The Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), alongside government officials, colleagues, friends and family members, on Saturday bade farewell to their departed colleague, Comrade David Okpogadie, at his hometown of Emevor in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The funeral ceremony was attended by the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, Sir Festus Ahon; the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Nkem Nweke; and the Chairman of the Delta State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, who led other officers of the union to the event.
Also present was the Chairman of the Asaba Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Comrade Ifeanyi Olannye, alongside members of the Isoko Chapel of the union and some members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
Family members, ministers from the Living Faith Church, as well as friends and neighbours of the deceased from Azagba-Ogwashi, also joined in paying their final respects to the late journalist.
The funeral was particularly emotional as Okpogadie’s young children, Elo-Oghene and Ella, joined other mourners to bid their father a final farewell.
In a statement, the Delta State NUJ Council expressed gratitude to God for the successful burial of their colleague and appreciated all individuals and groups who supported and sympathised with the family during the period of mourning.
The council also thanked everyone who, in one way or another, stood by the bereaved family and contributed to honouring the memory of the late journalist.
The union prayed for God’s blessings upon all those who offered support and comfort to the family of the deceased.