With deep sense of loss, the Publisher of Ika Weekly Newspaper, Mr. Steve Ashien and Family, Members of The Editorial Board and entire management and staff of Ika Weekly Newspapers, join Deltans across the globe to commiserate with the Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, who in a statement, on Thursday January 28, 2021, announced the passing unto glory, of his father, Pa Arthur Okorie Okowa, at the age of 88 years.
Indeed, like many other sympathisers that have been thronging the Owa-Alero residence of the deceased octogenarian in Ika North East Local Government Area since on Friday, to console the first family of the state, we received the message of Pa Okowa’s passage with shock. His demise remains a loss to not just his immediate family but to the Ika Weekly Newspaper management and Ika nation as a whole.
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However, while the News organization commiserates with the immediate family, Ika nation and of course the entire state over this irreparable loose, our reaction to the present occurrence comes in double folds.
First and very fundamental, we are particularly pained/ saddened about the sudden demise of such a humanist, an educationist with embodiment of knowledge and a community leader at this critical time of his existence when his knowledge and wealth of experience in community building is needed most. His death in our estimation could be likened to a burnt archive.
On the other hand, looking at his  age and ‘loads’ of achievement, particularly, the calibre of children and grandchildren left behind, his death may need no dirge but praises to God.
Going by the Biblical declaration, a man’s stay on earth is put at seventy years and eighty for those that are strong, Papa should therefore be considered ‘a super strong haven lived a fulfilled life till God called him at a ripe age of 88 years.
The situation says something more. Aside from Governor Okowa’s comment as contained in statement that  throughout his father’s lifetime, that he was embodied with, and spread the principles of service to humanity, kindness even in the face of adversity, Ika Weekly Newspaper have over the years had fortunate opportunities to interview him and can attest to the fact that he was a clear thinker that culls everything down into the right points, a journalists delight and when with him, the possibilities are endless.
As a newspaper publishing organisation, we shall forever cherish his responses and approaches to issues during interviews, mostly when it has to do the governor, his son; who he had always exhibited strong support for his son getting to the peak of his political career. This noble action will be greatly missed.
For instance, we recall most specifically one occasion during an interview, he among other remarks told our team that he will not die until his son becomes the President of Nigeria.
Certainly, he was a good man that wanted the best for his children and his community.
We pray God Almighty to grant him eternal rest and fortitude to the people he left behind to bear the irreparable loss.