Wayas, Anenih Condole With Imoke Over Mother's Demise

Calabar, Oct 12, (THEWILL) - Nigeria’s politicians of note have continued to identify with Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and commiserate with him over the death of his mother, Mrs. Comfort Imoke.

Among those who called on Monday to condole with him at the Governor’s Lodge, Calabar, were the 2nd Republic Senate President, Senator Joseph Wayas (GCON) and the Chairman Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South, Chief Tony Anenih.

Wayas, who called earlier, remarked that there are always two days in a man’s life and that he can testify that losing a mother is one of the most painful things in any body’s life, adding that "Mama is gone but her warmth shall live for ever" and thanked God that she lived old enough to see the fruit of her labour.

The elder statesman wished she should have stayed a bit longer but condoled Imoke that he should take heart as he has grown older while his mother had achieved her purpose on earth, explaining that he called personally, on behalf of himself, wife and members of his family, because the death is a great loss to the state as words sent through a letter would not be enough to express the grief.

Responding, Governor Imoke on behalf of the Imoke family, described Wayas as a distinguished leader of Nigeria noting that his visit and kind words would go a long way to soothe their feelings as they go through this period of bereavement while thanking God for the life of their mother.

Imoke said they would take comfort and solace from the visit which was a reflection of the life she lived and promised to keep him informed of the obsequies.

Chief Anenih said though there was no notice of her illness, he was happy that she lived a fulfilled life and that she brought up her children in an honourable manner, stating that it is the wish of every parent that their children should bury them.

Photo: Chief Tony Anenih speaking during his visit to condole with Governor Imoke on the demise of his mother.

Adding that she had a respectable person like Governor Liyel Imoke as son and that he is one of the two persons people always look up to for solutions when national issues are discussed, which he attributed to the upbringing he received from his mother.

The one time Minister of Works under President Olusegun Obasanjo as well as former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) PDP, who was accompanied by a two time Military Governor and former Minister of Defense, General Godwin Abbey, assured Imoke that they were behind him in his period of grief and that he should be informed of every detail of the obsequies to enable him brief President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that he expressed the sympathy of the leaders of South-South, leaders of Edo State and Abuja.

Governor Liyel Imoke in his response, described the visit as special because his mother was from Edo State and that the condolence from his in-laws was gratifying for the family because it is family and friends that give them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

He thanked them for the visit and support and requested that they continue to keep the family in their prayers and that the Almighty should receive her souls.