•For The 2 Day Burial Of Their Mum In CROSS RIVER State
Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd of July 2021 will forever remain an unforgettable day for the people of Akamkpa, in Cross River State, as hundreds of dignitaries stormed the town for the celebration of life for one of the daughters of the soil, Evangelist Comfort Asuquo, who is the mother to Hon. Daniel Asuquo, the man who is currently representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency Cross River State at the House of Rep in Abuja.
Evang. Comfort Asuquo was not just a great woman in her lifetime; she was a woman of virtue who impacted a lot on people’s lives. That explained why the indigenes of Akamkpa left what they had to do and gathered at the Akamkpa Local Government Council, where the Christian Wake Keep took place on Friday and on Saturday for the burial service.
The crowd at this venue was so enormous. The setting of the field was like that of a political campaign, and that explains how the whole place was packed full. Apart from the presence of many dignitaries that came to support the man of the people, the great son of the soil, Hon. Daniel Asuquo and his siblings; the Asuqou family, friends and well-wishers also turned up big time to pay their last respect for this great woman who left remarkable footprints on the sands of time.
The final burial of Evang. Comfort Asuquo kicked off on Friday with Christian wake keep, while the final burial took place the following day. City People Head of TV, SUNDAY ADIGUN and City People Photojournalist, SUNDAY OYEMADE witnessed this 2-days event and brings you exclusive gists.
THE WAKE KEEP
The Christian wake in honour of Evang. Comfort Asuquo took place right inside Akamkpa Local Government open field. The set-up, with the latest equipment, was massive. Many people thought it was a political rally or church crusade when they saw the set up on the field, it was until when the event started that they realised it was a burial event.
RCCG TOOK OVER THE WAKE KEEP
You need no one to tell you many roles this great woman played in the church of God, even though many were mentioned by the officiating ministers. But looking at the turnout of the Redeemed Christian Church of God ministers, choir, ushers and other departments in the church, it simply means the woman we are talking about has really done well. It was also a hymnal evening and the event was well coordinated.
AT THE BURIAL SERVICE
The burial service of Evang. Comfort Asuquo took place at the same venue, Akamkpa Local Government open field. and the turnout was more than what we saw on Friday. The whole Akamkpa community stormed the field to bid a farewell to Hon. Daniel Asuqou’s mother farewell. many dignitaries also stormed the event. All the children wore white. The casket was white and the decoration was white with the touch of blue. Many of the House of Assembly members showed support for one of their own. Many PDP members also turned up to pay their last rest respect to the mother of one of the strong pillars of PDP in Cross River State.
WHAT BAYELSA GOVERNOR SAID ABOUT LATE MRS ASUQUO AND HIS SON, HON. DANIEL ASUQUO
Many dignitaries spoke highly of Evangelist Comfort Asuquo during the tribute. Many described her as a woman of virtue, who will be greatly missed by the family, for her remarkable contributions, especially in the life of her children. According to Bayelsa Governor, His Excellency Gov. Douye Diri, in his speech “today we are all here to honour a quintessential woman. A woman that has served humanity, a woman that has also led a good life and today as it is with all mortals she is no more. But we are consoled that she left a family behind, a family that will continue to carry on her good works. I do not have any personal relationship with her, but I have a personal relationship with her own son, Hon. Asuquo Daniel who was my sitting neighbour in the green chamber in the House of Representatives. We served in the same Assembly and I saw a man who was calm, peaceful, calculative, focused and visionary. I have no doubts in my mind that all of these were implanted in him via the woman we are honouring today. And so when he told me about the demise of his mother and checking through my schedules and Calendar, I assured him that I was going to be here personally. Daniel Asuquo, not even one day throughout our 4 years in the green chamber had a quarrel or picked quarrels with anybody. At all times his disposition is peaceful. At all times his disposition is development-oriented. I like to say today as we honour her and as this great woman goes home; her legacies will continue to reverberate. And for us who are living, we must take clue from what this woman was, just like the way the man of God has said it during his preaching; rather than pursuing the vanity of vanities as the bible describes it, let us pursue eternal life. In whatever offices we find ourselves, as Governor, as President, as Commissioners, as Senators, as a member of the House of Representatives, as a member of the house Assembly, it is all the vanity of vanities. How do we impact the people around us? If Daniel Asuquo was one troublesome person I may not have been here. Whatever office we find ourselves; it’s just for a time, it will certainly come and go. Offices are ephemerals, but the impact you leave behind will remain forever. I’m sure that this great woman, who had impacted the lives while she even served as the Chairlady in Akamkpa Local Government Area is what led to this crowd I’m seeing here to honour her. She has led and left treads of relationship with the people of Akamkpa and the people of Cross River State and wherever she found herself. The lesson here today is that enough of bitterness. Ephesians 4:30 told us not to hate, not to have bitterness, but to exude love and oneness. For me it is indeed a great pleasure to be here, representing the government and the people of Bayelsa state and bringing all the greetings to our brothers and our sisters in Cross River State and we believe that this woman will continue to rest in peace, and her legacies will forever remain evergreen. Thank you and God bless you”.
