BENIN CITY – The Afemai Language Advisory board on Wednesday mourned the passing away of a former manager of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) under Edo state ministry of health, Mr. John Osikhiana Ikhenebome.
Mr Osikhiana passed away on Monday, 4th April 2022, at the age of 81-years Old.
The board in a statement signed by its chairman, Prof. U.M.O Ivowi described late Osikhiana who hails from Ayogwiri-Uzairue in Etsako-West local government area of Edo state as one with “flair for community development”.
According to the board, late Osikhiana’s mastering of Etsako language endeared him to many.
“Apart from his political activities, he featured very prominently in the broadcast of news in Etsako language in Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) that made the Etsako Language Research and Development Centre to engage him as one of its consultants in the quest to satisfy Edo state Government directive for an Afemai Central Language to be developed for Edo North Senatorial District for teaching and learning in schools in that part of Edo State.”, it stated
The board, set up to advise Etsako Language Research and Development Centre on the development of a Central Language, recalled late Osikhiana could not attend the language Seminar that was held in April last year at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi due to health challenges.
“the opportunity to gain from his wealth of experience in the use of Etsako language is now lost for ever by the shocking announcement of his demise”, the board further stated
Late Osikhiana is survived by children and grandchildren.
