From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has approved automatic employment for the three children of late Mrs. Lucky-ere Etete following the death of their 56-year-old mother in July this year.
Mrs. Etete was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) women leader in Sampou community, hometown of the governor, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri gave the directive on Friday during her lying-in-state/funeral service at Sampou.
He said upon the death of her husband at an early age, she took up the responsibility of training her three daughters, who were now graduates.
Paying glowing tribute to the deceased, the Bayelsa helmsman said she contributed her quota to the development of her community through her role as leader of the women.
He described Mrs. Etete as a hardworking business woman and staunch supporter of the PDP with an unwavered loyalty to the party.
According to him, as a mark of respect and honour, he made it a point of duty to pay his last respect despite his busy schedule.
“What mattered most to me was the relationship we shared and not the support we were able to offer her. She was one of my fervent party supporters.
“We truly tried to save her life. Unfortunately, there were other complications and we lost her. But what we can ensure is to cater for the children that she left behind.
“Lucky-ere was a business woman and after the death of her husband, she took up the responsibility of supporting her three children and was able to sponsor their education. Today they are graduates.
“l therefore direct that the Deputy Chief of Staff, chairman of the Environmental Sanitation Authority and chairman of the Civil Service Commission ensure the immediate employment of Woyengidenyefa Akpeti, Woyengotonyo Akpeti and Mrs Woyengidipamo Doowari Anyama.”
Immediate past Kolokuma/Opokuma PDP caucus chairman, Chief Isaac Kumokou, in his tribute, described Etete as a lover of Sampou community, who participated actively in its activities.
Chief Kumokou said that though she was young, she demonstrated maturity and served as a role model to mothers.
In a brief exhortation titled, “Death, A Passage Unto Eternity,” Pastor Emmanuel Zitua of the Living Faith Bible Church encouraged people to strive to make positive impact on the lives of others.
Referencing the book of Joshua 24:15, Pastor Zitua enjoined Christians to serve the Lord in order to live a purposeful life.
