Delta, Uduaghan Mourn As Ofili Is interred
BEVERLY HILLS, September 05, (THEWILL) – Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and top government officials of the state could not hide their emotions as the remains of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Sunny Ofilii was interred Friday in Asaba.
The funeral rites of the late Ofili, one of the pioneers of online journalism in Nigeria, which began on Thursday with a service of songs at Issele-Azagba climaxed on Friday with a valedictory State Executive Council session at the Unity Hall, funeral service at the Dominion Christian Centre and eventual interment at his Asaba residence.
Dr Uduaghan who had presided over the valedictory session while speaking at the funeral service described the death of Ofili as a personal loss, saying, “I believe after the wife and children, I am most hit by his (Sunny Ofili's) death.”
“Over the years, I have learnt to control my anger but on the day he died, I was very angry over the circumstances of his death. I asked myself why Sunny entered that vehicle. He did not need to embark on that journey,” he said.
The Governor urged Nigerians to pray against being at the wrong place at the wrong time noting, “When you wake up in the morning, pray not to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, pray against associating with the wrong people and pray against being dragged along with the wrong people at the wrong time.”
Dr. Uduaghan explained that the valedictory session was observed in honour of the deceased because, “he was an active member of this executive council, his contributions were very valuable and I want to assure members of his family that government will be there for them.”
Bishop Ken Ebolum of Dominion Christian Centre in a sermon said, “Delta State has been robbed with the death of this man, the idea of having an ICT park which other states will come and copy from in Delta State has suffered a setback with his death.”
He urged Christians to be prayerful and always put their trust in God and prayed against untimely death in Delta State.
Also speaking at the valedictory session, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Chike Ogeah recounted his relationship with Ofili and described him as someone who loved his family passionately and had no place for grudges against his fellow man.
The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation in the state, Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu on her part described the late Ofili as “very humble, respectful and calm.”
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Mike Okeme said, “our friend was a grassroots man, meek, humble, respectful, a great listener and an achiever,” adding, “he was a family man and his care for his family is second to none.”