,
Governor Diri said his mum inculcated Christian virtues in her children that
impacted their lives positively.
He also spoke on how his perception about the burial
rites of married women in Ijawland changed over time.
According to him, his mother's home was open to all,
whether friends or visitors.
His words: "I can see my mother in the mould of
the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. My mother had the fear of God and raised all
of us up that way. Whatever we manifest today were virtues she inculcated in
us.
“Today marked 12 years we lost our beloved mother on
May 15, 2013. Every of my friend was a son to her as she opened her hands to
everybody that she came across. She exuded goodwill and love to anyone.
"That was why even among us as children, you
could not distinguish who was a direct son or daughter of my mother among us.
All my father’s children grew under her and she treated everyone as her
children. So the family was united from then till date.
She taught us how to love one another.
“My only regret, sadness and pain are that she did not
live long enough to reap the fruits of her labour."
The Bayelsa helmsman also stated that he now had a
better understanding of the wisdom
behind the Ijaw custom of burying women in their maiden homes, adding that the
practice had made him to visit and interact with his maternal home after her
demise.
“Before I became governor, I did not understand why in
Ijawland, after a married woman’s demise, her remains were brought back to her
maiden community instead of her husband’s place. I was against it and I thought
that if God gave me the opportunity like I am today, I would present a bill to
the assembly to reverse that custom of our people.
"But today, I know better because the tradition
made me now come to my mother's home. It has made me continue to interact with
my mother's people. I have come to see the wisdom in that custom of the old
Ijaw people. I have no regrets that we are in Ayamasa to remember our beloved
mother."
In his sermon, Bishop of the Northern Izon Diocese of
the Anglican Church, Funkuro Amgbare, who represented the Bishop of the Western
Izon Diocese of the Anglican Church, Rt Rev Ebipadei Okporu, said there was
life after death and admonished all to live
righteously in order to inherit the new heaven and earth.
The bishop said the late mother of the governor was a
committed member of the Anglican Church, who ensured that her children were
brought up in the tenets of the church.
According to him, she was hospitable and loved those
who served God.
Highpoints of the programme was the laying of a wreath
at her tomb by the governor accompanied by his wives, Dr Gloria and Justice
Patience and other members of the family.
Present at the event were the Bayelsa State Deputy
Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, House of Representatives members, Hon
Marie Ebikake (Nembe/ Brass Federal Constituency) and Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/
Ekeremor Federal Constituency) respectively.
Others were Bayelsa State lawmakers, former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Dr. Matthew Seiyefa, outgoing business mogul, High Chief Victor Wayles, FIFA board member, Mr Amaju Pinnick, Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, top government functionaries, among others.
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