The Service of Songs ceremony for the Late Mama Isomu Odudu (Nee Igbogidi), a native of Kokodiagbene and Oporoza communities, all in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, witnessed eulogies from families and sympathisers that thronged the event to honour the late mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who passed away at the age of 91 years.

The ceremony held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Terakpo Street off DSC Express Road in Otokutu, Udu Local Government Area, with rendition of hymns, Bible readings, testimonies, a brief sermon, prayers for the family members among other activities.

Officiated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Bethel Zone, the first, second, third and fourth Bible readings were taken by Mama's son, Mr. Adiel Odudu (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8); Mama's daughters: Lady Maria Kemnele (1 Corinthians 15:40-48), and Mrs. Tombra Odudu (Revelations 20:1-15), and Mama's grandson, Mr. Samson Odudu (Revelations 22:1-15), respectively.

"God gave us a great mother," said Lady Kemnele while sharing her testimony of her late mother to the audience. "A mother that always seek the wellbeing of her children. She was a mother that, when we are crying she feels our pain, and when we are progressing, she rejoices in her heart."

She narrated to the audience how she spent many days with Mama in the hospital and how she encouraged her to always lean unto Jesus when in pains, adding further that before the day of her passing Mama slept peacefully after days of discomfort, and died a peaceful death.

"The dead has gone, it is the living that matters," Lady Kemnele continued as she counselled, "what we do with our lives now is what matters..." while admonishing her audience that while Mama has done her part and has left, it is now left for them who are alive to do what is right, by shunning evil and looking unto God "so that at the end of the day He will crown us with that glory."

An elder, Sylvester Piniki, while alluding to the fact that the passing of Mama was a shock to him, confessed that “Since I have come to know her, she has been a very caring woman, a woman that have understanding, a woman that is very plain, a woman that values her brothers and sisters... All I want to say is that the glory of God will go with Mama because Mama is a good woman. She will have peace in the grave. May God bless her wherever she is,” he prayed. 

A member of the RCCG Bethel Zone where Mama worshipped until her demise, Mrs. Mary Otikpo, admitted that she was one of Mama's many admirers whom they referred to as “Ijaw Mama” because of her fashion-sense and a dedicated member in the church.

Also in attendance is Rev. Fr. Jude Dominic who traveled all the way from the St. Dominic's Catholic Church in Kwali, Abuja, where one of Mama's daughter and her husband worshipped, to attend the ceremony, recounted how the daughter of Mama, Lady Kemnele and her husband, have been kind and in supportive of the work of God, an attribute the Rev. Fr. said they both got from Mama whom many have testified was a generous woman while alive.

"I am appealing to everyone of us here, wherever you are, let us remember that in this world that we are, the best we can do is to love and to share generosity with one another. As you can see, people remember Mama for her so many generous works and her kindness. I also want to believe, people who are generous and kind are also forgiven, they take life easy, they don't find it difficult to forgive," Rev. Fr. Dominic added.

A step daughter of Mama, Mrs. Rachael, said that despite her status as a step child, Mama took her and other children as her own. She described Mama as a woman that doesn't discriminate, a caring, kind woman and a peacemaker in not only the family but in society at large.

Highpoint of the ceremony was a sermon titled "How Prepared Are You?" delivered by Pastor (Mrs.) Dukuye of the RCCG Bethel Zone with Bible reference taken from Matthew 25:1-12. She stressed on all in attendance to be prepared by seeking the Holy Spirit, and that in accordance with Matthew 16:26 and Hebrew 9:27, humanity should fear God by building a strong relationship with Him so as to make Heaven, while noting that everyone will surely depart this world she described as "a market place", one day.

The remains of the Late Mama Isomu Odudu will be laid to rest on Friday, November 3, in her home town Oporoza, followed by a Thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 5, at the Anglican Church. She is survived by six children, 27 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, two daughters in-law, three sons in-law, and other relatives. May her soul sleep peacefully in the Bosom of the Lord, Amen.

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