Organisers of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament have described the demise of the Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as a rude shock that is difficult to come to terms with.
The organizers of the football tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup, stated this when a team, led by its Deputy Director General, Elder Perela Aboro paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family at the residence of Mr Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, elder brother of the late Deputy Governor.
A statement by the Director of Media, Prosperity Cup, Chris Odi, stated that Elder Lawrence Alabrah, who spoke on behalf of the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, said the Prosperity Cup family received the news of the sudden and untimely passing of the Deputy Governor with profound shock.
According to the statement, Ono Akpe said the demise of Senator Ewhrudjakpo was not only painful but it was a great loss to the immediate Ewhrudjakpo family, Ofoni Federated community as well as the government and people of the state.
Describing the late deputy governor as humble, resourceful and a consummate public servant, Akpe said “this is indeed a sad moment for all Bayelsans, including the Prosperity Cup family.”
The statement further stated that while expressing heartfelt condolences to the late deputy governor’s wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, the Ewhrudjakpo family, Ofoni Federated Community, the state governor, Senator Douye Diri and indeed all Bayelsans, the Director General said the late Ewhrudjakpo was a man whose dedication to duty and service to the state were outstanding.
Akpe urged the family to be strong and to take solace in the fact that it is not how long one lives but one’s impact on the society that counts.
The statement equally stated that while praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, Mr Akpe prayed God to grant the governor of the state, Senator Douye Diri, the Ewhrudjakpo family and people of the state the grace to overcome the painful loss.
Responding on behalf of the family, Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, who is a retired Permanent Secretary, expressed gratitude to the Prosperity Cup team for identifying with the Ewhrudjakpo family at their moment of grief, pointing out that the visit will strengthen members of the family.
He said the family and indeed the whole Ofoni community were in deep shock over the tragic incident, but attributed it to God’s will, adding that painful as it is, “we cannot question God who is the giver and taker of life.”
Noting that the demise of his brother has created a deep void in the family which will be difficult to fill, Chris Ewhrudjakpo called on sympathisers to continue to pray for God to grant the family the strength to bear the irredeemable loss.
Highpoint of the condolence visit was the signing of the condolence register by Elder Lawrence Alabrah.
