The late High Chief (Dr.) Jonathan Gere Bakah Ari (JP), the Puwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, who hails from Kokodiagbene community in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta state, could be likened to a gigantic tower that men must lift up their heads in order to behold its imagery. And like the ocean, the persona of the late High Chief knows no boundary as reflected in the collection of tributes from dignified personalities and institutions in society.

Indeed, when great men cease to take in oxygen, it is not only humans that mourn. Maybe nature too has its way of mourning such revered individuals. And that is what may have played out on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, when there was a downpour at the Service of Songs ceremony in the Warri residence of the late High Chief. However, despite the downpour, Deltans from across the state trooped in en masse to the venue to honour the late Puwei and prominent chieftain who was a one-time Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Special Duties, a member of the Land Use Allocation Committee in Warri LGA from 1977 to 1997, and a pioneer member of the 13 percent Derivation Committee in Delta State from 2000 to 2006.

Anchored by the Life Church of God Ministry, Warri, the Service of Songs ceremony witnessed the singing of hymns, Bible readings, presentation of the biography of the iconic chieftain, sharing of testimonies and tributes in honour of the late Puwei, and a brief sermon titled 'It Does Not End Here' by Pst. McPherson who reminded guests in attendance to reflect on the kind of life they are living as death is not the end of man but the beginning of judgement by the Almighty God.

Asides the words of exhortations, one striking aspect of the Service of Songs ceremony is the tribute session, as its message is a fountain of motivation that can also inspire. Though not all are presented here, below are a selection extracted from the compilation in honour of a leader whose positive contributions has made him a role model worth emulating.

Starting from the tribute by Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Burutu Federal Constituency in Delta State, said the late Chief Ari, who the lawmaker describes as "My Grand Uncle" is a personality whose "kind is hard to find. They are seen once in a lifetime... and as the Puwei he played remarkable roles in the modern-day resistance of the Ijaw Nation" and he wrapped his tribute with the assurance that "His place in the records of our community is pretty assured as one who gave his best to humanity."

Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, a member and speaker in the Delta State House of Assembly representing Warri South-West Constituency, said on the passing of the late Chief Ari he is "still living in denial because the High Chief exuded and brimmed with life" and then asked "How do we mourn an Iconic figure in the mode of The Puwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom without referencing his contributions and sacrifices to the development of Gbaramatu Kingdom?" and then added that the late High Chief is "a dignified intellectual, public spirited, diligent, fair-minded and above all, an iconic repository of traditional history."

The Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs in Gbaramatu Kingdom, in their tribute titled 'An Icon Bows Out', signed by Chief Godspower Gbenekama (JP), the Fiyewei, noted that the late Puwei is "one of the undetachable angle of the triangle of musketeers without whom Gbaramatu Kingdom wouldn't have been what it is today" and then asked "Have we learnt any lessons from you? Yes, I guess the younger generations have learnt a lot from you... You stood to fight for your people, even though it was extremely inconvenient in those days. Have we repay you and your generation adequately? I doubt, our human inadequacies may have fallen short of the right things to do for you in your old age."

The Life Church of God Ministry, under the leadership of Rev. Jethro Ayemobuwa, in its condolence said the demise of the late High Chief "is a painful blow and a great loss to the church and also a vacuum created, nevertheless, we take solace in the fact that God allowed it to the glory and we keep comforting ourselves with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18." The Rev. Ayemobuwa said the late Puwei who held various positions in the church "was his mentor, teacher, counselor and adviser" and "was dedicated and committed to the things of the Lord with his resources and time."

The Church of God Mission Int'l, Warri Zone 1, Goshen Headquarters, House of Fulfillment, in their message signed by Rev. Emmanuel Ameh said the church is "confident that he has gone to rest and we shall see him again on the resurrection day."

Kokodiagbene community, hometown of the late Puwei, in their tribute that was signed by its Chairman, Comr. Pedro Bekenawei, said the High Chief "was a man who used most of his active life in serving Kokodiagbene community. He was an outstanding advocate of peace... As chairman of the Kokodiagbene community between 1997 and 2002, Chief Ari's led executive did well and the community recorded landmark achievements, one of such was the Chevron Nigeria Limited Most Peaceful Award in 1998" and added that "No doubt, as a community, we will miss him greatly for his wise counsel and tutelage of good leadership."

