As the vessel conveying the remains of the Late High Chief (Dr.) Jonathan Gere Bakah Ari (JP) journeys slowly through the creeks on its way to the late icon's hometown, Kokodiagbene in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, one thing that was certain as displayed in the mood of passengers on board, is the fact that it is a celebration of life.

The carnival-like celebration on board the vessel was supercharged the more by the Ayakoromo-born singer and his Izon musical band, Gen. Bestmay JFred & De Giant Stars Crew, who churned out traditional hit songs in the almost six hours journey that began from the Miller Waterfront near the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, in Warri.

Earlier, the journey of the remains of the late iconic chieftain had began in a motorcade procession from the Venell Clinic mortuary in Warri, in a steady motion that lasted almost an hour to the waterfront. It arrived the well-decorated vessel at precisely 9:00am, and from there on it was a carnival-like celebration on board the vessel as men, women and youths did the traditional dance of the Ijaws.

"Money nor dey die, na people dey die," Gen. Bestmay sang philosophically in one of his songs. Though in a sad mood, the children of the Late Puwei couldn't help but feel a sort of relief knowing they are not alone. Dressed in white native attires with golden embroidery design on it, they tried to appear their best to give their father a befitting burial. But most importantly, the children must be proud of the legacies of their father as the support and love they received for his burial was massive and as reflected by the hundreds of passengers on board the vessel. In such a state, it is easy to get lost in the atmosphere of rejoicing, not mourning.

Death himself must be wondering and surely it must feel defeated. It must have thought to himself: "Why are the people rejoicing? Are they not supposed to be shedding tears or be in a sad state of mourning? Or is it because it has been seven months since I struck and snatched away the High Chief?"

Certainly in death, the Late High Chief Ari defeated death. While he is no longer physically present, he however lives on in the heart's of those who knew him. Like all men, the High Chief is fallible, but certainly he lived a fulfilled life. He played his part in it, he improved more on it and left it much better, not only for his descendants but the generality of his tribesmen. It is this goodwill that created such a mood of celebration.

The tide of celebration lifted as the vessel approached Okerenkoko, the first major settlements in the Gbaramatu waters and hometown of the generals including former deputy governor of Delta State, Dcn. Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro. The current of the celebration became strong as passengers on board flowed with the rhythmic ecstacy produced by the Ayakoromo-born singer.

The Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, who earlier had set the pace of jubilation by opening the dance floor on the barge, lined up in front of the vessel as it ebbed close to its destination, Kokodiagbene. A huge crowd had already gathered on the concrete jetty awaiting their arrival. Ironically, the jetty was the first ever landing jetty in the community, constructed years ago by the late High Chief himself during the era of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC. Noted for its quality, the project had endured the test of time while other jetties that came much later have already collapsed or are showing signs of failing.

Finally, the vessel glided to a halt and berthed at the jetty. Passengers on board disembarked and filed out to the concrete walkway, an ongoing state government project, and waited for the procession to the venue of the funeral ground to begin. Soon after, the pall bearers, in a dramatic display, led the procession to the venue in Ugeh quarters.

As the casket containing the remains of the Late High Chief makes its way to the final resting place, a voice whispered to my ears: “A man has two lives to live. One life he lives for himself; the other life he lives in the thoughts of others. While the second life is a product of the first, however, the second life is the most important of all—it is this life that will determine how a man is judged, here on Earth and even in the afterlife!”

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