By Mimi Chiadikaobi
The Community of Okpoama in Bayelsa Stare, in the Niger Delta region, was lightened up with dignitaries that travelled across the globe to pay condolence to Dr Ikioye Orutugu, Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, over the death of his maternal uncle, Chief Emmanuel Solomon Beredugo Elie.
Elie was born on 3rd June 1942 to the family of Mrs Grace Tonbio Beredugo and Mr Solomon Fonibiene Beredugo and died on 5th November, 2025 at the age of 83 years.
Speaking during the funeral rites on Saturday in Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Orutugu urged Nigerian youths to take ownership of their future and never give up on life irrespective of challenges.
He said that as a growing boy, he had a clear vision of what he wanted of his life and was very focused and determined of having a very bright future
” I am where I am today because I took ownership of my life and worked very hard for a brighter future.
” Over 40 years ago I made a developmental decision to change the narrative of the area I was born into and embarked on a studious mission.
” I employed had hard work, commitment, determination, honesty and patriotism in development of my self without engagement in sharp practices,’ he said.
Orutugu assured the youths that if they took the right path to life by shunning every practices that do not promote peaceful co-existence that a brighter future is assured.
He attributed all his life successes to his late uncle Elie, whom he described as his mentor not only in his personal life but self development in the venture of collecting information, studying, and writing about the past history as an independent historian.
Orutugu said that Elie was a man of notable intellect, sociability and organisational ability whose influence extended across various spheres of the community life.
He said that Elie’s early years were marked by adversity as he lost his father at the age 6 years but despite the setback and financial lack for formal education, he demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination from an early age.
Orutugu encouraged the youths to emulate the zeal of Uncle Elie and be committed to self development and professional advancement.
He said that his description of Elie relies on testimonies., documentary evidence and collective memory to reconstruct his life and contributions which shows a portrait of a man deeply involved in community development.
Orutugu said that he gained his standards six education at Saint Paula’s primary School Okpoama and later earned London General Certificate of Education.
He urged the people of Okpoama kingdom to sustain community service as Elie did and be guided by his progressive ideas that will resonate within Okpoama kingdom and humanity.
He appealed to the people to uphold community leadership and cultural advocacy which uncle Elie was known for.
The Cp said that Elie was married to his first wife of 53 years Naomi Erefahha now late and Bodisere his second wife.
According to him, the marriage was blessed with 18 children and over 30 grand Children, sister lady Biodoumonye Comfort Adigio Eseni,in- laws, niece’s and nephews including Orutugu.
Speaking on behalf of the Associaton of Federal heads establishment in Anambra State, Chief Arthur Mbuba, from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security urged the community to emulate the legacies of Elie.
Mbuba said the testimonies of members of the community and Orutugu confirmed that late Elie was productive and urged the people to sustain his footprints.
He urged CP Orutugu, who is a member of the association of Heads of federal Establishments in Anambra State, to continue to trade on the good footprints left by his uncle.
Dr Blessing Ogbonna ,the Chairperson of the association said that the body came to commiserate with the CP because he had displayed rare humility in service and public relations.
Ogbonna said that the deceased life was a huge inspiration to many and called on the people to live a life that is transformational to build a safe and healthy society.
Mr Emmanuel Muoka, Anambra State Commissioner for Public Complaint Commission, described death as a must call and urged the public to live a life worthy of emulation.
The burial rites witnessed heavy cultural display; a novelty football match between Okpoama kingdom Council of Chiefs and Twon kingdom Council of chiefs.
