Edo Head of Service, Idahor Eulogises Late father at Burial

Father of the Head of Service, Edo State, Mrs. Gladys Idahor, late Pa Pius Idumwonyi Iyangbe, who died at age 97, has been buried at his residence in Benin City.

The funeral mass for late Pa Iyangbe was earlier held at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Ukhegie in Benin and was attended by family members, friends and dignitaries from within and outside the state.

In her tribute, Mrs. Idahor eulogised the exceptional qualities of her late father, who she described as a great man of humility, lauding his “patience, just and, peaceful demeanour.”

She said "Against all odds and advice that female children should not be educated, he sent us to school. I imagine where we would have been if he had heeded people's advice not to send us to school. I am indeed grateful for this rare opportunity and I will forever cherish his Christian values."

Dignitaries at the funeral mass included the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie; wife of the Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; wife of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, Chairman of the State All Progressives Congress (APC).

Others were Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Princess Ekiewa Ineh; Senator Roland Owie; Women Leader, APC, Edo State, Dr. Aisosa Amadasun; serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, former Heads of Service, special advisers, and commissioners.

Late Iyangbe was born on 20th day of May 1920. He attended Benin Baptist and Niger Secondary Modern School for his standard six and Modern Three Certificates respectively. In January 1954, he was employed as a teacher by the Anglican Mission and deployed to St Stephen Primary School, Odighi.

Until his death, he was the Okaegbe of Emezi family of Benin Kingdom.