…As Gov. Wike Assures Of More Projects For Kono Community
The body of late legal luminary, Sir Barinua Bipnale Moses Wifa, SAN, MON, DSSRS, KJW was laid to rest in the ancient town of Kono, Khana Local Government Area on Saturday, June 26, 2021 in a colouful final journey which brought people from all walks of life.
The casket of the famous lawyer, whose colleagues described in varying metaphors, was horse-driven to its graveside, in a convoy where he was finally interred with members of the Knight of John Wesley (KJW), who were clad in their ceremonial suit and hat leading the way.
Probably the greatest event in the recent history of Kono Community (though some say the ancient town only saw something similar during the burial of the deceased’s father years back), B.M. Wifa’s burial saw a roll call of legal practitioners, politicians, captains of industry, government officials and members of his native Ogoni from far and near.
In his sermon, the Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel C.K. Uche who was represented by the Arch Bishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Dr. R.C. Opoko, extoled the personality of the late Wifa, an old boy of Government College, Uzuakoli, Abia State.
“Barinua was one our proud old boy. He was a proud ambassador who lived an exemplary life that is characteristic of our products. We were not surprised that Barinua in his character and existence lived a selfless life, showing that he passed through that great college. That is the ideals of Methodist College, Uzuakoli.
“Barinua feared God. He was a man of courage, honesty and truthfulness. Barinua may have been adjudged to be dead. Barinua Moses Wifa is not dear. He only returned to his maker. He is sleeping, because a child of God, he who believes in Christ, he who is born of the spirit, never dies. Only those born of the flesh dies but when you are born of the spirit, you can never die”, said the man of God.
The Prelate of the Methodist Church said from all the testimonies about the late Wifa, it was obvious he was a great man that lived a great life.
“He was an indefatigable and quintessential human colossus. He was an erudite jurist of repute, a jurist of outstanding cast. He was a General in the chambers. He was a mentor who had passion to impact the lives of people, an amazing personality and awesome legal luminary”, he said, adding that the deceased also had an outstanding passion to serve God during his life time.
The cleric said he had not come to Kono to ‘praise the dead’ but to highlight the virtues of the late lawyer, which he would want those alive to emulate by applying their hearts to wisdom.
His words: “The book of Ecclesiastics stated that it is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of Christians, so that we can be able to, as the Psalmist said in 90 vs 12, teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”.
In his speech at the occasion, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who was represented by the Head of Service, Dr. Rufus Godwins, said he is proud to identify with the life and times of Barrister B.M. Wifa, saying he brought pride and glory to the land of Kono, Ogoni and Rivers State at large.
“I am proud today, that from the little village of Kono, a little boy was born on the 4th day of July, 1936. Like its natural, a little child is like a wrapped parcel. 84 years later, that little Kono Boy, Kono’s most prized gift to the world took the world by storm, conquered education and went as far as to England where he furthered his education and brought glory to his land. We are indeed proud of him”, the Governor said.
The governor urged the young men in Ogoniland and Rivers State at large to emulate the life style and ideals of the late Wifa who emerged successful despite the daunting challenges in a difficult world.
While assuring the people of Kono that the ongoing Bori-Kono Road project would be completed on record time of fourteen months, Governor Wike appealed to the youths to ensure the preservation of government projects in the area, while promising that more projects would be provided to the community.
