By: Ike Philip Abiagom
Edo State stood still on Thursday,14th February,2025 as eminent Nigerians from all walks of life thronged the usually quiet town of Afuze, the administrative headquarters of Owan East Local Government Area of the state to pay their last respects to the late Mrs Ikeke Helen Ogedengbe, whose remains were interred at the Ogedengbe royal family compound.
The colourful ceremony brought together her children, sons and daughters in-law, relatives, friends and well-wishers who came from near and wide to bid her farewell and pay their last respects.
Mama Ogedengbe lived a life of purpose. She was a mother, grandmother and a friend to many. Though her demise came to many as a shock, but mama was indeed a virtuous woman.
She was loved by the people of Afuze town and her sterling straightforward, honest, trustworthiness and kindness distinguished her among her peers in the town.
Mama Ogedengbe, who passed away on at the age of 101 after a brief illness, left her good footprints for her children.
Afuze community, the venue of her funeral, was agog with crème de la crème of society who came to pay their last respects. At the funeral were top political leaders, businessmen and women, captains of industry, and other eminent Nigerians from all walks of life, who converged on the hitherto quiet town to give a grand royal funeral service to the late matriarch of the Ogedengbe family.
For many, it was a celebration of life of the Centenarian, who gave her all and served her people, Mama Ogedengbe was the Grandmother-in-law of Pastor Idowu Okeze and the grand mother of Pastor (Mrs ) Gloria Okeze, the wife of Pastor Okeze.
She was also survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her funeral service was held at Afuze and she lived a life of humility and commitment to the service of God.
Mrs Okeze disclosed that her grand mother lived an impactful life, adding that Nigerians should love one another by being charitable towards the promotion of humanity.
According to her, Nigerians should wholeheartedly embrace God in their daily lives by shunning anything capable of severing their relationship with God. It was a day for torrents of tributes as eminent Nigerians, family and friends hailed the contributions of the deceased to the welfare of mankind. I know that we feel pains, particularly members of the family but let us be comforted as she made her mark in life and she was a woman that made a great difference.
“She was someone who spent her life serving God and humanity and was one of those mothers who inspired me in life.
In his tribute at the funeral , Pastor Idowu Okeze eulogised the deceased for her invaluable service and significant contributions toward advancing the cause of humanity.
Okeze hailed the late Mama Ikeke Helen Ogedengbe for her love and compassion for humanity, saying she had left an indelible imprint on society.
He described the matriarch of the Ogedenge family as a woman who spent her life serving God and humanity.
“Mama was a mother to all and I am truly part of the family because I do remember her commitment to her family and she was always there for us.
“She was a mother to the poor, eyes to the blind and leg to the lame and she did so much to impact humanity,” Okeze explained. He urged the family members not to weep but to rejoice because their mother led a life of great impact and left indelible legacies. At the reception, guests were entertained in several marquees, including the home of Ogedengbe, who threw his doors open to host the mammoth crowd.
Lauding her resourcefulness and passion for excellence, Okeze said: “Reading Mama’s story, she just reminds all of us of how we were brought up with those values of diligence, of compassion for the community and integrity – the way she brought up and committed to the larger family, the Edo family, the family of humanity and serving God relentlessly till the end of the day.
“So, those are the values and those are assets that we must always pay attention to and associate with and you can also see it in her children.
“They’ve gone on to be very successful in life and also made friends from all over.
Engr. Peter Nwases, described her as a woman with humanity, adding that she cared about people. To the bereaved family, he charged them to “take it in good faith because that is the work of God and they should continue to pray for her.
“They should build on the legacy that she left behind because her legacy is very important and that is caring for the people.”
Among other dignitaries present are Hon. Onyesis Okeze, Chief Austin Ndinwa,(Okemili Igbuzo), Mr Micheal Okonkwo, and members of Okeze family members and friends from Ibusa.
