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By:Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,Yenagoa
Former staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, RSNC, publishers of The Tide Newspaper and wife of former Chief Judge of Bayelsa State,Mrs Evangeline Odoniere Ungbuku yestaday celebrated her 80th birthday in Yenagoa.
The Octogenarian’s birthday celebrations which attracted family members,friends and former colleagues from far and near also had tradional rulers and people from other walks of life in attendance.
Speaking with Newsmen at the event, the celebrant and widow of the late former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Koripamo Ungbuku said her 80th birthday anniversary is worth commemorating following God’s divine protection of her and her family.
The RSNC erstwhile staff who redeployed to the Bayelsa state Ministry of Information in 1999 upon creation of the state in 1996 due to the unavailability of a sister corporation as at the time retired same year she transferred her services to the state.
“I thankGod for sparing my life,I would’ve died when I was three years old as an infant.Infact,my mother lost two children,both of them three years old when they died.My native name, Odoniere was given me because due to my consistent illness I was taken to my Aunt’s place in Odoni.I was thrown into a dustbin so that death would not come, in a bid to keep me alive.So after all these years and I am still alive,living to see 80 I appreciate God”. She said.
In his goodwill message, the celebrant’s younger sibling and Ibedaowei(traditional ruler) of Kolokuma kingdom,His Royal Majesty, King Mozi Agara described Mrs Ungbuku as a compassionate and reliable elder sister.
The Monarch maintained that the celebrant has not only been a sister, but had also played a
motherly role when ever the need arises, calling on the female folk to see her as role model.
motherly role when ever the need arises, calling on the female folk to see her as role model.
Speaking to Journalists shortly after the event, the trio of the celebrant’s children, Mr Gesiundu Ungbuku,her Son, Dr Mrs Peleundu Ungbuku daughter and Mr Woundu Ungbuku,stepson described their mother as having the ideal qualities of a Godly woman.
The children commended people for making out time to celebrate their mother with them in her life time, noting that she has over the years impacted the lives of whom ever she had come across.
It would be recalled that the celebrant’s husband, the late Justice Koripamo Ungbuku served as the Chief Judge of Rivers state before he was redeployed to the same post in Bayelsa state upon the creation of the state as its first Chief Judge.
