… Salute his good legacy of selfless service
Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Ada George, were among dignitaries who paid glowing tributes to the late Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff at a funeral service held in his honour at the weekend.
The event which held at the Cameron-Ama Square, Twon-Brass, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa state was well attended by people from all walks of life including the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.
Describing Senator Inatimi Spiff as a rare breed of politician with an unblemished track record of public service, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan noted that Spiff was one political leader no one could cast aspersions on.
The former Nigerian President pointed out that although Senator Inatimi Spiff did not live up to the scriptural 70 years on earth, it is evident from his biography that he was a good man in every respect, hence his appointment as Secretary to State Government while he was yet 40 years of age.
He therefore encouraged members of the bereaved family and the community to take solace in the positive legacy he had left behind.
Speaking earlier, Governor Douye Diri said Senator Spiff distinguished himself as a politician who was well known and appreciated as a honest, truthful, incorruptible, and God-fearing man.
Represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Governor emphasized that every individual would answer the question of
how they lived their lives, which would determine their eternal destination.
Citing the Scripture from Matthew 25, the Bayelsa Chief Executive noted that Inatimi Spiff during his life time clothed the naked, fed the hungry, sheltered the homeless, and visited the sick, and for that reason, he was at home with his Creator.
Governor Diri therefore admonished the family to see his exit as a clarion call to emulate his good life of honesty, kindness and good neighborliness.
On his part, the former Governor of old Rivers State, Chief Ada George, who was represented at the service, described the departed senator as a dutiful, loyal and competent administrator, adding that he never regretted appointing him as the Secretary to then State Government.
In his brief exhortation taken Psalm 103:4, the State Pastor of the Living Faith Church, Pastor Femi Adejumo, advised everyone to see life as a precious gift from the Almighty Creator that must be accounted for some day after one’s sojourn on earth.
Pastor Adejumo stressed the need for people to make peace with God by living their lives to please the Giver of life and impact society positively in their lifetime as no amount of prayer can decide their place in eternity the moment they die.
Also present at the event were the former Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Retd),; serving and past members of the natiional and state assemblies, including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere;.
Others included the state Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Solomon Agwanana, Commissioners, other top government officials, captains of industry, including the Chief Executive Officer of Azikel Group, Dr Azibapu Eruani, and traditional rulers.
