Wife of Ijaw leader, late pastor (Mrs) Jane Ukori Buried amid tears in Delta

By Stephen Asaba-ase & Miracle Esegha

Wailing and weeping have overwhelmed the Ogbobagbene community in the Burutu Local government area of Delta State as the Ijaw leader Amb Jude Ukori’s late wife Pastor (Mrs). Jemima Kenawerekumo, (Nee Orubebe) was laid to rest in her home town.

Congress learnt that Ogbobagbene which is the country home of the Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, witnessed an inflow of bereaved sympathizers, friends, and family members during the burial ceremony after she passed away on the 2nd of April 2024 after a brief illness.

It was gathered that the body of the departed clergy arrived at her father’s compound in a motorcade at about 12pm and was thereafter taken to Glory Sanctuary Hall for a Christian funeral service. Before the procession to her compound where she was interred, reputation religious leaders including Arch Bishop Ogbuji Igwe, Bishop David Adomi, Rev. Mrs Ngozi Ogbuji, Rev. Irivbodje Timothy, and pastor Amos Igwe, and a host of others, poured out their heartfelt tributes alongside the children and family members.

Mrs. Ukori who was born on the 7th of April, 1969, attended Ugborikoko Primary School, Effurun-Warri Delta State, after which she proceeded to Delta State University, Abraka where she bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 1998. Before her demise, Jemima Ukori was a philanthropist, who was happily married to Amb. (Comrade) Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP) and was blessed with a set of triplets, and two sets of twins, four boys and three girls.

During the church service, a professor of law, Bello Orubebe who read the biography said, “The news of Pastor (Mrs) Jane Jemima Kenawerekumor Ukori’s demise came as a shock to the families and public circles. She will be forever remembered for her impactful life”. The officiating minister, Arch Bishop Ogbuji Igwe in his sermon said, “Only Christians will make heaven”.

At the reception, immediately the body of the 55-year-old JJ Ukori was lowered into the grave, the Spokesperson of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama said the incident was too painful to make comments, It was a sober moment, he said.

The Heartfelt tributes from the husband, Amb Jude Ukori JP to his departed wife revealed that the sad situation was devastating. His statement in the tribute reads in part; “My lovely wife, whom l fondly called “my sweetheart”, you had at all times and purpose being my immediate source of inspiration. I could have stopped without a word further but I am indebted to my Sweetheart, my Angel, My prophetess, my Sister, mother, and wife”.

The president of Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF Comrade Ozobo Austin who spoke at the ceremony, urged Jude Ukori, the children, and family members to remain strong and look up to God to fill the vacuum that had been created by the irreparable loss.