OFONIME UMANAH
Since December 11, 2025, when a dark cloud descended on Ofoni, the people and government of Bayelsa State and indeed the family of Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, have not recovered. That day, an eclipse occurred, very unexpected. Ewrudjakpo died.
His death disorganized, not just the immediate family, but also the man he worked under, Senator Douye Diri. Just like that, a working encyclopedia of African proverbs, Nigeria’s only known workaholic deputy governor, went to work on that day, working and working and working. When he was done working, he rested. He rested peacefully. And rested in peace.
He could not tell his boss, or his mentor, Senator Seriake Dickson, or his wife or his family members anything. He left them without any farewell proverb or speech or smile. Since then, neither Diri nor Dickson, nor Ewrudjakpo’s wife have stopped crying.
Every time an opportunity presents itself, Diri would sob. He would remember how much of an ally Ewrudjakpo was. He would remember how much of a partner his deputy was. He would remember how he would leave the state for a week or two and return to see the state very safe and intact.
On Thursday, during the night of tributes in honour of his former deputy, Diri sobbed. At intervals, he would try to control his emotions, but the more he tried, the more he would sob, then wipe his tears. The morning after, on Friday January 30, when Ewrudjakpo’s remains were being interred, Diri sobbed even the more. A part of him had gone forever.
Speaking at the funeral which held at Ofoni, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state where Ewrudjakpo hailed from, Diri described the passing of his deputy as a harsh reality that was impossible to ignore but said God who took him cannot be questioned. He said Ewhrudjakpo was a very careful person who would have been alive if life depended on being careful.
He said: “Today we gather under this sober atmosphere of grief as well as in gratitude to honour a man of outstanding public service. The Scriptures remind us in Job 14:1–8, that human life is “of few days and full of trouble,” a fragile bloom that fades.
“That harsh reality, impossible to ignore or erase, frames our mourning. Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo came forth like a flower. For a season, he brightened our days, and now he has been taken from our sight by the Almighty God.”
Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said Ewhrudjakpo’s demise was a huge loss not only to the state but to the country at large given his legacy of service.
The president stated that the late deputy governor left an indelible mark on the sands of time and that posterity will be kind to him.
While expressing condolences to the Ewhrudjakpo family, the government and people of Bayelsa, Tinubu urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a good life. He also stated that Ewhrudjakpo fought a good fight and prayed God to comfort his family and all those affected by his death.
His words: “I bring you greetings and heartfelt condolences from Mr. President, who would have been here but he is on a state visit to Turkey. Life is about service and legacy. Posterity will always judge everybody. By this standard, we can comfortably say that Ewhrudjakpo lived a good life. He will be remembered for his wisdom and selfless service.”
In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan stated that Ewhrudjakpo’s death was a bitter pill to swallow but that as Christians, those affected should give thanks to God in line with the bibilical teaching that urges believers to thank God in all things.
Jonathan described Ewhrudjakpo as a good man, saying it is rare for people to speak so highly of a politician that rose to the position of deputy governor. The former president also said the late Ewhrudjakpo impacted the lives of all those who came in contact with him positively and prayed that God will provide another person for the people of Ofoni to fill his shoes.
He said: “As Christians, we say in all things we give thanks to God. Even at that, certain things happen and you find it difficult to thank God. The death of Lawrence is one of these.
“Everyone speaks good of Lawrence. He was a good man who related well with people. It is very difficult to find a politician who rose to the position of deputy governor to be well spoken of in this manner.”
In a sermon, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, admonished Christians not to mourn like those without hope, saying their focus should be on their Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
He also urged Christians to live according to the values of God’s kingdom, saying Ewhrudjakpo was very forthright, generous and humble and should be emulated by politicians.
Other dignitaries in attendance were former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, wife of the Bayelsa Governor, Justice Patience Diri, Governor of Enugu State represented by the Secretary to the State Government, immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief Seriake Dickson as well as the deputy governors of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Benue, Abia, Plateau, and Bauchi states.
