BY AMB. (P)COMR. OMARAYERUE BLESSING EGBAGBARA (JP) DFIPCER
When good people die, the news is always received with great shock by those who know the person, or that has a cause to be associated with him or her.
Death is a very painful experience to the family, friends and close associates from which the deceased hailed from and interact with. No wonder Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late sage Paraphrased the views of other Philosophers on life, when he said that life is all about how well one spelt it and not how long, that adding an hour or minutes of overcrowded honour is better than an age without a name.
The above stated few quotations of mine, proudly add up the life, and time of Late Mr. Jabin Okpomire who was lost to the cool hands of death in the early hours of Wednesday July 2nd 2025, the first few days and the second half or third quarter of the year 2025. When people are shouting happy new month and planning for the second half of the year, the part of the year that accommodates the Iheri festival of the prestigious Ughelli Kingdom and the Universal festival of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. What a great loss to the Adjeneh family, Ofuoma Community? The sad news of the death of Mr. Jabin Okpomire was received by us, I will term his family, the Ofuoma Community and boys with huge shock, who knew that a quintessence, detribalized, truth sayer, man of peace, the great spokesman, mediator, a dedicated family and community man and above all, a friend of both the high and the low. His death was a colossus loss to the immediate family, St. Benedict Catholic Church Ofuoma, Ofuoma Community, the Ughelli kingdom and to everyone that has close contact with him throughout his life time.
Records have it that Late Mr. Jabin Okpomire was a committed Civil servant, who served the Bendel State Cum Delta State Government and retired meritoriously by Ohe Chief Ibori led PDP administration of Delta State. At Ufuoma Secondary school, where he worked under a number of principals such as Major Obiebi of Blessed memories, Mr. Ojadonor, Revs. Onodiama, Oguowi, Mrs. Kate Onoseghe, Late Chief Jimmy Ogberahwe (JP) of blessed memories, and the Ofuoma community. He stayed fully as a member of the Ofuoma Community elders council and spokesman to different most senior elders of the community, shows that he has passions for the growth and development of Ofuoma Secondary school, the students, Ofuoma community as well as the welfare of his colleagues, indigenes and non-indigenes of Ofuoma Community. This is examplified by the encouragement and counselling he gives to both students and colleagues then and the Ofuoma Community, indigenes and non-indigenes when issues are brought to his attention. He was a kind hearted man, soft spoken, loving, who placed the interest of the family, Ofuoma Community over and above himself. He will be remembered for his humbleness, respect, voluntary appearance for people in need of conflict resolutions and matured approach to issues brought to his notice.
During his stay as a staff of Ofuoma Secondary School Ofuoma, and as spokesman to the different most elderly men of Ofuoma Community, he carries along both students, fellow colleagues and the co munity along, to the extent that most cases were reported to him for counselling and guidance before summon at the elder’s council meeting and some staff were getting more courage and advice from him, thereby Nicknaming him the principal himself.
Those with these policies in life are very rare. By his death, the Adjeneh family, Ofuoma Community, those of us, his boys have lost a courageous, sageous, truth sayer, the mediator, renowned and very vibrant dedicated, peace loving, spokesman of Ofuoma Community of high repute.
It is therefore the belief of the writer that the appropriate prayer for the Late Mr. Jabin Okpomire is that God in His infinite mercy grant all those associated with him most especially, the immediate family, the strength and fortitude to bear the irreplaceable lost. Late Mr. Jabin Okpomire has gone home, the shrub are going to be scotched by the sun and lashed vigorously by the Ofuoma Community and those of us associated with him, the Adjeneh family, Ofuoma Community, Catholic Parish Ofuoma and those of us his associates he mediates for, have lost a rare gem, in the person of Late Mr. Okpomire Jabin, whose vacuum will be very difficult to fill.
As we are praying God to wipe off every of our tears, we take solace in the fact that you left your footprints on the sand of times by the various positive contributions and roles you played to the growth and development of humanity, family and Ofuoma Community, which will speak on your behalf for your scions and that you are merely called for a higher service by our creator.
We your close associates are further consoled by what the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo said of his many works (Voice of Courage) That it is not life that matters but the courage put into it.
May your generous, Vibrant, humble and cheerful soul continue to rest undisturbed in the peace and bosom of God, till we meet to part no more and continue with the implementation of good governance in our peaceful Ofuoma Community.
Adieu Mr. Jabin Okpomire!
Goodnight the peace maker!!
Goodnight the Great mediator & Counsellor!!!
