Tears, Overflowing Emotions At The PHCCIMA Night Of Tributes/Service Of Songs In Honour Of Late Renny Hearty Cookey

By Anderson Hart

It was a night of mixed emotions, tears and grief at the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Tribute Night/Service of Songs in honour of its late first Deputy President, Dr Renny Hearty Cookey who died in the most indiscernible circumstance earlier in July.

The well attended event which attracted creme de la creme of the society also had in attendance the young, old, captains of industry, huge political figures, the intelligentsia and of course the huge presence of members of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce. The crowd was indeed an eloquent reflection of a man loved by virtually all section of society.

Guest started arriving as early as 6pm to pay their respect and celebrate a noble gentleman who lived an exemplary life. The atmosphere of the Grace Event Center were the event was held was colourful but the mood was that of pain with a massive banner of the Late first Deputy President at the spectacle of the hall.

In his remark, an emotionally laden President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Engr. Emeka Unachukwu said 'Today we mourn the collossal loss of our brother, friend colleague, President to be and above all a good man, late Dr. Renny Hearty Cookey; we cry and mourn because a very big tree has fallen' he said, adding that the chamber has lost a strong pillar whose contributions to the growth of the organization has been monumental. 'Cookey has achieved success and has spared nothing in churning out his best for the chamber including in all organization he was opportune to serve during his sojourn here on earth, we will greatly miss him' he was quoted as saying.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, Prof. Wilson who spoke on behalf of Opobo Community and the family expressed appreciation over the kind support of PHCCIMA in putting together such a huge event in his honour. He also thanked Port-Harcourt Club 1928, Port Harcourt Polo Club, Rotary Club Port-Harcourt GRA where he was slated to be inducted as President a week to his death, expressing gratitude.


The first Bible reading from the book of Job 14: 1-10 was taken by the widow of the late Dr. Renny Hearty Cookey, Mrs. Eva Cookey.The atmosphere was made more solemn with renditions from the Port Harcourt Exquisite Choir, while prayers and Hymns were offered for the repose of his soul.

In his sermon, Pastor Ayo Ola Fashola from the Recovery House Church in Port-Harcourt emphasized the need for man to adopt the Phenomenum and three concept of death.

According to him the first death is immortal, when the spirit will leave the body, second is psychology death where man loses his honour and the third spiritual death. He advised the people to ensure that they die in Christ saying that was the only thing that guarantees life after death.

Meanwhile, as a kind of tribute, brief speeches were offered among them one from PHCCIMA offered by a past President, Elder Hyke Ochia who described the late Cookey as a friend whose death came as shock. While commisserating with the family he prayed God to give his wife, children and all he left behind the fenablement to bear the painful death. Dr. Bala Cookey also gave a speech on behalf of the family, while Amaopusenibo Bobo Brown gave a speech on behalf of Port-Harcourt club 1928 and Tony Sodje for Port-Harcourt Polo club. Others who gave brief speeches in his honour include, Rotary club Port-Harcourt GRA, the Community, staffs of Reneva international LTD and other representatives.

The National Chamber of Commerce, NACCIMA gave her remark through Alhaji Bala saying the late Hearty Cookey believed in humanity and worked towards an effective service delivery. He described him as a trustworthy fellow, adding that hid death is not a loss to PHCCIMA alone, but to the Nation's apex Chamber also. He prayed God to grant the family the divine fortitude to bear the lost. A funeral service is expected to hold on Thursday July 24that the Port Harcourt Club before interment in Port Harcourt.