The burial ceremony of Chief Okekiri Azosibewei Iyelagha, the Fungewei of Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu local government area of Delta State has been slated for Friday April 22, 2022.
Daily Report Nigeria gathered that the revered community leader died in the early hours of February 3, 2022 following a brief illness.
According to the family, a service of songs at his resident in Amukpe, Sapele on Wednesday April 20, will kick-start activities for the burial.
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He would be conveyed to his hometown Ogulagha for lying in state on Friday April 22, while a thanksgiving service would follow on Sunday April 24 at the RCCC parish in Ogulagha.
The late octogenarian is survived by nine (9) Children, sixteen (16) Grand Children and three (3) Great grand Children.
BIOGRAPHY
Chief Okekiri Azosibewei Iyelagha was born on the 15th of January 1938 in Ogulagha Town. He was seventh child and the fourth son in the families of Late Mr. Iyelagha Yougonren of Obuko quarters and Mr. Ebiyaibo of Dase quarters both of Ogulagha Town in Ogulagha Kingdom in Burutu Local government area of Delta State.
In the quest for educational pursuit, he was taken to lagos by his maternal uncle Mr.Olokpa Ogokeme where in attended Baptist Primary School, Lagos between 1950 – 1956 and obtained the Standard Six Certificate.
He later obtained a diploma certificate in General Education from Bennett Correspondence College at Sheffield in England between 1959 – 1962.
Chief Iyelagha returned to Nigeria and was employed at the Federal Department of Fisheries in Lagos between 1964 – 1969 as a deckhand where he rose to become a quarter master.
He got married to his beloved wife Late Mrs. Henrietta Karibai Youduba in 1968.
He joined Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources, Port Harcourt between 1969 – 1976 where he worked in different roles.
In year 1976, he left Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources and joined Pennington River Fishing Company Ltd, Port Harcourt and worked as Director/Captain and was responsible for equipment purchase and company development strategy.
Because of his vast productive knowledge and success in the fisheries industry, he was offered the position of Assistant Fleet manager in Nigerian National Shrimp company Sapele in 1978 and rose to become the Fleet Manager.
He retired from public service in 1988 and opened his own company (Azo-Okia Enterprises) and where he worked as the Managing Director.
Papa had a social personality and was open to all. He worked and served Ogulagha community and Ogulagha Kingdom in different capacities.
He was the Secretary of Ogulagha Kingdom Council (OKC) and due to his dedication and service to his people was given a Chieftaincy title ‘’ The Fungewei of Ogulagha Kingdom on the 12th of November 2005 by the Paramount ruler Torububou 1 ( Agbonu), The Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom H.R.M Elder Capt Joseph I. Timiyan (JP).
To his friends and family, Papa was a man of integrity, very social, honest, humble, reliable and disciplined person.
Papa accepted Christ and got baptized in Church of Christ, Amukpe – Sapele in 2017.
Papa passed away on the early hours of 3rd February 2022, He lived a fulfilled life and positively touched the lives of many.
Papa is survived by nine (9) Children, sixteen (16) Grand Children and three (3) Great grand Children.
Papa will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
Adieu Papa until we meet to part no more.
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