Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd of July 2021 will forever remain an unforgettable day for the people of Akamkpa, in Cross River State, as hundreds of important dignitaries stormed the town for the celebration of life for one of the daughters, Evangelist Comfort Asuquo, who happens to be the mother to Hon. Daniel Asuquo, who represents Akamkpa Local Government in the House of Reps.
Evang. Comfort Asuquo was not just a great woman in her lifetime; she was a woman of virtue who impacted on a lot of people’s life. This explains why the indigenes of Akamkpa left what they are had to do to gather at the Akamkpa Local Government Council, where the Christian Wake Keep took place on Friday and on Saturday for the burial service.
The crowd at this venue was so enormous. It was uncountable. The setting of the field was like that of a political campaign, and that explains how the whole place was jam-packed. Apart from the presence of many dignitaries that came to support the man of the people, the great son of the soil, Hon. Daniel Asuquo and his siblings; the Asuqou’s family, friends and well wishers also turned up big time to pay their last respect for this great woman who has left a good foot print on the sand of time.
Lots of dignitaries spoke well of Evangelist Comfort Asuquo during their tribute, Many people described her as a woman of virtue, who will be greatly miss by the family, for his remarkable contributions, especially in the life of her children. According to Bayelsa Governor, His Excellency Gov. Donyee Diri, in his speech “Today we are all here to honor a quintessential woman. A woman that has served the humanity, a woman that has also led a good life and today as it is with all mortal she is no more. But we are consoled that she had left a family behind, a family that will continue to carry on her good works. I do not have any personal relationship with her, but I have personal relationship with her own son, Hon. Asuquo Daniel who was my sitting neighbor in the green chamber in the House of Representatives. We served in the same Assembly and I saw a man who was calm, peaceful, calculative, focused and visionary. I have no doubts in my mind that all of these were implanted in him via the woman we are honoring today. And so when he told me about the demise of his mother, and checking through my schedules and Calendar, I assured him that I was going to be here personally. Daniel Asuquo, not even one day throughout our 4 years in the green chamber had quarrel or picked quarrels with anybody. At all times his disposition is peaceful. At all times his disposition is development oriented. I like to say today as we honour and as this great woman goes home; her legacies will continue to reverberate. And for us who are living, we must take clue from what this woman was, just like the way the man of God has said it during his preaching; rather than pursuing the vanity of vanities as the bible describes it, let us pursue eternal life. In whatever offices we find ourselves, as Governor, as President, as Commissioners, as Senators, as a member of the House of Representatives, as a member of the house Assembly, it is all the vanity of vanities. How do we impact the people around us? If Daniel Asuquo was one troublesome person I may not have been here. Whatever office we find ourselves; it’s just for a time, it will certainly come and go. Offices are ephemerals, but the impact you leave behind will remain forever. I’m sure that this great woman, who had impacted the lives while she even served as the Chairlady in Akamkpa Local Government Area is what led to these crowd I’m seeing here to honour her. She has led and left treads of relationship with the people of Akamkpa and the people of Cross River state and wherever she found herself. The lessons here today is that enough of bitterness. Ephesians 4:30 told us not to hate, not to have bitterness, but exude love and oneness. For me it is indeed a great pleasure to be here, representing the Government and the people of Bayelsa state and bringing all the greetings to her brothers and our sisters in cross River State and we believe that this woman will continue to rest in peace, and her legacies will forever remain ever greened. Thank you and God bless you”.
And also the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, ably represented by his deputy, …… sent message to Hon. Daniel Asuquo and the family, “ This message is to Hon. Daniel Asuquo, the Member of the House of Representatives in Abuja. I received the shocking and sadly news of the passage unto eternal glory of your mother, late Mrs Comfort Asuquo who passed on to great beyond on Wednesday 12th of May, 2021 at the age of 74. I know for certain that her death is a traumatic experience for you and entire family, especially the children, and that has created a void in the family that would be impossible to fill. I share this moment of pain with you, knowing the close affinity that existed between her and her family and urge you to be consoled in the fact that in consonance with the biblical injunction as contain in Eccle 3:2 that there is a time for everything. There is a time for giving birth and a time for dieing. By her transition, she has only answered the divine call for a higher assignment with her creator. Late (Mrs) Comfort Asuquo was a great wife, a great mother who moved heaven and earth for the sake of her children and a tireless business woman. She scrupulously honest, disciplined and resilient and impacted many other values to not only her children but all those who came within the ambit of her influence. She was a woman who devoted life to the service of God. As you pass through the agonizing moment of her painful demise, I on behalf of my family, the Government and the entire people of River State commiserate with you and the entire family and pray God grants you all the fortitude to bear the loss. I also pray God grant her soul eternal and peaceful rest in His bossom”
After the burial service, the remains of late Mrs Comfort Asuquo was laid to rest in his son’s compound, and the reception commenced afterwards, where a beautiful tent was erected to host the dignitaries’ right at the back of the Hon. Asuqou’s house. And it played host to many important dignitaries. There were enough and different kinds of food with assorted drinks.
Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were; Apostle Trinity Oga, Bishop Etim Peter Akpama, Apostle Mfon Peter Bassey, Apostle Goddey, Most Rev O.B Ekpenyon, CAN Chairman of Cross River State, Evang. Michael Asuquo, All Chapter Chairman of PDP, Ntufam Anta Danwo, Mr&Mrs James Ebri, Prof Lydia Bassey, Evang Victor Uwis and wife, Prof Zana Akpagu, Rt, Hon. Uduak, Auba, Hon. Tonye Briggs Oniyide, Mr Authur Archibong, H.E RT Hon frank Auah, Former speaker CRSHA and acting governor. RT Hon Ndidi Flumelu Minority leader house of representatives, Rev. Asuquo Ekponyong (Christians for Jesus), Apoatle Peter Eteng Gaskin (Freedom Chapel). Pastor Dr. Awak Anam RCCG, Mrs Marie Asein the acting MD Representative of NPA, High Chief Gabriel Dmoden Founder of Access Schools, Evang. Ephraim Effiong (Prayer City), Chief Godwin Etta, RT. Hon APT Essien Ayi, John Offiong, Victoria Effiom Ekpanong Asi Matron Ukpo Specialist Hospital, Are Moses Oladele MD Iconic, Ken Egbus (Former Special Adviser to Governor Imoke and Chairman to Starr Group), H.Lordship Mrs Grace Edet, Dr Petet Ojie, Mr Knuf Ndoma-Egba, Mr EJ. Williams, Mike Ohiani DG-ICRL, Elder Chief and elder Mrs Ogban Ebock, Pastor Ireawyi, Uka, M.E Asein representing acting MD NPA, RT. HON Haya Nyan ADIGW, Okon Nyong Owuna and many others.
– SUNDAY ADIGUN.
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