On Friday, December 13, 2024, the coastal community of Kunukunuma Federated Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, stayed awake in honour of late Chief Elder Ituebi Gabriel Aruwei Bakpa, the Ama-Okosuwei of the community and the Ibe-Okosuwei of the kingdom who died at the age of 110 years.

One of the major highlights during the celebration of life at the social wake keep was the presentation of tributes by the children and other family members as they honour their father one last time before hos remains was committed to Mother Earth on the morning hours of Saturday.

The late Chief Elder Ituebi Gabriel Aruwei Bakpa is survived by two wives: Mrs. Omiegbemi Rebecca and Mrs. Edemeteide Favour; 17 children, 58 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

The children described their departed father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather as an icon whose memories and legacies will forever live on in their hearts, while they prayed his soul rest in peace.

Here's one of the touching tributes from one of his grand daughter, Miss Ebiye Aruwei, which sums up the emotional part of missing the iconic father, when she wrote, 

"Grandpa You were such an epitome of unconditional love and kindness. You Were such an amazing soul, no wonder you lived long.It hurts to have lost you at this undue and unexpected time but I have come to accept that the Good God has decided to send you home. 

"Please do well to pass our prayer request  to our heavenly father for us since you are the closest to him now. The compound will be so quiet without you. With your presence and existence the whole family saw reasons to still come together, but now that you are no more I can't help but to say otherwise. It will be so quiet and boring with no zeal of going to town to see Grandpa anymore!

"You lived a fulfilled life with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to your name which is not an easy feat to pull. What a good age; let's hope we all have a long life like your's my irreplaceable Grandpa.

"You will be surely missed by everybody my Seven Star General. Heaven has not stopped rejoicing since you went there. Till we meet to part no more. Rest well our General."

View more photos on PENGlobal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14VUdj5hM6/

#penglobalsocial #funeral #IbeOkosuwei. #Kunukunuma #Gbaramatu