The children of the late Capt. Elder Johnson Emmanuel Safegha, in platonic tones encapsulated in grief and pains, poured eulogies on their departed father who was laid to rest in the coastal town of Kokodiagbene, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Friday, August 23, 2024.

Earlier in the day, the body of the late Capt. Safegha, who joined his ancestors at the age of 85 years on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, was conveyed in a motorcade from the Noble Mortuary to his private residence in the Udu area of the state before the final journey to his hometown via the popular Miller Waterfront near NPA in Warri.

The brief Christian funeral ceremony which held in Kokodiagbene community at noon time and was officiated by the General Overseer of the Unbeatable Power of God's Ministry Inc. (Home of Refuge), Pastor Emeka Michael Eze, witnessed other activities including the singing of praise, a brief sermon on repentance, and prayers for the family members of the late Capt. Safegha.

The late Capt. Safegha, according to his biography was born to the family of Late Mr. Ogodogungun and Mrs Owheyaya Safegha, both of Gbaramatu heritage, and he attended Oboro Primary School in Benikrukru community. Upon completion, due to his love for craftsmanship, he moved to Warri where he started to learn some skills.

He started his professional career as a sailor in October 1969 when he joined the International Option Services. He later joined Tidex (Tide Waters) in the early 70’s where he worked as an able seaman, Otis Nigeria Limited where he worked as an Able Seaman, Halliburton Nigeria Limited where he worked as a Chief Mate, and with Edison Sepps as a Captain for about two years before his retirement.

Religiously, he was born and raised a renowned Christian and he took church activities very seriously, earning a place as an elder and some groups in the church; while on his marital life, "he fell in love with the the woman of his dream, the young and beautiful Miss Joy. They were married and the lovely union was blessed with 11 children and 18 grandchildren."

The children in their tributes described their father as a loving, caring, gentle, hardworking, neat, God fearing, and an honest figure among other positive traits.

"I will always remember how you encouraged me in good and difficult times, how you stood and prayed for me when I was pregnant. To my amazing Dad, my hero and my mentor, you taught me the value of honesty, the importance of hard work, and the dignity in humility," wrote Mercy, a daughter.

For Austin, one of the sons, he wrote, "I find myself overwhelmed with a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and love. My father was more than just a parent; he was my guide, my mentor and my friend," while another son, Godstime, said, "Papa was a friend, mentor and a father. I still can’t believe you are gone. I am short of words to describe the value you added to my life personally and the world around. You are a man of principle, one who make things work, a man who sees possibility amidst impossibility and sees life as vanity."

The eldest son, Preye, wrote "People with integrity are known to be trustworthy, honest, discipline, and kind. Dad, this is truly what you represent on your journey in life. It is still a shock to me that you are gone," while another daughter named Blessing said "My dad was an hardworking man who provides adequately for his eleven children. Dad is a very neat man to the core... He is a very reserved person who likes to mind his business. He is a man who loves spiritual things like fasting and praying frequently..." she recounted.

On their part, while Tega wrote "Dad, you brought so much joy to our family more than you will ever know. I salute you. I honour you for an infinite number of reasons...My gratitude to you is endless," Ebi, another son praised his late father when he said, "Dad, not only were you my father, you were also my greatest role model, my hero, my inspiration, my rock, and my captain," while for Denyefa, "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward. You are a loving father, tender and kind. What a beautiful memory you left behind. Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone to be a Dad... Keep resting my hero until we meet to part no more."

The body of the late Capt. Safegha was finally committed to Mother Earth in a brief interment ceremony in the early hours of the evening.

The late Capt. Safegha will surely be missed as captured in the last part of his biography which describes him as: "a loving father, a man of great virtue and a charismatic leader, fun loving, easy going, great entrepreneur, very caring and accommodating," adding further that, "No wonder anybody that came across him always have many positive things to say about him because he is always checking on everyone around him, making sure that they are okay. He is an advocate of peace and an ambassador of Christ. He would be missed by all who have come across him."

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