CROSS RIVER STATE SENT A MESSAGE
The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, ably represented by his deputy, Ivara Ejemot Esu sent a message to Hon. Daniel Asuquo and the family, “ This message is to Hon. Daniel Asuquo, the Member of the House of Representatives in Abuja. I received the shocking and saddening news of the passage unto eternal glory of your mother, late Mrs Comfort Asuquo who passed on to great beyond on Wednesday 12th of May, 2021 at the age of 74. I know for certain that her death is a traumatic experience for you and your entire family, especially the children, and that has created a void in the family that would be impossible to fill. I share this moment of pain with you, knowing the close affinity that existed between her and her family and urges you to be consoled in the fact that in consonance with the biblical injunction as contained in Eccle 3:2 that there is a time for everything. There is a time for giving birth and a time for dying. By her transition, she has only answered the divine call for a higher assignment with her creator. Late (Mrs) Comfort Asuquo was a great wife, a great mother who moved heaven and earth for the sake of her children and a tireless businesswoman. She was honest, disciplined and resilient and impacted many other values to not only her children but all those who came within the ambit of her influence. She was a woman who devoted life to the service of God. As you pass through the agonizing moment of her painful demise, I on behalf of my family, the government and the entire people of River State commiserate with you and the entire family and pray God grants you all the fortitude to bear the loss. I also pray God grants her soul eternal and peaceful rest in His bosom”.
AND EVANG. COMFORT ASUQUO WAS FINALLY LAID TO REST
After the burial service, the remains of late Mrs Comfort Asuquo was laid to rest in his son’s compound, and the reception commenced afterwards, where a beautiful tent was erected to host the dignitaries’ right at the back of the Hon. Asuqou’s house. And it played host to many important dignitaries. There were enough merriments and different kinds of food with assorted drinks.
AND THE RECEPTION BEGINS
The reception venue was a beautifully decorated marquee carefully built at the back of Hon. Daniel Asuquo’s building. As it was an event to celebrate a life well spent, petals and roses of various colours were set at the entrance as a wonderfully welcoming sight to guests. All guests were urshered in by neat looking hosts and hostesses, they added another beauty to the venue.
SINGER IYANYA WAS AT THE RECEPTION
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk popularly known as Iyanyan and the winner of Project Fame Season 1 also made an appearance at the reception as he walked in with a couple of friends.
2 MUSICIANS THRILLED GUESTS
The event took a lovely twist when two musicians took up the stage simultaneously as they served the guests with melodious beats and songs. They had guests standing on their feet to dance from time to time as it was a thrilling experience.
THE EVENT PLANNER DID ALL THE MAGIC
Stylishbyruvent coupled all that was necessary for the success of the event as they kept all vendors on deck. Stylishbyruvent kept things running on auto as there was no need for guests to complain.
HON. ASUQUO’S WIFE IN A JOYOUS MOOD
The wife of Hon. Asuquo was seen in a very lively mood s she went from table to table to greet guests. The smile on her face was ever radiant. Some guests stood up to dance with her.
Toyin Olumilua Mark Supports The Family
Popular Celeb lady, Toyin Olumilua Mark, threw in her weight to support Asuquo’s Family
ROLL CALL
Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were; Apostle Trinity Oga, Bishop Etim Peter Akpama, Apostle Mfon Peter Bassey, Apostle Goddey, Most Rev O.B Ekpenyon, CAN Chairman of Cross River State, Evang. Michael Asuquo, All Chapter Chairman of PDP, Ntufam Anta Danwo, Mr &Mrs James Ebri, Prof Lydia Bassey, Evang Victor Uwis and wife, Prof Zana Akpagu, Rt, Hon. Uduak, Auba, Hon. Tonye Briggs Oniyide, Mr Authur Archibong, H.E RT Hon frank Auah, former speaker CRSHA and acting governor. RT Hon Ndidi Flumelu Minority leader house of representatives, Rev. Asuquo Ekponyong (Christians for Jesus), Apostle Peter Eteng Gaskin (Freedom Chapel). Pastor Dr. Awak Anam RCCG, Mrs Marie Asein the acting MD Representative of NPA, High Chief Gabriel Dmoden Founder of Access Schools, Evang. Ephraim Effiong (Prayer City), Chief Godwin Etta, RT. Hon APT Essien Ayi, John Offiong, Victoria Effiom Ekpanong Asi Matron Ukpo Specialist Hospital, Are Moses Oladele MD Iconic, Ken Egbus (Former Special Adviser to Governor Imoke and Chairman to Starr Group), H.Lordship Mrs Grace Edet, Dr Petet Ojie, Mr Knuf Ndoma-Egba, Mr EJ. Williams, Mike Ohiani DG-ICRL, Elder Chief and Elder Mrs Ogban Ebock, Pastor Ireawyi, Uka, M.E Asein representing acting MD NPA, RT. HON Haya Nyan ADIGW, Okon Nyong Owuna and many others.
