By Ene Asuquo
In the past two weeks since the opening of the mourning house to flagoff the rites for the burial of Chief Michael Odey Mboh, the 101 year old father of Senator Stephen Odey, Yache nation ,the country home of Senator Odey has been turned to a Mecca of sorts as thousands of people cutting across ethnic , political and religious lines spreading from top political figures, legal luminaries, business tycoons, towering academics personalities, economic moguls and ofcourse the masses have thronged the place to commiserate and solidarity with Senator Odey
Political figures like the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Rt Hon Legor Idagbo , Chief of Staff to Governor Otu Hon Emmanuel Ironbar
Their Excellencies, Senator Prof Sir Benedict Ayade CON former Governor of Cross River State and his family; H.E Clement David Ebri (CON) former Governor of Cross River State and Her Excellency Rev Eneanwan Itam Otu, wife of Cross River State governor sent messages, support and delegation to commiserate with Senator Odey.
Also, the indefatigable Cross River State APC Chairman, Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba (JP) was there. Chief Dr Tony Udiandeye (JP), Hon Signor Omang Idiege ADA BEKWARRA II, Elder P.J Ekunke, Mr Ken Aklah ,Hon. John Ulafor, Dr. Ochim Julius Okputu , Professor Michael Okom,, Prof Enang, Ebinghe , Professor Erin, Professor Abia, Raphael Pius, Professor Etuk Grace, (Barr.) Kenn Chinemele Nwogu, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Professor Festus Mkpoyen, Professor Austine Angba , Lt. Col. Gabriel Akobi Adi, Nigerian Army Abuja, Mr Mac Atom, Deputy General Manager, Access Bank, Chief Paul Santus Abuja based business tycoon, Mr Augustine Idugeni, Nigerian Army Enugu, Mr Dominic Awupri Nigerian Custom Service Lagos, Mr Odey Austine based in Lagos, Area Manager of Zenith Bank Ogoja and his team, Mr. Uko Inaku Chairman Civil Service Commission.
Other notable personalities that were at Yache ior sent delegation ncluded Kanu G. Agabi, SAN, CON.,
Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, Abia South, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, Bayelsa Central, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong , representing Cross River South, Senator Williams Eteng Jonah, representing Cross River Central, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, Ondo South, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, CON, Niger East, Rt. Hon Larry Odey and his wife, Rt. Hon Michael Etaba, Hon Alex Egbona , Rt. Hon Hilary E. Bisong, Associate Professor Mike Ushie, Chairman Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission, Professor Taoheed Adedoja while Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt Hon Peter Odey, APC National Women Leader, Dr Betra Edu, Hon Stella Oreme Odey sent support and delegations.
The visits are still continuing even at this moment. Over eighty cows, countless goats and sheep were presented by individuals, groups and corporate bodies in support of the burial which will go down in history as one of the biggest ifnot the biggest and most colourful in the history of Yache and Northern Cross River State.
Speaking on the memorable outcome of the burial , Hon O D Omagu, a political icon, philanthropist and diehard supporters of Senator Odey said nothing less could have been expected from the burial considering the personality of Senator Stephen Odey.
“Senator Odey is humility personified. He takes and treats everyone with respect and always reaching out to everyone and and at moments like these, people would naturally reciprocate the good gestures he has shown them”.
He stated that the cows and countless goats given to him he has since distributed and shared them to people, groups and communities which is a clear demonstration of selflessness.
“His office , State Universal Basic Education, SUBEB, where he was Chairman played a key role in the burial which shows how people love him. If he was a bad person when he was there, the people would not have shown such commaderie”
He said the carnival outcome of the burial should serve as a lesson and an eye opener to others to always relate well with people not withstanding the high office they may occupy.
A team of four notable Nigerian musicians including Zulezu from Benue State , Danfo Driver among others kept the atmosphere lively with their enchanted performances.