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| Deaconess Cecilia Izogie Ogbeifun |
President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria
(SOAN), Engr. Greg Ogbeifun and the entire Ogbeifun family, on Thursday, March
7, laid their mother Deaconess (Mrs) Cecilia Izogie Ogbeifun to rest in her home
in Benin City, Edo State.
The Ogbeifun matriarch, 100 years old until her
death on January 9, 2019, was a devout Christian who exercised her faith worshiping at the Christ Apostolic Church of God Mission.
Mama Ogbeifun’s final journey started with a
lying-in- state on Thursday, March 7 at her residence in Benin, and followed by
a Service of Songs at same venue.
lying-in- state on Thursday, March 7 at her residence in Benin, and followed by
a Service of Songs at same venue.
Family, friends, well-wishers from all walks of
life including the maritime industry graced the event to pay their last respect
to the departed.
life including the maritime industry graced the event to pay their last respect
to the departed.
Taking the first Bible reading for the occasion,
Mama’s first child, Mrs Elizabeth Idele, extolled Mama’s virtues as she read the
book of 1 Corinthians 15: 40-58 encouraging everyone to be active in God’s
service.
Mama’s first child, Mrs Elizabeth Idele, extolled Mama’s virtues as she read the
book of 1 Corinthians 15: 40-58 encouraging everyone to be active in God’s
service.
The late Mama Ogbeifu was later interred in the
family compound in Ogida Quarters, Benin City, after a funeral service by
officiating pastors from the Christ Apostolic Church of God Mission.
family compound in Ogida Quarters, Benin City, after a funeral service by
officiating pastors from the Christ Apostolic Church of God Mission.
The family hosted their guests at a social gathering on Friday.
Family and friends of the Ogbeifun family will
gather again on Sunday for an outing/thanksgiving service at the Christ
Apostolic Church of God Mission in Ugbowo, Benin City.
gather again on Sunday for an outing/thanksgiving service at the Christ
Apostolic Church of God Mission in Ugbowo, Benin City.
Popularly called “Mama Ijesu” by those who live
within her vicinity, Mama Ogbeifun was born in 1919 to the Osemwegie family of
Ekwe community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
within her vicinity, Mama Ogbeifun was born in 1919 to the Osemwegie family of
Ekwe community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
In 1943, she got married to Mr. Jackson Igbinosa
Ogbeifun and they both lived in the Eastern part of the country for many years
before returning to Benin City shortly before the Biafra War.
Ogbeifun and they both lived in the Eastern part of the country for many years
before returning to Benin City shortly before the Biafra War.
Industrious, yet committed to caring for her
family, Mama was also notable for her evangelical works in her community, even
as she was generous to all around her.
family, Mama was also notable for her evangelical works in her community, even
as she was generous to all around her.
Mama was blessed with 10 children, 43
grandchildren and 22 great- grandchildren.
grandchildren and 22 great- grandchildren.
