Culled from the Niger Delta Standard
Igoniko Oduma, Yenagoa and Olawale Lamina, PH.
President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was among prominent personalities who yesterday honoured late Mrs. Alaere Alaibe, wife of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe at her funeral service. The funeral service was held at the Alaibe's compound in Igbainwari community in Opokuma clan, Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa state.
President Yar'Adua, who was represented by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, remarked that Alaere lived an enterprising life of dedication to service and humanity. He noted that Mrs. Alaibe, while on earth touched many was inspiring to her numerous admirers. President Yar'Adua enjoined Timi Alaibe and members of the family to be encouraged by the fact that his late wife had gone to be with God Almighty after her good works on earth. "My heart goes out to you, the entire members of your family and the very many people whose lives were touched by Alaere in the course of her short-lived but inspiring and fulfilled sojourn on earth. "In the midst of death, grief and pain which you must feel, given the magnitude of the loss, you must take solace from the fact that your wife has gone to be with the Almighty Lord after an enterprising life of dedication to service and humanity. "On behalf of the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and my behalf, I extend heartfelt condolences to you and pray for Almighty God's strength and understanding and wisdom on you and the children at this time. "May her soul find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen", the President said. Speaking in his capacity as the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan said life was not about how long people lived, but how people impact positively the environment around them. The Vice President added that though Alaere lived a very short life, like a good actor, she left the stage when the ovation was loudest, stressing she played her role very well."The basic truth about life is not really how long you lived, but how you impact positively the environment and those around you. How you change your immediate family, your larger family, your community, the local government area, the state and the Federal Government where you have the opportunity", he noted. Jonathan, who was accompanied by his wife Dame Patience, said Alaere would be missed by her family, the larger family, the Niger Delta region and the entire Nigeria, urging that she should not be mourned as her life was eventful and meaningful. "We join others to console the family but say that they should not mourn. My dear brother, Timi Alaibe, the children and members of the immediate family, we say our sister has left us. We should not mourn", the Vice President said.
Governors Timipre Sylva, Ikedi Ohakim, Theodore Orji, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Liyel Imoke of Bayelsa, Imo, Abia, Edo and Cross Rivers States, respectively, showered encomiums on Alaere. The governors, who described death as a necessary end and would come when it would, noted that Alaibe's wife, through her non-governmental organization, Family Re-Orientation, Education and Empowerment (FREE) touched numerous lives. They however, prayed that God would grant Alaibe, the children and the family the fortitude to bear what they described as the "irreparable loss" of Alaere.
Also giving a tribute on behalf of the board and management of the NDDC, the chairman Mr. Dan Abia extolled the virtues of Alaere, saying she had a clear vision that endeared her to all manner of people. Dan noted as a woman of substance, Alaere provided emotional stability to her husband and changed many lives for better through FREE and defended the weak and the poor.
In his response, the husband of the deceased, Chief Timi Alaibe said the death of his wife, Alaere, was a burden too heavy for him. He said Alaere was his friend, wife and mother, adding that she was not only a pillar of support to him and his career but a servant to humanity. Alaibe told the crowd of sympathizers that their presence at the funeral service was enough support to him and his family, saying they were all encouraged. While expressing profound appreciation to all and sundry, Alaibe assured that the legacies of his late wife would continue ceaselessly.
Other dignitaries at the funeral service conducted by Reverend Father Matthew Hassan-Kukah included deputy governor of Bayelsa state, Peremobowei Ebebi, Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Werinipre Seibarugu, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri, Ambassador Boladei Igali, Secretary to Government of Bayelsa State, Mr. Gideon Ekeuwei.
Igoniko Oduma, Yenagoa and Olawale Lamina, PH.
