Bishop Edewor laid to rest amidst eulogies ~ Truth Reporters

By Kelvin Ohoror

The remains of the late pioneer Bishop of Oleh Diocese, Anglican Communion Rt. Revd, Bishop Jonathan Francis Ekokotu Edewor (Rtd) was laid to rest recently at St Paul's Anglican Church, Oleh Isoko South local government area of Delta State.

The Rt. Revd Bishop Jonathan Francis Ekokotu Edewor was born at his homestead Erawha- Owhe in the present day Isoko North local government area of Delta State to Late Pa Stephen Ogor of Ebave family in Erawha- Owhe and Late Mrs. Ruth Emetakiewe Edewor  Nee Akporawho in the Isoje-Inyedhe family of Owhelogbo on the 17th of July 1942.

The Late Bishop had a childhood that was laden with traumatic experience of high risk infant illness that made many within the locality to write him off as a born-to-die. 

His condition was so inundating that his own mother always went to farm with digging implements to facilitate his immediate burial if the child suddenly dies in the farm. But thanks to God Almighty, the purported born-to-die recovered over time and lived to fulfill his destiny as born to serve by positively impacting humanity in times and seasons.

Meanwhile in a sermon which was taken from Revelation 14 vs 3-5 delivered by the Archbishop of Bendel Province of the Anglican Church of Nigeria Archbishop Cyril Oduteme urge Christians to toll the part of God in order for them to make heaven.

He noted that the gospel of Christ has  now become only prosperity, clergies no longer preach salvation and repentance anymore.

He also said that the Late Bishop Jonathan Francis Ekokotu Edewor did not acquired wealth for himself when he was the Bishop of the Oleh Diocese Anglican Communion.

Meanwhile in his tribute Rt. Revd, John Aruakpor, the present Bishop of the Oleh Diocese Anglican Communion stated that  "Without mincing words, we make bold to say that it is not a time to mourn but to give glory to God for the good life Papa lived which impacted so positively on many of us and has helped to keep the light of the gospel shinning brightly in the entire length and breadth of Isoko land and the Church of Nigeria.

According to him "Our own case, he did not only stand firmly by us when we were passing through a very difficult phase of our lives, he has also been a great source of support and guidance in our episcopacy.

 Comrade Ovuzorie Macaulay former scribe to to the Delta State government also said that, "Well, the Comrade Bishop, those who wrote the biography were not fair to him, they left his Leadership role in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). He was chairman of NUT in Bendel and Delta State respectively.

"He was part of those who form the pioneer NLC, we took him as a leader, he was my senior Comrade. He guided us very well. He is a man of so many parts, he retired as a principal. 

He also said that, "As a clergy, he rose to become the pioneer Bishop of Oleh Diocese of the Anglican Communion, he is a man that accomplished in every field he has put his hands.

  Bashorun Askia Ogieh Managing Director,(DESOPADEC) Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission also stated that, "You can see from the many testimony that are coming in today from different people. He is an exemplary figure, a man that has built a lot of life in the way of Christ and Salvation. 

"He was a very discipline man, the man that put together the need for Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to have a Union in Delta State. In every sphere of life he found himself he did extremely well.

He furher affirmed that, He is a mentor to many, a man you want to follow and emulate.

To Ebenezer Okorodudu the Chief of Staff to the Speaker Delta State House of Assembly who represented the Speaker also noted that, "He is a man worthy to emulate. When you go through the biography you will discovered that he started on a very pathetic note, were the parents were not even sure of his living to the extent when they carry him to farm they go with an implements so that any time he gives up the ghost they will just bury him there. But God Almighty gave him the grace of life and he survived.

He also said that, "Having survived, God also channel his part which he followed diligently through his primary, secondary and tertiary institution until he became a priest.

Chief Okorodudu further said that, "He live a life worthy of emulation. You can see a lot of people regards him as their mentor.

Also Revd. Cannon Oziwele said that, he was a father, a man who sees truth and will say it, a man who is ready to serve at all times.

"A man who will always speak out  if you offend him, right there he will tell you what you have done wrong, right there he forgive and forget and embraces you again".

He furher describe Bishop Edewor as a forthright man. He was an icon in the kingdom of God