Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has said that despite the state being populated by different ethnic groups, the state remains one united family.

Speaking at the Ozoro Country home of former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leo Ogor, Governor Oborevwori thanked the Isoko nation for their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the years and for his emergence as Governor of the state.

The Governor had earlier led top government functionaries including his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Member representing Isoko Federal Constituency, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, members of the House and other top government functionaries to the funeral ceremony of Mrs Catherine Odior, mother of the member representing Isoko North State Constituency, Hon. Bernard Odior.

He reiterated his resolve to be Governor for all Deltans and lauded Hon. Leo Ogor for being an exemplary party man.

Governor Oborevwori said: "Anytime I come here I am always very happy because there is no time I come here that you don't receive us very well.

"When I was Speaker and I used to come here with our leader the immediate past Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, we are always happy coming here because he is somebody that likes to host his people.

"We are happy to be here in your house even though we came here for a funeral service.

"Our dear leader we thank you for always standing for the party and we pray that God will continue to bless and keep you.

"You are one leader that has been very consistent because I remember when I came here on consultation you assured me and told me to go and sleep.

"You are somebody who believes in this party and I remember when we were looking for a replacement for our late Majority Leader, and the meeting was held here for almost three hours and you eventually agreed with the choice of the system in the interest of the party.

"You are a complete party man and on behalf of the Delta State Government, I thank you for always standing for the party.

"Delta State is one united family and as I have promised, I will be Governor for all Deltans.

"I want to appreciate you and we commiserate with you on the death of the mother of Hon. Bernard Odior and it is our prayer that God will grant her soul eternal rest."

Earlier in a sermon, at the funeral service at Alaka Grammar School, Ozoro, District Superintendent of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Pastor TBO Erhimu, said the best time to prepare for heaven and hell was while on earth and not in the grave.

He reminded the living of the need to give their lives to Christ to guarantee a place in heaven in death, stressing that there was no repentance in death.

The Cleric described the deceased as a mother that used her life for the service of God and humanity and charged her children to uphold her enviable legacies that endeared her to people while she was alive.

He commiserated with late Odior's family on the death of their matriarch and urged them to cast their trust on God as the only one that can fill the gap created by her demise.

•PHOTO: Delta Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori (2nd right), his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme (right), and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor (3rd left), with the Honourable member representing Isoko North State Constituency, Hon. Bernard Odior, his wife, Abigail Odior (4th left), and others at the funeral service in honour of Late Mrs Catherine Odior at Alaka Grammar School, Ozoro. Photo: Enarusai Bripin.

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