In what could best be described as 'Lamentations', the former Executive Chairman of the defunct Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP) poured out his heart in the tribute session of the Service of Songs ceremony that held at his private residence in Warri, Delta State, in honour of his late dear wife, Pastor Mrs. Jemima Jane Kenawarekumor Ukori (Nee Orubebe), on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

The late Pst. Jane Ukori passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the age of 55 years, barely a year after the Ambassador lost his second wife in 2023. The recent tragic loss has dealt a big blow to the ex-EGCDF Boss and his family, as revealed in the heartrending tribute.

Asides the ex-EGCDF Boss, the children of the late Pst. Jane Ukori, also in their tributes, described their mother, a God's servant in the Holy Jesus Mission under the spiritual leadership of Archbishop Ogbuji Igwe, as a God fearing mother whose passion to do good led to her striving to make impacts through provision of humanitarian services and charity works that lifted up both the young and the old who came her way.

On his part, Amb. Ukori, in his piece which could be titled as, 'Nothing Can Dim The Light That Shines From Within' as extracted and presented below, said the sudden passing of his sweetheart left him with a broken heart and that it left him devastated, but that he draws strength from the fact that he is convinced she is resting peacefully in the Bosom of the Lord.

His tributes read: "It all happened in my presence but it looked like a very bizarre nightmare till date. The thing l feared and dreaded most that I will not wish my enemy had happened to me again. I am in my extreme state of devastation and grief not knowing where to take my bearing from.

"My lovely wife, whom I fondly called 'my sweetheart', you had at all times and purpose been my immediate source of inspiration and strength to recoup from several ordeals and setbacks I experienced in the past as we journeyed together.

"It is apparently less than a year now that I suffered what I thought should have been the worst pain of my life. I was wrong! Here is another devastating blow! Whom do I turn to for comfort on this perilous time?

"I could have stopped without a word further but I am indebted to my sweetheart, my angel, my prophetess, my friend, my sister, mother and wife. It is a journey of 22 years of love with its attendant challenges and odds, but you stood by me and fought together and sailed through in love.

"We were at the verge of rest from our daily ups and downs and we had actually planned to retire in comfort as we slowed down on our daily toils, so that we could begin to reap the fruits of many years of hard labour we put in together, but the wicked devil struck to snatch you away.

"The world is indeed unfair! You were such a loving and caring wife that best described the bible context of the word a 'virtuous woman'. You stood behind me in every facet of life to achieve the great things you desire in the man of your dreams. You were so bold, courageous, industrious and resilient with fear and faith in God. You were a prophetess to the core, a peace maker and a counselor. You have been very supportive in every sense of the word. You were a cheerful giver per excellence, being hospitable and offering care for the needy was a core value you cherished.

"You were an effective planner and organizer who handled every knotty challenge selflessly. You always thrived to put a smile on the face of every one that came your way, a trait which earned you the mother figure to the envy of other women.

"You wanted the best for our kids and also the wards in your care without discrimination. You held back nothing good from whoever deserves it. What an excellent woman you were but you did not live long to enjoy the fruits of your hard labour.

"My sweetheart, I remember our last discussion on how you needed to start your dream private business to avoid the hustle and bustle of working as a salary earner, coupled with the fact that you needed to give more attention to your health and the children.

"On that ill-fated day, I took you to the clinic, I never thought that the illness was going to teminate your journey on earth. You got better with the treatment, which encouraged me to go home and check on the children, thus leaving you in the hands of your sister with the trust that you will be fine. But to my consternation, I returned to meet you in a situation where you could not say a word back at me. Not even a word for your dear children whom you loved and cherished so much.

"Jane my sweetheart! You have left me heartbroken and helpless with all the motherless children. How and where do I go about it. My tears cannot forestall this irreparable loss. In all these, I take solace in God we both served and with the hindsight that you have a right standing with the Lord in whose Bosom you rest until we meet to part no more.

“'Nothing can dim the light that shines from within'. You are gone but your light cannot dim in my heart. Rest on my sweetheart!!!”

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