On Saturday, November 18, 2023, in Ugeh Quarters, Kokodiagbene Town, the remains of the late icon and Puwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West area of Delta State, High Chief (Dr.) Jonathan Gere Bakah Ari (JP), was laid to eternal rest in a quiet, sorrowful but mild ceremony. What now remains visible of the late icon, asides the resting abode that bears the inscription 'KPAKPAGERE', is the memories others have of the late Puwei as well as the legacies he had laid and left behind as his footprint and evidence that he once walked on the Earth.

Quite interestingly, the gigantic crowd that had accompanied the remains of the late iconic leader on his last sojourn from the city of Warri, Delta State, seem to have disappeared into thin air after the social wake-keep ceremony. All that was left to witness the last funeral rites were the Puwei's children and family members with a handful of chiefs, leaders and other sympathisers. In the end, the burden of committing the remains of the late High Chief to Mother Earth is a duty for those who truly cherish the Puwei.

Earlier, before the social wake-keep ceremony, a funeral service was held in the Puwei's compound, anchored by the Rev. Jethro Ayemobuwa, the General Overseer of the Life Church of God Ministry, the assembly the late iconic chief played an elderly role in before his demise. 

Other ministers in attendance at the funeral service include Bishop Dr. Godwyns Soroaye FHNR (JP), the National Publicity Secretary of the Izon Christian Fellowship (ICF) and Chairman, Western Zone; Dcn. Pibowei Peter Solari, General Secretary, Life Church of God Ministry; Pastor McPherson Kurobo of the Life Church of God Mission, Bishop Felix Piniki, among others.

Similar to the events of the Service of Songs that held on Tuesday, November 14 in the Warri residence of the late High Chief, activities that featured in the funeral service include the singing of hymns: Fading Away, When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, and There is a Land Fairer Than Day; alongside Bible readings, testimonies and that of the biography of the Late Puwei.

The social wake-keep which begun by 10pm featured cultural dance as part of the honour to the late High Chief. Guests in attendance including the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs and those from other kingdoms in Delta and Bayelsa, also among them chiefs and representatives from Effurun–Otor Kingdom in Ughelli South LGA.

Various women groups graced the dance floor during dance session and swayed to the rhythms of two popular Izon musical bands, Prince Abraham and Chief Kingsley Takemebo, who both provided musical entertainment to the audience to raise their spirits.

But despite the merry mood that began all the way from Warri and continued through the night, the dawn of the next morning seem to awaken the consciousness of the Puwei's children, close relatives and friends, who sought of realised the most difficult part of the ceremony awaits them—that moment of laying the Puwei to rest, never to be physically beheld or seen again. Even though the late iconic Puwei lived 84 years on the Earth and his lived life is described as fulfilled, his children and loved ones desired he stays. But alas, death is a price all humans owe and must pay. Tears flowed as the remains of the iconic High Chief, for the last time, was beheld in his still state.

In a brief sermon of exhortations by Rev. Ayemobuwa, aimed at lifting up the spirits of the bereaved in attendance, he recounted once more the impact of the Puwei in life, and stressed more on the need to live according to godly standard.

Finally, the Puwei was laid to rest in his abode where no music or sound will be heard, save those from the external environment. Forever peace. That is the portion of the departed. But not so for the living as, according to the American poet, Robert Frost, who once said: “In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. IT GOES ON...”

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