Death is Inevitable, Akpe Tells Mourners at APC Senatorial Candidate Daughter's Funeral

By Majesty Inegbagha

YENAGOA — Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, has described death as an inevitable appointment for all mortals, urging people to live righteous lives and remain conscious that they will one day account for their actions before God.

Dr. Peter Akpe, Deputy Governor, Bàyelsa States.

Akpe stated this on Thursday at a service of songs held in honour of the late Mrs. Dikemefa Felicia Benjamin, daughter of High Chief Fidelis Agbiki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Bayelsa West, at the zonal headquarters of Christ Embassy Church, South-South Zone 1, Yenagoa.

Referring to Hebrews 9:27, the Deputy Governor noted that death makes no distinction between the rich and the poor, the young and the old, stressing that everyone would eventually face the end of their earthly journey.

He, therefore, urged the living to reflect on their conduct, examine their relationship with God and make meaningful contributions to society while they still had the opportunity.

Akpe observed that the tributes and testimonies shared at the service reflected the significant contributions the deceased made to the church during her lifetime.

He encouraged the bereaved family to draw comfort from the positive impact she had made on the lives of others, despite the pain of her passing.

The Deputy Governor also expressed appreciation to all those who stood by Agbiki, his wife, children and the entire family during their period of grief.

He commended the show of love and solidarity demonstrated by friends, associates, political leaders and members of the Christian community who gathered to sympathise with the family.

Earlier, in her exhortation, Pastor Julian Obode, wife of the Zonal Pastor and Zonal Head of Operations, reflected on the brevity of human existence and the eternal life that awaits humanity.

"The time we spend on earth is really short compared to our eternity," she said.

Drawing her message from First Corinthians 15:50–58, Obode urged Christians to reflect on their present lives and prepare for the future, emphasising that everyone would individually give an account of their lives before God at the appointed time.

She noted that the death of believers should be viewed in the light of Christian hope, adding that the late Mrs. Benjamin had been released from the struggles, sorrows and pains of earthly existence into a place of rest and glory.

The cleric consequently encouraged Christians to find comfort in their faith and not grieve like those without hope.

Mrs. Benjamin died on September 14, 2026, after a brief illness in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She was 48 years old.

Prominent personalities who attended the service included the member representing Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency, Hon. Marie Ebikake; members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly; local government council chairmen; the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Chief Warman Ogoriba; special and technical advisers; other top government functionaries; traditional rulers; and clergymen from various denominations.