The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, on Tuesday paid condolence visits to the families of Chief Fidelis Agbiki and Bishop Ebi Belepeigha over the loss of their loved ones in Yenagoa.
Dr. Akpe visited Chief Agbiki at his Opolo residence in Yenagoa to commiserate with him over the death of his daughter, Mrs. Dikemefa Benjamin (née Agbiki), who died on Monday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The Deputy Governor said the visit was to strengthen and encourage the family in their moment of profound grief.
He noted that nothing takes God by surprise, urging the family as Christians to draw fortitude from God, who is the owner of life, and to be thankful to Him in all things in obedience to the word of God.
Describing death as inevitable, Akpe called on the bereaved family not to allow grief to overwhelm them but to take solace in God who alone has answers to why such things happen.
“As God said in the Bible, in everything that happens, we should give Him thanks. As God’s children, we first give Him thanks even in difficult times such as this.
“We are here to see our father and the family over what happened, and to encourage and strengthen you. Clearly, what has happened is painful but we are here basically to encourage you and your entire family.
“Because we are God’s children, we believe that whatever God doesn’t permit cannot happen. That is the belief we have. All these things are in God’s agenda.
“For as long as we walk in the flesh, this encouragement is necessary. We know it is painful, but draw fortitude from God. The major lesson for us the living is that the things for which we fight and kill ourselves are ephemeral,” he said.
In his response, Chief Agbiki said the sudden demise of his daughter was painful and a sad development for the family.
Agbiki, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, described the late Mrs. Benjamin as a pillar of the family.
He expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor and his entourage for the visit, noting that the condolence was a huge source of relief and encouragement.
In a related development, Dr. Akpe also condoled with Bishop Ebi Belepeigha on the demise of his wife, Mrs. Kate Emomotimi Belepeigha.
The Deputy Governor, who visited the Belepeigha home along LaGold Street, Ekeki, Yenagoa, described the late Mrs. Belepeigha as a devout Christian, noting that her transition was to greater glory.
He said the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the Belepeighas and to remind the bishop that his vast knowledge of the Word of God would be a great source of strength to him and his family in this trying moment.
Earlier, Bishop Belepeigha described the condolence visit as a great honour to him and his family that will never be taken for granted, adding that it would help to assuage their pain and grief.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied on the visits by his wife, Dr. Favour Akpe; Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye-Sawyer; Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chief Saturday Odoko; Dr. Sylbrix Obriki; Prof. Princewill Igbagara and Deacon James Agari, among others
