By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Chieftain of the ruling All Progress Congress, APC, and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Opal Group, High Chief Higgins Peters, the Emoma and Akpa Owo of Yala land, in company of several APC stakeholders in Cross River State, at the weekend laid the remains of his younger sister, late Mrs Juliana Akpowu Ezekiel, Nee Peters, to rest, amidst tears, prayers and tributes.
Juliana passed on on January 3, 2024, after a fierce battle with brain cancer and was subsequently laid to rest on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Oba-Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area of the state.
The deceased, born in September 22, 1966, passed on to the great beyond this year, after living a remarkable life of devotion and selfless service to God and humanity, through the children’s ministry, where she served for the last 38 years of her life in different capacities as teacher, minister, coordinator and counselor until her demise.
Speaking at the funeral service, which took place at the ancestral home in Oba-Okpoma, Yala LGA, Cross River State, the state governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, and his deputy, Rt Hon. Peter Odey, who were represented by Ntufam Dr. Peter Ojie, the immediate past Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs to former Governor Ben Ayade, commiserated with deceased family, stressing that her entrepreneurial spirit, motherly role and commitment to rendering selfless service to mankind and community development would be missed.
Noting that her memory will undoubtedly be cherished, and her impact on the lives she touched will forever remains source of inspiration, he averred that the deceased, as a devout Christian, her moral conduct was such that other Christians are proud of and extended heartfelt condolences to High Chief Peters and the family, as well as the people of Yala.
He further urged the family to be comforted that Mrs. Juliana is resting in the bosom of Abraham.
High Chief Peters in his tribute, titled ‘An Ode to Juliana,’ said, “Juliana you knew the battle was intense, your soldier were strong, our courage and resolve to win was firm. You fought alone, we fought collectively as a family, we fought in silence, we fought in prayers and we fought in science.
“We assembled the best arsenals in medical science in our country, we confronted death and made it look weak, but the call for your home coming came from an authority we could not confront.”
He said, ” My younger sister died very young. It is on this note that we make the burial a very solemn one.”
Speaking during the funeral service, Pastor Matthew Sani Ochejoh described the late Mrs Juliana as a wonderful woman, who loved and served God unreservedly adding that she lived a life of impact and touched everyone whose path crossed with her positively.
The funeral attracted dignitaries and political leaders from within and outside the state. Notable attendees included Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sylvester Agabi Jnr, Senator Eteng Jones Williams, representing Cross River Central senatorial district, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, H.E Amb. Sony Abang, Chief Chris Agara, Chief EJ Williams, Ntufam Dr Peter Ojie, Hon Odey Brian, Minority Leader, Cross River State House of Assembly and member representing Yala I state constituency, Hon Victor Abang, member, House of Representatives representing Ikom/Boki federal constituency, Senator Stephen Odey, former Senator representing Cross River Northern senatorial district and Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Mrs. Beatrice Igwe, Commissioner for Housing, Mrs Agnes Atsu Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Hippolatus Lukpata, and Mr. Patrick Egbede Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment.
Others are: Hon. Dr. Thomas Aruku, member of Cross River State House of Assembly representing Ogoja state constituency, Hon Cyril Omini, Signor Omang Idiege Ada Bekwarra 2, Vice Admiral Clement Ogbeche, AIG John Abang, AIG Paul Odama, and Chief Martin Ojeka.
Others include: High Chief Thomas Udam, former VC of UNICAL Prof. Zana Akpagu, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata, as well as former and current members of the state Executive Council, National/State Assembly members and other former and present government appointees and others too numerous to mention
The funeral buried political differences across the state, as all politicians across political lines sent in their condolences, including Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, senator representing Cross River North, Hon. Godwin Offiono, House of Representatives’ member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, and Hon Peter Akpanke, representing Obanliku Bekwarra Obudu federal constituency.
Also in attendance were traditional and religious leaders and various high-ranking government officials and friends from the business community.
