Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, former governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and other dignitaries on Saturday paid their final respects to the late Dr. Joseph Sisanmi Otumara, who was laid to rest in Warri.
Otumara, a renowned medical doctor, politician and administrator, died after decades of public service during which he held several key positions in Delta State.
The funeral service, held at Yonwuren College, Ugbuwangue, Warri, was conducted by the Itsekiri Pastors Association under the leadership of Bishop Mike Oyemiren.
Among those who attended the service were the former First Lady of Delta State, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan; Delta State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Solomon Arenyeka; former Senator James Manager; political leaders, friends, associates and members of the Otumara family.
The Warri Choral Society provided musical renditions and songs of praise during the service, while Bible readings were taken from Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 and 2 Peter 3:3-14.
Born on December 16, 1960, Otumara was, until his death, the Chairman of the Itsekiri Politicians Forum and held the traditional title of Obarisuwa of Warri Kingdom.
He served three terms as Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council and was also a former Commissioner for Health in Delta State. From 2019 until his death, he served as Chairman of the Warri/Uvwie and Special Area Development Agency.
In his sermon titled “The Marketplace and Its Legacy,” Bishop Oyemiren urged Nigerians to live purposeful lives and strive to leave behind legacies worthy of remembrance.
He likened life to a marketplace where everyone must eventually return home.
“Nobody visits the market and does not return home,” he said, describing Otumara as a man who had completed his earthly race and left behind a legacy of service, leadership and positive impact.
The cleric urged the congregation to fear God and live with eternity in view, asking, “When we die today, what will men say about us?”
Another officiating minister, Bishop Mike Laju, urged the people to make good use of their time, noting that everyone has a limited tenure on earth.
In his tribute, APC Chairman in Delta State, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, described Otumara as a man who left “indelible footprints on the sands of time.”
Arenyeka described the deceased as kind, meek, humble, a pathfinder and God-fearing, stressing that his contributions to society and the lives he touched would continue to be remembered.
He prayed God to comfort the Otumara family and grant the deceased eternal rest.
