The Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, High Chief Amb. Dr. Godspower Gbenekama JP, has said that the death of his dear wife, Amb. Blessing Gbenekama JP, makes him want to question God over the sad loss that has taken a huge toll on him, but that God knows best even though it was painful.

The late Amb Gbenekama was said to have passed away after a brief illness from complications of malaria, low sugar level and blood pressure on Friday, June 7, 2024.

Meanwhile condolences have continued to pour in on the shocking loss of the Fiyewei's wife from sympathisers who continue to troop the residence of the former vice chairman of the defunct Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, to empathise with him.

"On behalf of the Ogulagha Kingdom Traditional Council of Chiefs, may the God Almighty grant the High Chief the fortitude to bear the loss," said High   Prefugha Karawei JP, a chieftain from Ogulagha Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of the state, who was among sympathisers present in the Fiyewei's residence. 

"It is one of those things. It is God that gives and takes. And that is why God said that in whatever that happens to you give Him thanks and praises. It is a pity because we are a people of blood and flesh. Those that are around him should put more effort to console him. However, I wish him strength to overcome this grief in Jesus name," he prayed.

On his part, Apst Amb Dr. Johnson Bibogha JP, chairman of Gbaramatu Ibe Gbolei, on behalf of the association said, "Nobody is greater than God, the Omniscient, the Omnipotent. So, we take it as God's wish. If it were money, we could have brought her back. But God owns the soul and has taken it. Even High Chief that married her has not the power. May Almighty God be with the family and with us in Jesus name, Amen," he also prayed.

"This is one of the highest loss we have ever had in Gbaramatu Kingdom," noted High Chief Wellington Bobo JP, the Uroupawei of the kingdom. "It is so sudden and painful. The condolence of the entire Gbaramatu Council of Chiefs go to our High Chief and the Fiyewei of the kingdom. We are all pained on the loss of our industrious and beautiful daughter," he added.

Another chieftain, the Ibe Serimowei of the kingdom, who is also the National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Chief Sheriff Mulade, said in his condolence; "As a member of the family we feel very sad and so bad as it is unexpected. However, we condole with our brother, the Fiyewei of the kingdom. May God Almighty grant him the fortitude to bear the loss. And we also pray that the family will no longer experience such. That is our prayers to God Almighty so that there will be peace."

Speaking further he added, "And as we prepare and proceed for the burial rites over the weekend (June 14), we also pray that God Almighty grant us journey mercies in all the movement," he prayed.

In the course of their visit, members of the Ijaw Publishers' Forum, IPF, led by its president Comrade Ozobo Austin said the Forum sympathise with their patron and that the High Chief should take heart over the loss especially as he is a pillar in the family that everyone look up to. They also prayed for God to grant him the needed strength to overcome the grief and promised to avail themselves to do the needful at the funeral ceremonies.

For Elder Emmanuel Tonlagha, he said, "I pray God to give him the fortitude to bear this loss. She is very precious to myself and to the family. The last time I saw her was almost two years ago but we have been talking over the phone. Even few weeks back I called her but she didn't respond. It is so painful," the elder lamented.

In her condolence, Chief Mrs. Marian Anumuogharan, the Miyenkeremo-ere of the kingdom said, "She is like a sister to me. Whenever she sees she takes me like a sister, not even sister-in-law. I miss her so much. I pray that her soul rest in the Bosom of the Lord."

A member of the Gbaramatu Christian Fellowship Interdenominational, GCFI, and a pastoral leader in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Felix Famtua said, "Actually it's very unfortunate to hear the sad news. We are not expecting this but no one can question God. But what has happened has happened. We take solace in God and we pray that God will keep High Chief Amb Dr. Godspower Gbenekama and the children the wife has left behind.

"It was not planned as death is inevitable. We thank God for everything. When we saw him few hours ago, he is getting stronger and we know he will get stronger. But we pray that such thing will not happen to this family again and to other families," the pastor prayed.

For Hon. Mackson Uyatede, an S.A. to the Delta state governor on Youths Affair, prayed that "the Almighty God to fortify our dear leader, the Fiyewei, in such a time as this. We never expected and it's so unfortunate. We are all mourning this sad loss."

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