It was a celebration of life for the Late Chief Elder David Odudu Ogun whose remains was committed to Mother Earth in the early hours of Saturday after a funeral service and a social wake-keep ceremony which held in Oporoza Town, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday, December 8, 2023.

On Friday afternoon, the Late Chief Elder David Odudu Ogun remains was conveyed from the Safe Haven Mortuary in Okumagba Layout, Warri, in a casket to his hometown via the Miller waterfront along NPA in Warri.

The funeral service, anchored by The Light of the World Mission Inc., featured praise session, singing of hymns, Bible readings, a sermon by Bishop Dr. Harrison Obiogbo (JP) titled 'There is Hope', prayer session and presentation of the biography of the deceased by one of his sons, Mr. Precious Odudu.

In what could be described as a change of atmosphere, the Rev. Master Joel Azapere, a gospel singer and preacher, ignited the praise session at the close of the ceremony with his melodic tunes that rejuvenated the audience and the family of the late chief who all danced to the glory of God.

The social wake-keep ceremony began thereafter by 10:30pm and lasted till the early hours of the Saturday with Prince Smally Okpe and his Izon musical band performed to entertain those in attendance amidst other activities.

Born on April 24, 1952 in Odudugbene village in Gbaramatu Kingdom to the family of Late Chief Edward Odudu Ogun, the Late Chief Elder David Odudu Ogun was the fifth out of 19 children but was raised by his stepmother, Mrs. Isen Odudu.

He began his primary and secondary educational career by attending African Primary School and the Midwest College in Warri. He then ventured into marketing of fish and crayfish in Onitsha from his father's stock in Warri. He would later, after the Nigerian civil war, ventured unsuccessfully into the sale of local gin (known as Ogogoro) with his maternal relative, Mr. Justina Wariya.

Determined to succeed, he obtained his Seaman Passport and ventured as a sailor with the Nigerian National Shipping Line, NNSL, in 1972, and advanced his career as an Able Seaman. He traveled to countries such as Denmark in Europe, and Liverpool City in England. In the course of his seamanship he bought his first car in 1977 which he imported into Nigeria. On his returning back to Nigeria he undertook and executed various projects while working with his uncle, Chief Dr. Wellington Okirika, CON, and later established his own business firm, David Odudu Nigeria Limited, in 1991.

The Late Chief Elder David Odudu Ogun got married in 1974 to his loving wife Mrs. Margaret Odudu Nee Edjerhie, and the union was blessed with 10 children (five sons and five daughters). He also fathered a daughter, Douye Odudu, whose mother was Miss Grace Omorodion. Douye got married to Mr. Sam Nelson Okoronkwo with whom she had three children before her demise. At the time of his death, the Late Chief Elder David Odudu Ogun had 16 grandchildren.

Described as a caring and responsible father, contented and disciplined, the Late Chief Elder David Odudu Ogun was a man that depicted trust, benevolence and courage, and one that was adjudged as fair in delivering judgement on issues that involved disputes.

Pastor Christopher Odudu lamented in his tribute, "So Opuidi is gone? Difficult to believe... He will forever be remembered as one who came, and did his bit i a very great and impressive way" while Evang. Elisha Odudu penned the following: "Daddy you are really a rare gem, a saviour after God is you. I miss you now and always."

For his eldest daughter, Preye Odudu, simply wrote, "I am really short of words. You were too good and too kind" while the second daughter, Mrs. Jennifer Ejiro Ebitebe who earlier in 2023 got married recalled, "In the quiet echoes of my return, you stood at the altar, a pillar of strength. Now, in hushed sorrow of your absence, my heart aches" and then added "Your departure leaves a void that words struggle to fill."

On their part, another daughter, Edesemi Russell, said "we cherished the memories we shared with you" and added, "you were a loving father, a patient teacher, and a kind friend. You showed us the importance of hard work, honesty and compassion" while the last daughter, Carena Odudu described his late father as a "selfless and a humble man" and confessed "I don't know how to live without you in quiet days and tearful nights because you made this world worth living in".

A Thanksgiving service holds on Sunday at the World of the Light Mission Inc. in Warri by the family of the Late Chief Elder David Odudu Ogun. Though no longer present in the physical, he will be remembered for his godly virtues and as an Earthly father of love in the hearts of those who knew him. Adieu Opuidi until the trumpet call.

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