Sunday Biranen, Permanent Secretary, Pensions Matters, Ministry of Finance, Rivers State, led relatives, friends and other sympathizers to pay their last respect to his departed brother, late Joseph Kpegekoh Biranen (DSP Rtd) who was laid to rest on Saturday, July 11, at his country home, Teerabor-Bera in Gokana Local Government Area.
Joseph Biranen died on 27th May, 2020 at 62 after a brief illness.
At his graveside, brothers, friends and well-wishers delivered emotion laden tributes extolling his virtues.
Sunday Biranen who was effectively in charge of the burial, described the late Joseph as a fine brother, a very humble and down-to-earth person, a lovely father who loved his children and family so much, stressing that he extended his love to the society through community service and as a Police Officer.
Even fellow Police Officers, he said, had marveled at his humility and hard work. “I am proud of his achievements. Although he died young, but he lived a good life,” the sorrow-soaked Sunday said.
Mr. Le Dutura, a brother police officer from Bera said that late Joseph was a responsible community person who feared the Lord, adding that he inspired them to join the police force through his exemplary behaviour.
Goddy Baadom, a friend, said the late Joseph Kpegekoh Biranen was humble, very kind and always willing to help those in need. “He cared and respected the elders and was always mindful of what he did,” he stressed.
Hon. Gideon Menegbo said the retired police officer was a good man whose services benefitted Gokana and the society at large. He prayed for God’s protection for the family.
Henry Biranen, the first son of the diseased who was also the chief mourner, in a biography he read before the interment extolled the virtues to his late father.
Quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous lines, “It is not length of life, ….But depth of life,” Henry said although his father did not live long, but he left unforgettable impacts and memories.
Born in 1957 to the family of late Chief John Dornee Biranen from Bera and Mrs. Virginia Naadoge Biranen of Bomu Community in Gokana, Henry said his late father, Joseph Kpegekoh Biranen was known as an intellectual giant who excelled in his educational pursuits.
Married to Mrs Francisca B. Barinen and blessed with four children, Henry said he marveled at how his late father was able to take very good care of his immediate family and his large extended family network.
According to him, he extended love and care to all, stressing that he was accommodating, generous and hospitable.
Describing his late father as an exceptional home builder, Henry said he held back nothing, neither did he stop at anything to provide the needed support for his family.
As a police officer, Henry disclosed that his late father took part in lots of professional trainings and worked in various police divisions in the country. He said his father was friendly to his colleagues and endeared himself to them with his scintillating humours.
Rev. A. A. Barikor, Supervisor, Assemblies of God, Gokana who delivered the graveside sermon, said death is inevitable and asked the gathering to reminisce on where they would go when the bell tolls for them. He said the only way for people’s redemption is to accept Christ as their personal saviour.
The burial was conducted based on government’s directives on COVID-19. There was social distancing, and the few people who cameto pay their last respect wore face masks. The venue of the burial was disinfected before and after the burial.
A government representative from the Ministry of Health witnessed and enforced compliance.
