The late Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was on Friday laid to relaxation at his nation residence in Ofoni Federated Communities, Sagbama Native Authorities Space of the state.
President Bola Tinubu represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Sources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, former President Goodluck Jonathan and his spouse, Dame Persistence, Speaker of the Home of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas represented by the Majority Chief, Julius Ihonvbere, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and the previous Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, had been among the many dignitaries that graced the funeral service on the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ofoni.
Talking through the service, President Tinubu mentioned Ewhrudjakpo’s demise was an enormous loss not solely to the state however to the nation at giant given his legacy of service.
The President said that the late deputy governor left an indelible mark on the sands of time and that posterity will probably be type to him.
Whereas expressing condolences to the Ewhrudjakpo household, the federal government and folks of Bayelsa, Tinubu, in line with an announcement by Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, urged them to take solace in the truth that he lived a great life.
He additionally said that Ewhrudjakpo fought a great battle and prayed God to consolation his household and all these affected by his loss of life.
His phrases: “I convey you greetings and heartfelt condolences from Mr. President, who would have been right here however he’s on a state go to to Turkey.
“Life is about service and legacy. Posterity will all the time choose everyone.
“By this commonplace, we will comfortably say that Ewhrudjakpo lived a great life. He will probably be remembered for his knowledge and selfless service.”
In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan said that Ewhrudjakpo’s loss of life was a bitter capsule to swallow however that as Christians, these affected ought to give due to God in step with the bibilical educating that urges believers to thank God in all issues.
Jonathan described Ewhrudjakpo as a great man, saying it’s uncommon for individuals to talk so extremely of a politician that rose to the place of deputy governor.
The previous President additionally mentioned the late Ewhrudjakpo impacted the lives of all those that got here involved with him positively and prayed that God will present one other individual for the individuals of Ofoni to fill his footwear.
He mentioned: “As Christians, we are saying in all issues we give due to God. Even at that, sure issues occur and you discover it troublesome to thank God. The loss of life of Lawrence is certainly one of these.
“Everybody speaks good of Lawrence. He was a great man who associated effectively with individuals. It is vitally troublesome to discover a politician who rose to the place of deputy governor to be effectively spoken of on this method.”
Additionally, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, described the passing of his deputy as a harsh actuality that was unimaginable to disregard however mentioned God who took him can’t be questioned.
Governor Diri mentioned Ewhrudjakpo was a really cautious one that would have been alive if life relied on being cautious however mentioned God who took him is aware of greatest.
He expressed appreciation to Mr. President, his spouse, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and all those that in a method or one other consoled the state authorities and contributed to the success of the burial.
He mentioned, “At this time we collect beneath this sober environment of grief in addition to in gratitude to honour a person of excellent public service. The Scriptures remind us in Job 14:1–8, that human life is “of few days and filled with bother,” a fragile bloom that fades.
“That harsh actuality, unimaginable to disregard or erase, frames our mourning. Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo got here forth like a flower. For a season, he brightened our days, and now he has been taken from our sight by the Almighty God.”
In a sermon, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, admonished Christians to not mourn like these with out hope, saying their focus needs to be on their Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
He additionally urged Christians to stay in line with the values of God’s kingdom, saying Ewhrudjakpo was very forthright, beneficiant and humble and needs to be emulated by politicians.
Different dignitaries in attendance had been former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, spouse of the Bayelsa Governor, Justice Persistence Diri, Governor of Enugu State represented by the Secretary to the State Authorities, rapid previous Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief Seriake Dickson in addition to the deputy governors of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Benue, Abia, Plateau, and Bauchi states.
Additionally current had been the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Watson-Jack, Managing Director, Niger Delta Growth Fee, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, his Niger Delta Basin Growth Authority counterpart, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, former Nationwide Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Social gathering, Prince Uche Secondus, spouse of first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Margaret Alamieseigha, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce in addition to former deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, his Rivers State counterpart, Tele Ikuru, and the President, Nigeria Soccer Federation, Ibrahim Gusau.
Additionally in attendance had been members of the Nationwide Meeting from Bayelsa State, together with Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) in addition to the Home of Representatives members – Dr. Mitema Obordor (Ogbia), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw) and Mrs. Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass) in addition to the Speaker of the Bayelsa State Home of Meeting, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere and different state legislators, the Secretary to the State Authorities, Prof Nimibofa Ayawei, chairman of the Bayelsa State Conventional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Pere of Tarakiri Kingdom, King Seiyifa Koroye, captains of trade, spiritual leaders amongst different personalities.
The Bayelsa State Deputy Governor died on December 11, 2025 after he collapsed in his workplace within the Authorities Home.