By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
It began like a carnival, yet it was not, but a gathering of friends, well wishers, relatives and loved ones, who had come from far and wide to join their friend, academia, lawmaker, and administrator par excellence, in the celebration of life of an accomplished father, grandfather and community leader, so endowed with wits, good health, and diligence by God, but decided to release his tally to him to allow him depart from this world to join Him after exhausting 102 years on earth.
Perhaps it’s the reason why the funeral rites of late Pa Michael Mboh Odey, almost turned to celebration of life and not death, with men and women of honour – creme de la cream – showing up to participate in funeral rites, which attracted many from far and near to pay those last honour to the great man – late Chief Odey – a husband to six wives, father to 30 children and grandfather to 90 grand children.
The funeral was flooded with top notch politicians, captains of industry, opinion moulders, policy makers, movers and shakers of the nation’s political sector, men and women of honour.
Among National Assembly lawmakers who joined Senator Odey to celebrate life of his late father, who family members said had gone to join his creator, were: Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; a lawmaker from Bayelsa Central senatorial district and the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, Senator Cleopas Zuwoghe, who described Senator Odey’s father as a humble and great man.
Others includes: the governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu and his wife, Rev. Mrs. Eyoawan Bassey Otu; the state deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; Cross River South senatorial district senator, Asuquo Ekpenyong, the immediate past governor, Senator Ben Ayade; one time senator representing Cross River North and constitutional lawyer, Senator Kanu Agabi SAN; and one time Cross River State governor, Dr. Clement Ebri.
Also in attendance to pay last homage to the departed centenarian were: National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Betta Edu; state chairman of the APC, Alphonsus Eba, Senator Nicolas Tofowomo, aming many others.
The Cross River State governor, Senator Prince Otu described described the late Chief Odey as a good man who did all that he could to raise his children.
He said, “This is evident from the testimonies of people who were touched by his generosity and commitment to the growth and development of his community.”
Otu averred that the memory of a good man is a blessing and advísed those he left behind to be consoled by the fact that late Chief Odey left a good example which all must strive to emulate.
Otu and his wife charged the family of the deceased to be encouraged by the fact that late Odey led an exemplary life, rendering service to God and humanity.
On his part, the state deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Odey prayed God to provide opportunity for Senator Odey to find solace in the beautiful memories late Chief Odey created during his lifetime, remember the love, wisdom and guidance that he provide to you and the siblings, and honour his legacies by holding on to the values he held dear.
The immediate past governor of Cross River State, Senator Ayade, stated that he knows Senator Odey must have been so grieved over the loss of a dear father, stressing that he shares in his pains.
The former governor admonished Odey and the family left behind by the deceased to “learn to live with the loss, because death is inevitable for all mortals.
“I’m indeed gladdened that your father lived a quality life and exited at the ripe age of 102.
“This rare longevity is reserved for only a few in this generation we are in and I join you and your entire family in thanking God for his life having lived up to this ripe age.”
Also peaking, one-time governor of Cross River State, Dr. Ebri, CON, said, “Chief Odey’s remarkable journey spanning an impressive 102 years bears an eloquent testimony of his fortitude, resilience and the profound impact he has had on those around him.
“There is no iota of doubt in my mind that his rich legacy will ensure as an inspiration for generations to come.”
According to Senator Abaribe the late Chief Odey lived a good life as a father and devoted christian.
The law maker averred that his death is a celebration of life and that his legacy while alive will stand as a memorial.
Also speaking, the vice chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, Senator Zuwoghe, described Senator Odey’s father as a humble and a great man.
The parliamentarian stated that listening to Chief Odey’s chronicles can make one cry, stressing that the privilege of his final destination in heaven, calls for celebration rather than mourn his demise
However, a human rights constitutional lawyer, Agabi, SAN, CON, averred that Pa Odey passed on at his ripe old age, adding that it’s the reason that they gathered at his funeral, not to celebrate death but to celebrate life.
Agabi said, “Because he was a man of peace, we celebrate peace; because he gave his people hope, we celebrate hope and love.”
