Tears as Bayelsa buries burnt female politicians

Many shed tears in Yenagoa,
Bayelsa State capital, on Tuesday as
the remains of eight female
politicians burnt to death on
February 14, were buried at the
Gloryland Cemetery in Azikoro
Village.
The female politicians, including
wife of the Secretary to Bayelsa
State Government, Elizabeth Oguru,
were burnt to death in a multiple
motor accident after visiting the
wife of President Goodluck
Jonathan, Patience.
The accident at Ahoada in Rivers
State involved a Toyota Sienna car,
an SUV and a bus with the
inscription, Peoples Democratic
Party Women Initiative.
At the cemetery, family members,
friends, colleagues, top
government functionaries and well
wishers broke down in tears as pall
bearers brought the caskets
bearing the remains.
Bayelsa State Chairman of the
Christians Association of Nigeria,
Archbishop Ige Israel, who
officiated at the burial, had
herculean task calling for
mourners’ attention.
Israel prayed for the repose of the
souls of the departed and prayed
God to grant their families the
fortitude to bear the losses.
The cleric, who said death was a
necessary end, admonished the
living to be close to God and live
lives worthy of emulation.
After praying for the souls of the
deceased, the caskets bearing the
remains (skulls and ashes) were
lowered into the grave at about
4pm.
Before the burial of the female
politicians, a memorial service was
held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural
Centre.
Jonathan; his wife, Patience;
Governor Seriake Dickson and many
top officials of government
attended the burial.
Jonathan, in his tribute to the dead
women, said their demise had
thrown the state into deep
mourning.
The President, who described the
day of their death as “dark
Saturday,” said it was painful that
the deceased died as others were
celebrating the Valentine’s Day.
“The death of the women is so
painful that it can never be erased
from our minds. I urge people to
continue to pray for the repose of
their souls. Some of them are
people I have worked with one way
or the other,” Jonathan said.
In her tributes, Patiece said the
women’s death should bring about
peace in Nigeria and Bayelsa State.
“The fact that they died the way
they did indicates that death can
come anytime. Bayelsans should
see it as a sign for peace and unity
in Bayelsa and Nigeria,” she said.
In his own tributes, Governor
Dickson extolled the virtues of the
women, saying they had
contributed immensely to
development of Bayelsa.
He said the state would continue to
mark February 14 every year as day
of mourning for the women
politicians.

a visit to your state more souls lost hmmmmmmm