By Godwin Utuedoye,
… Mourns Fr. Louis Odudu
WARRI-The biblical connotation in Proverbs chapter 10:7, which says; “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot”, was the vivid pictorial explanation of the volumes of tributes and the poetic rendition that rocks the atmosphere during the funeral Mass for the Late Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Ogheneovo Sobotie Ekakabor at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Warri, on Thursday, September 20, 2018, as he was vividly described as a gentle giant of faith, a living bible and hardworking priest.
Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Ekakabor who passed away on August 22, was born on May 13, 1944 and ordained priest on December 13, 1972.
The body of the Late priest arrived the Sacred Heart Cathedral Warri at about 8:15am and was received into the church by his brother priests led by Very Rev. Fr. John Ibekwe, for office of the dead celebration which was officiated by His Lordship, Most Rev. John Oke’Oghene Afareha with hundreds of Catholic faithful, family members, friends and well wishers of the deceased priest.
Immediately after the office of the dead prayers, the funeral Mass commenced at 10:00am with the bishop of the Catholic dioceses of Warri, Most Rev. John Afareha and Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, MSP of Bomadi presiding at the Mass which attracted a large number of priests from within and outside the diocese.
In a homily delivered by Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Mario Ozele, one of the spiritual sons of the Late Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Ekakabor, while extolling the undying qualities of the the deceased priest, noted that he was a true gentle giant of faith and love.
Adding that though it is a testing moment for the diocese of Warri, having lost three priests within a space of five months, he says; “we are united in sorrow, we are also united in our faith”. He stated that as Christians, we are not silent in the face of death, maintaining that as Christians, we should understand that life didn’t end at death but rather, Christians have life, death and resurrection, stating that Christians dies in Christ and belong to Him in baptism, saying that, it is right to grieve but wrong to be despair.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Mario Ozele who spoke in an emotionally laden voice, disclosed the two major qualities the late Rev. Fr. Ekakabor possessed as work and love. He adds that his entire life was that of contentment, love for the poor, sick, lonely and the destitute children.
“Rev. Fr. Stephen Ogheneovo Sobotie Ekakabor would not compete with anyone, always contented with what he has or any where he finds himself. His love for pastoral work and people of God both Catholics and non Catholics is unquantifiable”.
Recalling how the deceased assisted him as a destitute child when his parents ostracized him from his family because of his choice of becoming a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Ozele narrated how he was taken as a son by Late Rev. Fr. Ekakabor even when he has never met him before.
“His rectory became my home and he was responsible for my seminary training and to so many of my brother priests in the diocese”.
The litany of tributes and poetic oration during the homily reawaken the memories of the priest known and described by all as a dedicated, committed and selfless priest who valued his vocation and love for humanity.
On his path, the Chancellor of the diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo using the words and the nickname of the deceased priest, ‘Iwhorigwho,’ said even though it is trying moment for the diocese of Warri, the nickname of the late priest will encourage them to move on, disclosing that no matter the situation, the Late Rev. Fr. Ekakabor will say, ‘Iwhoriwho‘ meaning it is hard but we will move on.
The Chancellor revealed that the different tragic incidents have weighed on the bishop and the entire diocese. He said in February, the diocese lost one of the most valued priest, Rt. Rev. Monsignor Joachim Agwhare. In September the diocese also lost one of her committed members, Master Jeffrey at Adagbrassa-Ugolo to a church building that collapsed. Rev. Fr. Christopher Ogaga was kidnapped and soon after his release, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Louis Odudu was kidnapped and four days after his released, he died. The chancellor who also spoke in an emotionally laden tone, noted that it is painful because while discussing with the abductors, through their accents, his was able to discover that they may not be people far away, but yet they allowed the innocent priest to pass through a torture that claimed his life.
He called all faithful to always remember their priests in their daily prayers as priests have become prime targets.
While thanking all who stood firmly and cared for the Late Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Ekakabor, he on behalf of the bishop, the entire presbyterate of Warri and all the faithful appreciated Very Rev. Fr.’s Philip Ejopharuphen and Jesouvie Ogagavwodia for the immense support and care for the deceased priest while he was resident at St. Felix Oghara.
He also thanked the bishop whom he said made available all the necessary funds required to take care of the priest as well as faithful who also cared for him until his demise.
Moment after the Mass, the remains of Late Rev. Fr. Stephen Ogheneovo Sobotie Ekakabor was taken in a motorcade to the priest cemetery at the pastoral centre, Agbarho for interment amid encomiums and tributes.
Late Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Ogheneovo Sobotie Ekakabor
The thunderstorm and cool weather that precede his burial was a sure testament that made Catholic faithful present at his graveside to acknowledged that truly, Rev. Fr. Stephen Ogheneovo Sobotie Ekakabor, aka Iwhorigwho was a true man of God.
The late Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Ogheneovo Sobotie Ekakabor began his priestly pastoral work at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Parish Ughelli as a curate to Late Monsignor Stephen Umurie in 1972. He was posted to St. Patrick Parish Sapele in 1977 as an assistant parish priest under the late Bishop Joseph Egarega and in 1981, he was sent to Our Lady of the Waters Parish Bomadi, now Bomadi diocese as a parish priest and he served the people of God in the creek and riverrine communities of the Ijaw till 1983. Between 1983 to 1987, he was posted to St. Leo Parish Ashahaka as parish priest. He was later posted to serve in Christ the King Parish Obiaruku as parish priest from 1987 to 1996. In 1997, he was posted to Immaculate Conception Parish Usiefrun were he served the people of God till 2004.
From 2004 to 2008, he became the pioneer parish priest of St. James Parish Kokori and in 2008, he went on a sabbatical leave at the pastoral centre, Agbarho were he lived till 2012. In 2013, he was posted to St. Joseph parish Okpare-Olomu, were he work assidiously until he was attacked in 2017 by armed robbers which led to his death. Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Ogheneovo Sobotie Ekakabor was aged 75. May he rest in peace.
Pix 1., Remains of Late Fr. Ekakabor
carried by brother priests from the
Church to his resting place. Pix 2.,
Bishop Afareha leading the final commendation
Prayer. Pix. 3, during lying in state at the Church
Pix. 4, during the Mass for Fr. Ekakabor at the
Sacred Heart Cathedral Warri