altA late aunt of the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, Senior Apostle Mother Afanni Obosi Youkedeba Bioko, has     been buried amidst eulogies, with the members of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Delta and Bayelsa States, saying that they will miss her motherly qualities and generosity.

The burial ceremony took place from Thursday, 4th to Saturday, 6th April, 2013, at Akobiri Quarter, Bulu-Angiama in Patani Local Government Area, Delta State, with the Minister of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Bulu-Angiama, Senior Apostle Rowland Senseman Miebi, describing the deceased as a very dutiful woman, who was very devoted.  

He said the late Senior Apostle Mother was a woman of good character, worthy of emulation, adding: “So long as death is concerned, there is nothing we caaltn do about it; because it awaits everybody. It is just that her death is quite painful to the entire church. We cannot forget her. She was the head of the whole women in the church and she had remarkable leadership qualities. She had all the attributes of a mother everybody enjoyed. In terms of financial commitment in the church, she contributed more than everybody. She contributed the highest all the time when she was alive. I call on people to emulate her lifestyle.”

Late Snr. Apostle Afanni Bioko, who was the “Efieun Nimi Ere” (meaning, “the woman who knew all the land boundaries”) of Bioko family, died at the age of 72yrs, and was survived by one son (Mr. Isaiah Bioko), two daughters (including Mrs. Benaebi Bioko-Ojigbare of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC), sixteen grand children and six great grand children.

The event featured cultural entertainment by Oroupa Cultural Troupe of Bayelsa State, which showcased well-choreographed dances and scintillating drama sketches, just as Owigiri music for the traditional wake-keep was supplied by Kelvin Duduku Dance Band of Bayelsa State.

Some of the dialtgnitaries that attended the burial include the Chairman of PDP Patani LGA, Hon. Godbless Omoniyi; SSA to Bayelsa State Governor on Youth Matters, Hon. Buokuromo Obosi; the Head of Department of Fine, Industrial and Theatre Arts, Niger Delta University, Dr. Wenikado Ganagana; the Director, Finance and Account, NICO, Mr. Godson Ordu; SA to ES NICO, Hon. Ebi Nelson Campbell; Deputy Director (Protocol), NICO, Mr. Alex Omojie; Co-ordinator, South-South Zone, NICO, Mr. James Imohiosen; Co-ordinator, South-East Zone, NICO, Mrs. Chioma Duru; Head, Enugu State Office, NICO, Nnaemeka Nwajagu; and the Director, Weekend Degree Programme, Delta State University, Abraka, Mr. Martin Odukuye, among others.

Patrick Nwagbo Obi
Corporate Affairs