Funeral Mass For Journalist In Convoy Accident: Oshiomhole offers succour, as widow, children get N25 million

IVIUKWE - Bishop of the Auchi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia yesterday condemned the recklessness of drivers of heavy duty vehicles on the highway, just as Edo state government doled out N25 million to the widow and children of the late AIT Journalist, Mr. Fidelis Okhani, who died in an auto accident involving the convoy of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, last weekend.

The Bishop who made the observation during the funeral service for late Okhani, who was aged 41, at the St. Mary’s Parish, Iviukwe, Etsako East Local Governement Area, said people should be educated to do what is right irrespective of political party affiliation.

“We should be mindful of other road users. It is expected that out of respect for the siren of the governor’s convoy, the tipper ought to give way, because if you touch the governor, you touch everyone of us,” he noted.

According to him, the late journalist contributed his quota to the society as a media man. He urged other journalists to let Fidelis’ death to be a source of motivation to give in their best while alive.

“As journalists, you are soldiers who know they have something to live and die for.

They go out to war even when they know they can die in the process. I encourage you to continue to be brave even when you face discouragement.

We condole with the governor, the immediate family and we invoke the power of God for healing for those receiving treatment in the hospital,” he added.

The Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in his remarks recalled that Fidelis worked with him while he was not yet a governor in 2006 and he was so dedicated to his duties with passion.

“We shared a common vision that Edo state must move on by taking motion pictures of our activities into the living rooms of Nigerians across the nation” he added.

According to Comrade Oshiomhole, “this death will not break our fighting spirit.

The best tribute we can give them is to use public resources to address the challenges of the people.

The government has obligation to support those who need help, we have done it for those we do not even know, because that is the social purpose of governance.”

He disclosed that the state government will deposit the sum of N5 million in the name of each of the four children of the late Fidelis in the bank to ensure that they attend school to University level, while N5 million will be given to the widow to take care of them.

The funeral service which was followed by internment at the family compound was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, including the chairman of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists led by the Edo Council chairman, Comrade Friday Obanor.