By Jonathan Ugbal
Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Otu joined dozens of public office holders, entrepreneurs, family, friends, allies and associates of this predecessor, Senator Ben Ayade for the funeral of his father in-law, Pa Francis Ingwubel Akpo in Obudu on Saturday.
Pa Akpo, passed away on Good Friday, March 29, 2023 and was interred at his compound at Anderson Street in Obudu Local Government Area after a funeral service at Great St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish where Rev. Fr. Paul Bisong urged those in attendance to live in unity, an act which according to him made our forebears live long.
“Our parents lived longer because of the love they have for each other,” the clergyman said, adding that, “In as much as we live in this world, the ultimate time, date or year we will depart; you and I don’t know. So, live in peace and stop the fighting. We should love one another.”
The clergyman also urged the grieving family to follow the hymn which urges Christians to, “trust and obey,” as Pa Akpo is already in heaven.
Governor Otu on his part, told the lay faithful gathered that He has led Cross Riverians to mourn and celebrate someone who is deserving as Pa Akpo lived over the age of 80.
“I came to give honor to whom honor is due,” Otu said, adding that, “for a man to live up to 80 and above in this time, I think he should be celebrated,” the Governor added, and donated NGN15 million as his seed to the development of the Church which Pa Akpo served as the patron of her choir.
Ayade, in his remarks, pointed out that Pa Akpo was not only his father in-law but much more.
“For me, he was not just an in-law. He is a father, a brother, a friend. He was an inspiration to me while growing up and I wanted to be like him,” Ayade said, and further extolled his virtues, handsomeness and donated NGN10 million to the church which he, his wife, Dr. Linda Ayade and several other members of the family were baptized.
Asides Governor Otu, the Chairman of CSS Group and former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Dr. John Kennedy Opara; Ayade’s deputy, while he was Governor, Professor Ivara Esu; former Sports and Special Duties minister now serving as Director General of the Teachers Continous Training Institute, Biase, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja; legal luminary, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN; Speaker of the 10th Assembly of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, were at the event.
Also, Federal lawmakers, Senators Eteng Jones and Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr, Rt. Hon. Michael Etaba; former federal lawmakers, Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo and Hon. Jude Ngaji were also present.
The former Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Chief Liwhu Eugene Akeh, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu; and the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State, Alphonsus Ogar Esq were also present.
Survived by his wife, 11 children, 20 grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a host of in-laws and other relatives to mourn him, Pa Akpo who experienced older folks being conscripted by the colonialists, was a teacher, historian and community leader who promoted western education alongside a former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN.
See images of from the funeral below…
