BENIN CITY – The burial ceremony of late Mrs Esther Idahosa, mother of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, climaxed on Sunday with a Special Thanksgiving Service attended by Governor Monday Okpebholo, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion and several other dignitaries in Benin City.
The thanksgiving service, which marked the conclusion of the funeral rites for the late matriarch, was held at Living Faith Church, Sapele Road, Benin City, amid a large gathering of political leaders, government officials, associates, family members, friends and sympathisers from within and outside Edo State.
Governor Okpebholo, who led top government functionaries to the church service, joined the Deputy Governor and members of the Idahosa family in celebrating the life and legacy of the deceased, who passed on at the age of 95.
The Governor’s presence at the event was widely seen as a demonstration of the close relationship between the state leadership and the Deputy Governor, as well as support for the family during the period of mourning and remembrance.
Among dignitaries at the service were former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion; former Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen; the Deputy State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sylvester Aigboboh; members of the Edo State House of Assembly; commissioners in the state executive council; political associates, traditional leaders, clerics and other well-wishers.
The church auditorium was filled with mourners and sympathisers who gathered to honour the memory of the deceased matriarch, described by many as a caring mother, devoted Christian and woman of virtue whose influence extended beyond her immediate family.
Delivering the sermon during the thanksgiving service, Pastor Emmanuel Ebiwoye preached from the Book of Mark 4:11, admonishing Christians to remain steadfast in faith and maintain total trust in God irrespective of life’s challenges and uncertainties.
He reminded worshippers that death remains an inevitable phase of human existence and urged believers to live lives worthy of emulation, stressing that the true legacy of every individual lies in the impact made on humanity while alive.
Special prayers were later offered for the Idahosa family, Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Edo State Government and sustained peace, unity and development in the state.
The thanksgiving service formed the final activity in the burial programme for late Mrs Esther Idahosa, whose passing drew tributes from political leaders, associates and members of the public who described her as a pillar of support to many and a woman whose life reflected humility, discipline and service to humanity.
