Almost five months after his sudden demise on Wednesday, 25 September 2024, the remains of the late Hon. Edward 'Eddy' Goigoi Akpule, father of Hon. Emmanuel Gesikeme Akpule, was finally laid to rest at Torugbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State after a funeral mass on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

The solemn ceremony was attended by friends and other sympathisers of the Akpule family who joined the children and other descendants to pay their last respect to a man whose sojourn on Earth transverse the academic, social, political, and according to the biography which reads:

"Late Hon. Edward Goigoi Akpule was born on 25th December 1950 into the families of Chief Akpule Ebiwarebo of Korobiri Quarter in Bomadi Town and Ozungbo family of Akwaware quarter of Torugbene community in Burutu Local Government Area, while his mother hails from Oleh town in Isoko South L.G.A., both of Delta State.

"Late Eddy (as he is fondly called by his siblings and friends) attended LEA Primary School in Torugbene from 1957 to 1963 where he obtained his FSLC in 1963. He proceeded to Government College, Bomadi, in the year 1969/70 and completed his studies in 1974. During his school days, his active nature earned him the position of Games Perfect as he was a sprinter and also a skillful footballer who played as a striker and also as a goal keeper, talents which many thought will see him don the national colours someday.

"Some of his classmates at the Government College were: Sir Hon. G.P. Benafa, Dr. Festus Sonrun, Col. Gordon Ogun (rtd), Engr. James E. Agheyei, Emmanuel Okogba of DBS, Gita Yinkore HPM (rtd), Suvr. Patrick Abiri, Clement Okogba, Famous Benafa, Joseph Ekiyor, Albert Olorogun, Daukere Miebaike, Jonathan Enaregha, Ghandi Gold, late Col. Abide Aprezi (former ADC to Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar), late Harvest Ezansa, Mr. Golden Meine, Felix Oyakemeagbegha, Ms. Amaredou Akpaghua, Ms. Mary Ogu, Ms. Rose Akebofa.

"After his secondary education he proceeded to College of Education, Iyaro, Benin City, before they were later transferred to College of Education, Warri. He graduated in the year 1983. Eddy was a talented draft player who won several competitions including the Best Draft Player in Burutu LGA.

"Late Eddy worked in various places, some of which are LEA Primary School, Torugbene; Ogini Primary School, Obotebe; Burutu Grammar School, Burutu. While working in Burutu Grammar School as the Labour Master, he usually mobilize students to the residence of the HPM who was Sole Administrator. This gesture pleased the HPM so much that when the slots for Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) employment opportunity came, he secured one out of the two as appreciation to Eddy for his gesture. While in the NIS he rose to become the second in command in Yobe State upon the creation of Yobe State from Borno State.

"Late Eddy joined politics in 1992 where he belonged then to the National Republic Convention (NRC) party with Elder Godsday Orubebe as Chairman of the LGA then. Unfortunately, upon the emergence of Lt. Gen. Sani Abacha as Head of State, that era was abolished. He later joined the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) party which collaborated with Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) where Hon. Braduce Angozi emerged as the flag bearer. In 1998 he joined the People's Democratic Party (PDP) where he became the party’s flag bearer and contested for the House of Representatives but lost narrowly to All people’s Party (APP), Hon. Agbeotu Efirighaendi.

"Daddy was an active player and because of his sincerity and honesty, he was loved by all who came across him. Notably amongst whom are His Excellencies Chief James Onanaefe Ibori. Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and several others, both within and outside the State.

"Even though Daddy was not from Burutu community where he resided at that time, because of his active participation in politics and his quest for perfection of things around him, he joined community politics where he was made the Secretary General of the community and also held several other positions.

"In his quest to advance knowledge and contribute to societal development, Daddy’s vast knowledge saw him wrote several books, both Economics and other subject areas, both published and unpublished. Some of his published works are: The Best Road to Economics, Economics Made Easy, and, A Comprehensive Textbook on Economics.

"Although Daddy came from a pagan background, he joined Christiandom after Government College, Bomadi. His first contact with faith was with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. He later joined Catholicism and belonged to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Society where he was a very active member. This deep faith and insight led him to compose several songs some of which are still sung in worship sessions till date.

"The late Eddy was a polygamist. He got married to Mrs. Abadere Seagirl Akpule and Mrs. Justina Anebikeye Akpule, and he is blessed with ii surviving children until his death. Daddy so lived with his wives with love and friendliness so much that he would hold hands with them in the evenings after work and all three of them would stroll round the community and go to different places. This practice often led to a few young people in Burutu and environs to often reference him as a model of family love.

"Daddy lived majority of his life in Burutu, contributing to the community and to St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Burutu. His quest for new grounds saw him move from Burutu to Asaba where he lived until he met his tragic end. Daddy left this sinful world on the 25th of September 2024 after a brief illness. He is survived by two wives, 11 children, 18 grandchildren and several relatives.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.”

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