A former chairman of the defunct Egbema-Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, Amb. Jude Ukori (JP), has promised to not be “drained or overwhelmed” by the tragic loss of his dear wife, Mrs. Mercy Edesiri Ukori, on May 30, 2023, in an incident that happened after the burial of his late mother and father in the year 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Amb. Ukori made the promise in a touching tribute to his late wife, who was laid to eternal rest on Friday, June 30, 2023 at her hometown, Igun community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, amidst heavy downpour of tears from family members, friends and other sympathisers who attended the funeral rites.

The Late Mrs. Ukori, who was earlier diagnosed of fibroid and underwent chemotherapy treatment which she did not survive from, was born into the family of Mr. Godwin and Mrs. Vera Obukohwo in 1986. She would later own a Nigeria Certificate in Education, NCE, from the College of Education, Warri, and proceed to get trained as an auxiliary nurse, a profession she practiced until her untimely demise.

“You were simply amazing – virtuous, beautiful, highly intelligent, full of fun and humour,” said Amb. Ukori while giving a vivid description of his late wife in his tribute. “You were humble, faithful, effective, ambitious, principled, peace-loving and true, and in your unassuming way made everything around you beautiful,” he added among other glowing traits to his late wife.

According to Amb. Ukori, his late wife complaint started in 2021 after the burial of his late mother and continued after the burial of his late father in March 2022, but worsened in December of that year after being diagnosed of tumor, prompting a surgery operation on May 28, 2023; but only for her to give up the ghost two days later.

Part of the tribute reads: “The complaints of your ill health started in 2021 barely some months after the burial of my beloved late mother when you were diagnosed of fibroid. Little did I suspect that it was a device by the Devil that gradually unfolded to become a deadly tumor. You were very strong; we both went for the burial of my late father in March 2022; you performed very well to the admiration of the entire community. I never knew you were the next victim to cause me pain and grief...

“I watched you helplessly but in agonizing prayers that could not avail,” said the ex-EGCDF Chairman bitterly, and continued, “Since your demise, my tears, grief and pain are endless. I will mourn your death for the rest of my life; it is hard to get over it. But I will not stay drained or overwhelmed by grief. I assure you I will be strong for our children, and that together we shall make you proud,” he vowed.

The funeral ceremony began in Igun after the arrival of the remains of the deceased, having been conveyed from the Veenell Hospital Mortuary in Warri to her hometown. Officiating ministers are Arch. Bishop Ogbuji Ogbuji, Rev. Onyedikachukwu Ogbuji, Rev. Timothy Erivbodje, all of the Holy Jesus Mission; Rev. Clement Doyah of the Luminary Gospel Ministry, Pastor Matthew Doyah of the Solution Hour Church of God, Bishop Godwin Soroaye (JP) of the Heroes of Faith Ministry, Dcn. Jude Ukor, among others.

It would be recalled that a service of songs ceremony was held in honour of the Late Mrs. Ukori on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at her compound in Ekete-Inland, Udu. She is survived by her husband, four children, her parents and other relatives.

Follow the link to view photos of the funeral rites: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02pbu7a8NvTK3dUfjFHrCdeqz9agjy73pWWe8ViJP1JwCrLYKFnsdzfVJzJA2ctiVml&id=100041939655507&mibextid=Nif5oz

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