By Christian Ogoh
A former Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Dr. Festus Okubor, has described his late father as an educationist who attached great value to education.
Okubor made this known during a posthumous service in honor of his father, Hon. Festus Njodini Okubor, who passed away 25 years ago.
Other activities of the event included family special thanksgiving, distributions of bags of rice, free drugs and free medicated glasses to over 5,000 persons present.
According to him, “my father’s passion for teaching and impacting knowledge knew no bounds. He loved education and ensured that he brought education to those who could not afford it.”
He recalled how his father encouraged other parents to educate their children in order to secure their future.
“If he were still alive, I would have knelt down before him to appreciate him for laying a good foundations for all his children.
“He was an English teacher and he will be greatly remembered by those he taught as one of the best English teachers in those days.
“Politically, Late Hon. Festus Njodini Okubor was not just a politician, but an activist. His desire to positively influence the society was legendary.
“He was a member of the Western Region Parliament and later became a member, Bendel State House of Assembly in 1983,” he stated.
“My late father saw no good in Nigerian going to war during the civil war and his staunch opposition to the civil war caused his incarceration for a long time at the Enugu Prison along with three other prominent sons of Ika Nation, who included Barr. Geoffrey Ohen, one Mr. Ehiedu and Dr. George Orewa of blessed memory,” he added.
Speaking, he noted that his father was also philanthropist and a devout Christian of the Anglican denomination, who deployed his resources in ensuring the growth of the church and betterment of others.
In a homily, the Bishop of Oleh Diocese, Rt. Revd. John Aruankpor, thanked Dr. Festus Goziem Okubor and his family for remembering their father.
He said that he was glad because the departed soul of Hon. Festus Njodini Okubor was lifted by God from the Enugu Prison to palace, the same way He did for Joseph.
Continuing, the bishop enjoined all the participants to emulate the Okubors, saying that unity and love were some of the unique things he knew that contributed to the progress in the lives of the children of the Late Hon. Okubor.
While praying for the family, he urged them to remain united.