The coastal community of Sokebolou  in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State played host on Friday, July 25, 2025, to political, business and other class of dignitaries who joined the Agediga family to pay their last respect in honour of the late Ebimiyen Ama-Okosu-ere of the community, Mama Binkayai Uyabrade Enerekpemi Agediga nee Aruwei, popularly known as Muritala, whose remains was interred on the morning of Saturday, July 26, 2025.

Top dignitaries in attendance include former deputy governor of Delta State, Dcn. (Barr.) Kingsley Otuaro; the Honourable Member representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Julius G. Pondi; the Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon; the Bolowei of Niger Delta, High Chief Tunde Smooth; the Exeutive Director of Socials, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Favour Izoukumor; and the DESOPADEC Board member representing Ijaw ethnic nationality, Hon. Spencer Ogboye, among others.

The late Mama Uyabrade Binkayai Aruwei, who passed away at the age of 104 years, is survived by three sons: Sir Anslem Gege Agediga, Comrade Shedrack Agediga (Chairman, Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board) and Mr. Meshach Agediga; 22 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

In the line up of tributes from family members, Comrade Shedrack praised his late mother for her "strong upbringing" which has made her children "who we are in society" while recalling the instructions of his departed mother on how to be celebrated in death. On their parts, while Anselm Gege said the death of his mother was painful and will be remembered on how she stood by he children in times of difficulty, Meshach stated that his late mother's "display of Motherhood was second to none" for ensuring they get the best, and more importantly for instilling in them the reputable principle that "good name is better than" all precious substances put together.

The late Mama Uyabrade Binkayai Aruwei, according to her biography, was born in the year 1916 in Kunukunuama Town in Gbaramatu Kingdom (as the 10th child of her father and the 14th child of her mother) to the families of Chief Pa Aruwei Ibakpa and Mama Kenedauborbina-Iyegha Aruwei Nee Gegha, both from Gbaramatu and Ogulagha kingdoms in Warri South-West, and Burutu LGA, respectively.

She was married to the family of Chief Pa. Agediga after giving birth to her first son, Prince Emmanuel G. Bouy Miyenbra, for Mr. Bouy Miyenbra. She gave birth to 13 children, among them a three set of twins, which were killed due to the then belief of abomination. She was exiled, trapped in the forest without communication for months, except the husband. She also suffered and passed through a lot of processes to sanctify the land, community and even the kingdom she has defied before reunion. She loved her children and took care of them single-handedly until her last days on earth due to the untimely death of her husband.

On her religious belief, the late Mama Uyabrade Binkayai Agediga was converted by her sister-in-law, late Madam Guazinagha Okunwanzei Nee Agediga due to a very serious illness of one of her sons, Sir Anslem Agediga. She left all her people and idols she was serving and migrated to Beautiful Gate Zion Church, Sokebolou with the help of her sister-in-law for solution. Actually, God intervened through His servant, Prophet J.I. Egbe (late) who was the leader to display God's power in healing Sir Anslem Agediga, a living testimony today, through fasting and praying. Glory be to God!

Since she joined the C&S Church of Zion Beautiful Gate, Sokebolou, till her departure, she never backslides. She worshiped God morning and evening on daily basis. She was an active member of the prayer band group (Aladura). She served God with faith, dedication and devotion. She was ordained as Mother in Israel on Thursday, 24th of June 2021, by Rt. Rev. Dr. Princewill Epistle I.O. Jemine. She was a shining and concrete example of a faithful Christian.

On her education, Mama Uyabrade Binkayai Agediga and her three sisters made attempt to acquire learning in school at a very tender age, but their father Chief Pa. Aruwei denied them the opportunity for the simple reason of assisting / supporting him in fishing as a result of making it compulsory for the boys, their brothers, to go to school. Today, the direct Aruwei's, except the eldest, are product of the noble and progressive belief in educating the family and the society at large.

Mama Uyabrade Binkayai Agediga was a hard-working fearless and diligent fisher woman who sold her fish at a commercial scale which provided a better income for her to educate and take care of her family. She also ventured into trading in the 90's and was a good and successful trader. It is worthy of note and to mention that Madam Uyabrade Binkayai Agediga stopped engaging in fishing activities when it became clear to the children that it wasn't safe to do so. She is a social, civilized, accommodative, friendly and a disciplined woman who mixed freely with her people and strangers or foreigners alike.

View more photos on PENGlobal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DLLYYeJFb/

#penglobalsocial #funeral #Sokebolou #Burutu #Delta