By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State deputy governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, on Tuesday, commiserated the family of Chief Fidelis Agbiki over the death of his daughter, Mrs. Dikemefa Benjamin, née Agbiki, who died on Monday in Port Harcourt, the River State capital.
Speaking during a condolence visit to Chief Agbiki at his Opolo residence in Yenagoa, Akpe noted that the visit was informed by the need to strengthen and encourage the family in their moment of profound loss of a dearly loved one.
The deputy governor, who remarked that nothing takes God by surprise, however, posited that as Christians, they should draw fortitude from God who is the owner of life and be thankful to Him in all things in obedience to the word of God.
Describing death as inevitable, the Bayelsa number two man called on the bereaved Agbiki family not to allow grief to overwhelm them but rather take solace in God who alone has the answer to why it happened.
His words: “As God said in the Bible, in everything that happens, we should give him thanks. As God’s children, we first give Him thanks even in difficult times such as this.
“We are here to see our father and the family over what happened, and to encourage and strengthen you. Clearly, what has happened is painful but we are here basically to encourage you and your entire family.
“Because we are God’s children, we believe that whatever God doesn’t permit cannot happen. That is the belief we have. All these things are in God’s agenda.
“For as long as we walk in the flesh, this encouragement is necessary. We know it is painful, but draw fortitude from God. The major lesson for us the living is that the things for which we fight and kill ourselves are ephemeral.”
Speaking on behalf of himself and the family, the chief mourner, Agbiki, said the sudden demise of his daughter was painful and a sad development to the family.
Agbiki, who is the APC senatorial candidate for Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, described the late Mrs Dikemefa Benjamin as a pillar of the family.
In a statement by the deputy governor’s spokesman, Mr. Doubra Atasin, Agbiki expressed gratitude to Akpe and his entourage for the visit, noting that the deputy governor’s condolence was huge source of relief and encouragement.
In a related development, the deputy governor has also condoled with the family of Bishop Ebi Belepeigha on the demise of his wife, Mrs. Kate Emomotimi Belepeigha.
Akpe, who visited the Bishop Belepeigha home along LaGold Street, Ekeki, Yenagoa, described late Kate Belepeigha as a devout Christian, positing that her transition was to greater glory.
He said the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the Belepeighas, and to also remind the bishop that his vast knowledge of the Word of God would be a great source of strength to him and the family at this trying moment.
Speaking earlier, the bereaved Bishop described the condolence visit of the deputy governor as a great honour to him and his family that would never be taken for granted, adding that it would help to assuage their pain and grief.
The deputy dovernor was accompanied on the visits by his wife, Dr. Favour Akpe; the Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye-Sawyer; the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chief Saturday Odoko, Dr Sylbrix Obriki, Prof. Princewill Igbagara, Deacon James Agari, among others.
