By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Elder statesman, Atuekong Annang and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Don Obot Etiebet, CON, has commiserate with the publisher of THE CONCLAVE online newspaper, Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo, on the passing of his mother, Madam Aishetu Ojeifo, on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 91, exactly two months to her 92nd birthday on December 12, 2024.
In a letter he personally signed, Etiebet wrote: “Oh, my dear friend, Sufuyan Ojeifo, I am sad to hear of your mother’s passing to eternal glory. Though she died at the ripe age of 91 going to on to 92, it is sad and painful to lose a mother who had brought you up to be what you are today.
May her great soul rest in peace. May the Almighty God give you and all in the family she left behind the grace to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
With my warm greetings. Yours, Chief Don Etiebet, CON.”
Another elder statesman and Seriki Musulumi of Afenmailand, Senator Yisa Braimoh (who represented Edo North in the Nigerian Senate from 2007 to 2011) identified with THE CONCLAVE publisher in his moments of grief.
Braimoh wrote: “oh dear, my dear Sufuyan, I have just gotten the sad news of the passing on of mama Aishetu at the ripe age of 91 years old. So sorry, Sufuyan. May the Almighty Allah forgive all her mistakes and grant her safe passage into Aljannah. Amin Ya Rahman.”
Immediate past Minister of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, CON, and his wife, Princess Catherine Agba have also extended their heartfelt condolences to Mr Ojeifo.
The Agbas wrote: “We commiserate with you on the passing on of your mother. The loss of someone as dear as a beloved mother is very painful and devastating but take solace in the fact that she lived a good and impactful life as evidenced by you. May God grant you and your family the fortitude to bear this loss. May her soul rest in the Bosom of the Lord!”
A former Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Lawali Shuaibu (who represented Zamfara North in the Senate from 1999 to 2007) got across to THE CONCLAVE publisher with his prayers and words of comfort: “Sufuyan, may Allah forgive the shortcomimgs of your mother and grant her Aljannatul Firdaus! Amin ya Allah. May her gentle soul enjoy peace in her grave, Ameen.”
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Emadeb Energy Group, Mr Adebowale Olujimi prayed for the repose of Madam Aishetu’s soul in the Bosom of the Almighty God and that He would grant her family that she left behind the fortitude to bear her irreplaceable loss.
A longtime friend of Mr Ojeifo and US-based businessman, Mr Teddy Obaseki, prayed for the repose of Madam Aishetu’s beautiful soul in the Bosom of her Creator, even as he described her passing as ‘a celebration of life well lived in the service of God, her family and the community which she positively impacted with her good works.”
University Don and former Commissioner at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr Ademola Adebo, who once met with the late Madam Aishetu, when he chaired the wedding reception of Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo in Ifaki Ekiti in 1997, described Madam Aishetu as “a mother indeed” and prayed the Almighty God to grant her eternal repose in His Bosom.
A former Commissioner of Information in Edo State, Prince Kassim Afegbua commiserated with THE CONCLAVE publisher, praying that the Almighty God would grant “mama eternal rest in His Bosom. He added: “no matter the age, when we lose our dear ones, it hurts to the marrow. Please, take heart, my brother.”
The Chief Medical Director/CEO of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin City, Dr Philip Ugbodaga also sent his heartfelt condolences.
Read Dr Ugbodaga: My dear Sufuyan, I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your beloved mother at the age of 91 years. My heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I recall all the remarkable stories you told me about your mother and the very close relationship you maintained with her. She was an extraordinary woman whose kindness, compassion, and generosity inspired countless lives, and her unwavering love and guidance shaped you into the incredible person you are today. Her legacy will live on through you and your family. May her love continue to guide you, and may God grant you the fortitude to bear the irreparable and irreplaceable loss.”
Mr Akin Adekunle, a Port-Harcourt-based technocrat and family friend, sent a touching condolence message to the THE CONCLAVE publisher. This is what he wrote: “Suffy, my brother, your late-night call to me yesterday to announce Mama’s passing dealt me a blow from which it is hard to recover.
“I have the honour to regard Mama as my family mother, one who mentored us with a high degree of affection and devotion not different from the one she shared with her own children.
“Mama was a matriarch whose sterling disposition of generosity and sacrifice positively affected all that came in contact with her. Mama was that light that beaconed hope and welcome to the weary, forlorn and despondent. She opened her heart, her purse and home to all and sundry.
“Mama’s life brings to life the words contained in Proverbs 31. She showed empathy and understanding for others even at those moments when she was beset with personal tragedies which she surmounted with uncommon strength and faith.
“I condole with you my brother on the passing of our mother but I also join you in rejoicing at the enviable life she lived and the worthy legacies she bequeathed to the world through all of us children that she both birthed and mentored. May God Almighty comfort and strengthen you, Kabir and Brother Mayor. Amen.”
Some of several significant people who had reached out to Mr Ojeifo with their heartfelt condolences and prayers for strength in his time of grief included: The MD of Airwaves Limited, Mr Ajeet Batsa; Security Consultant, Dr Muktari Yaro; President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Ms Maureen Chigbo (on behalf of herself and the Guild), Publisher of THISNIGERIA and respected columnist, Mr Eric Osagie; Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Public Engagement, Mr Fredrick Nwabufo; a former Commissioner of Communication in Edo State, Barrister Andrew Emwanta; former editor of Daily Independent newspaper, Mr Akpandem James, a former Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Dr Zakari Lawal; three former Special Assistants to the immediate past minister of state for budget and national planning, namely: Mr Attanacius Ugbome, Dr Elizabeth Ebosele and Mr Abdulraham Rajab.
A former Personal Assistant to the late Chief Tony Anenih, Barrister Peter Abulu, a former acting DG of NTA, Mr Sola Atere; a former Executive Director in NDIC, Hon Simon Ogie, a former director at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs Uduak Etokowoh; Editor of Saturday Tribune, Dr Lasisi Olagunju; celebrated columnist, Mr Yomi Odunuga; veteran journalist, Mr Gbade Ogunwale; a former president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Lanre Ogundipe; a former governorship candidate in Imo State, Dr James Okoroma; Legal Adviser to Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Barrister Uche Anyanwu; a retired Director in the Ministry of Works, Engineer Bosah; a former NUJ chairman in Edo State, Otunba Mike Aladenika; South Africa-based businessman, Kenneth Ayere; Director of Media and Publicity of Ondo APC, Mr Steve Otaloro; Publisher of PRNigeria, Yushai Shaibu; an Executive Director at Authority Newspaper, Mr Chucks Akunna; former MD of Lagos Signage Agency, Mobolaji Sanusi; a former special assistant Nigeria’s Presidency and celebrated author, Dr Tunde Olusunle, an academic, Bidemi Osunbiyi, PR specialist, Dr Eddy Odumosu; CHief Press Secretary to former Deputy Senate President, Mr Sunny Areh; Prof Taye Obateru, Mr Tommy Odenwinge, Mr Henry Asor in charge of DAD at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, among others.