The Gbaramatu Host Communities Development Trust, GHCDT, in their tribute signed by its Board of Trustee chairman, Chief Joseph Wuruyai, and titled 'An Outstanding and Uncommon Leader', said "The Puwei was a great man of peace, intelligence, sagacity and influence... In his dealings and interactions, Late High Chief J.G.B Ari was outstandingly transparent, open and exemplary. He was a known and acknowledged role model to many up and coming young chiefs, men and youths across board who admired him for his calm, cool and composed lifestyle with penetrating influence, impressive character and in particular, his transparency and example driven leadership."

The Omadino community in Warri South-West, through its chairman, Tuoyo Mogbeyiteren, said High Chief Ari is "A man of honesty and integrity" and that "the entire Omadino Community miss your demise from this sinful world" which has created "incomparable vacuum but God knows the best."

On their parts, the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Executive Director of Social Services, Chief (Hon.) Favour Izoukumor, and the Commissioner representing Ijaw ethnic nationality, Hon. Spencer Okpoye, also paid tributes on behalf of the intervention agency. Chief Izoukumor describes the late High Chief Ari as "an astute administrator and iconic community leader who contributed immensely to the formation of DESOPADEC as well as the unity, peace and progress of Delta State", while Hon. Okpoye said the death of the late Puwei "has created an irreplaceable vacuum!" stressing further that "He was a father-figure, pathfinder, pacesetter, role model to most of us. He was a rallying point for both politics and other critical national issues confronting the Ijaw ethnic nationality."

Still on tributes, the Izon Okosu Otu (Izon Council of Elders) in Delta State, through its chairman and secretary, Chief Bare Etolor and Chief Fred Anesah, respectively, said the late Puwei who joined the Izon Council of Elders at its early years was "one of the very committed, dependable, trusted and reliable members" whose "contributions to the growth and development of the body are outstanding and well documented." The Council further described the late Chief Ari as "a courageous fighter, a motivator yet a no-nonsense leader and father, a man of the people, a successful businessman and a gifted manager of crises" among other virtues, and that he remains "an icon widely admired especially for his contributions toward the emancipation of his people. He is a role model, a man of excellence and integrity personified. He left an indelible mark in our Council," they added.

Also, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Velas Facilities Nigeria Limited, Amb. Dr. Shedrack Agediga (JP), who was also a former executive director in DESOPADEC, said that the late Chief Ari was "indeed a library, a reservoir of history, traversing the traversing the length and breadth of Izon Nation and its neighbours. His death has no doubt created a very big space that cannot be replaced. He was full of wisdom. He was liberal, accommodating and cheerful" and added, "He touched lives positively."

Another business entity, Ekougha Global Services Limited, through its Managing Director, Mr. Gabriel Ukuli, recalled that as a child growing up in Kokodiagbene, he first heard of the name Chief J.G.B Ari before meeting with the late Puwei. He described that the late icon as "A complete patriot who was awarded the construction of the first concrete jetty in Kokodiagbene Town by the defunct OMPADEC and went on to complete the project without compromising quality... as the jetty stood the test of time."

A religious organization, the Izon Christian Fellowship, ICF, Delta State Chapter, in its message, signed by Pst. Anthony Burutu (Chairman), Apst. John Oti (Secretary) and Bishop Godwyns Soroaye JP (National Publicity Secretary), said late Chief Ari who was "a devoted servant of God and a role model with fatherly features... fought a good fight, finished the course and kept the faith."

Another spiritual body, the Izon Christian Association of Nigeria, in its released tributes signed by Pst. Eyiki Ekpolade and Apst Mike Ubebe PhD, chairman and secretary respectively, said late High Chief Ari had “a balance and well lived life” by raising his children well, and contributed to the church, society, community and kingdom in very great measure.

May his gentle soul rest peacefully in the Bosom of the Lord!

#penglobalsocial #ServiceofSongs