The Service of Songs ceremony for the late Amb. Mrs. Blessing Oghale Gbenekama (JP), wife of High Chief Amb. Dr. T.D.A Godspower Gbenekama (JP), the Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, held at her husband's residence in Effurun axis of the state with families, friends, and other sympathisers in attendance on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Since the untimely departure of his dear wife, the Fiyewei has been in seclusion and in mourning. His appearance at the ceremony nonetheless was that of a man, despite having encountered tough situations in his life, was still struggling to fathom out why fate choose to wreck such an havoc!

Finding solace by pouring out his heart as if having a conversation with his late wife in his tribute, it is not hard for one to understand what the loss of his dear wife meant to him. The short piece was not only written in a sadistic tone but expresses his agonies and at the same time holding unto what keeps all humans hanging on the balance in difficult times — Hope.

"There are simply no words to capture what you meant to me or convey the full weight of my grief over your passing," began the High Chief in his emotional tribute to his late wife, Amb. (Mrs.) Blessing Oghale Gbenekama ((JP), who unexpectedly passed away after a brief illness on Friday, June 7, 2024.

In an attempt to expose how dear his late wife was to him, the Fiyewei likened his late wife to precious gold as he unveiled rare attributes about her while he journeyed down memory lane, relying only on his memories which have now become the most treasured part of his late wife death could not take away from him.

"When I met you some years ago, I knew at once that I had struck gold and I know many men have a wonderful wife but no one has ever had a better one than I. For Amb. (Mrs) Blessing Oghale, you were simply amazing – beautiful, witty, highly intelligent and always fun to be with.

"I fondly call you my jewel and my school girl friend. I am grateful for every minute we had together. We shared a friendship, a bond that no one else can understand and together we tore down barriers of creed, tribe and culture that couldn't keep us apart and at once turned all of it into love and laughter and oneness."

Continuing in his tribute, the High Chief rendered account of how his late wife had impacted his life when he further wrote, "Amb. (Mrs) Blessing Oghale, you were my everything. My happiest years were those spent with you. You gave me the experience of being clearly understood, truly supported and completely and utterly loved. You inspired me in ways I cannot explain. You were my most lovely fan, blowing my trumpet the loudest.

"When I was worried, you said it would be okay. When I wasn't sure what to do, you figured it out. And even there on your sick bed when I neared my wits end, you would hold my hand and reassure me that everything would be okay."

As the words flowed in his tributes, so too were the tears that had strained his eyes for days since the tragic incident occurred. It all seemed like a dream, yet it was one he prayed he wake up from. Such was his wish, the only option he could think of to reverse the tragedy. However, in the meantime, if there is anything to hang unto, it was the fact that his precious wife still lives by her actions and her show of compassion in the lives of himself and others.

"I am consoled however by the fact that we have buried only your body; your spirit, your beautiful soul, your uncommon ability to calm the storm is still with us. You live on in the stories those who knew you are sharing of how you touched their lives, in the memories of our families who you touched most closely, in the love that is so visible in the eyes of our children."

Yet, he confessed, "Things will never be the same for us, yes," wrote the Fiyewei as he sank once again into the abyss of grief, but just then the thought of the children his late wife had given him brought back hope, prompting the High Chief to regain his track when he continued courageously in his tribute: "but we all have been made better because you were in our lives.

"But I will not stay drained by grief. I assure you that I will be strong for the children, and that together, we shall make you proud," he vowed as he signed off on the tribute with the words: "With all my heart, High Chief Amb. Dr. T.D.A Gbenekama JP (Husband)."

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