Bonny Abuzz as Friends, Family Join Enterpreneur, Politician, Joseph Irimagha to Bid Matriarch, Julie Opunne Irimagha Farewell

Bonny Kingdom’s high society alongside their friends and wellwishers from far and near were on hand to join the Irimagha family, especially, entrepreneur and politician, Joseph Irimagha, as they bade farewell to their matriarch, Late Mrs. Julie Opunne Ebenezer Irimagha.

A funeral service in her honour, which was presided over by the Vicar, Venerable Stephen Wilcox, was held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at the Christ Army Church (CAC) of Nigeria, St. Michael’s Cathedral, Bonny, Rivers State.

In his homily at the service, Ven. Wilcox eulogized the deceased, calling forth her virtuous life while alive, extolling the virtues she exuded and admonishing the living to draw leit motifs from the way she lived her life.

He asserted that life beyond the grave and accountability before God Almighty upon man’s demise should remain key considerations for all, urging personal reflection in line with God’s injunctions.

In his speech, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Olusegun Alebiosu extolled the virtues of the late matriarch, noting that her motherly tutelage and tireless grooming shines forth in the lives of her children, especially, his friend, Joseph Irimagha.

In his homily at the service, Most Rev. Abbey eulogized the deceased, calling forth her virtuous life while alive, extolling the virtues she exuded and admonishing the living to draw leit motifs from the way she lived her life.

He asserted that life beyond the grave and accountability before God Almighty upon man’s demise should remain key considerations for all, urging personal reflection in line with God’s injunctions.

Interment of the remains of the demised matriarch of the Irimagha family took place at the Commonwealth Cemetery, Bonny, while a reception in her honour was held at the Bonny Dolphin Hotel, along King Perekule Road, Bonny.

The chief mourner, Joseph Iyobu Irimagha, who was a member of the Electoral Appeal Panel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Anambra State in 2014, is a Board of Trustees (BOT) member of the National Association of Mango Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria, and a chieftain of the SIMplified Movement in Rivers State.

Speaking at the event the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Anengi Claude-Wilcox condoled with the Irimagha family, urging them, especially, the chief mourner, Hon. Joseph Iyobu Irimagha, to take solace in the peaceful and impactful life that their matriarch bequeathed.

Among dignitaries at the event, Managing Director of the Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency (RISAA), Aye Pepple, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Abinye Pepple, former Commissioners for Transport and Finance in the State, George Tolofari and Israel Williams, and a former Executive Director, Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Lawrence Pepple.

Others were the Chiefs and Heads of Captain Hart Group of Houses, Se-Alabo Reginald Hart, Jack-Manilla Pepple House, Se-Alabo Iganima Jack-Manilla Pepple, and Jim-Halliday, Se-Alabo Elliot Jim-Halliday, amongst others.   

The deceased, who was born on Saturday, July 18, 1942, and, according to family sources, lived a very impactful life, passed to on to the great beyond on Saturday, April 13, 2024, leaving behind several offsprings and relatives to mourn her.

These relatives are spread across the families of Late Wariopusenibo Ebenezer Irimagha of the Prince Fubara Manilla Pepple Chieftaincy House, Papanye Wari of the Jackmay Chietaincy House, lgweyi Group of Houses, and Late Robinson Ibiwari Halliday of the Halliday Major Chieftaincy House, all of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom.