By Saidu Idris
It was a very sad day on Saturday December 5, as the Okopido brothers, Dr Imeh Okopido and Hon. Ini Okopido were laid to rest at Ikot Akpan Anwa, Ika Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
Until their deaths, Hon. Ini Okopido was the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while his brother, Dr. Okopido, was a pioneer Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Environment.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, at the funeral, said, “It is noteworthy that as the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State the late Hon. Ini Okopido was a committed and resourceful leader who dedicated his time and resources to the success and growth of our party.
“It is regrettable that he departed when his services to our party, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria as a whole were most needed.
“We know that these are difficult times for the Okopido family as the Mother of the deceased also passed on few days back but death is only the end of the physical life and the beginning of eternal glory.”
While also paying tribute to the second Okopido brother, Dr. Okopido, Akpabio stated that “during his lifetime, he rendered selfless services to his people and the Nigerian Nation as a whole. He will always be remembered for his remarkable services to humanity whether as Veterinary Doctor and Past President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association; Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the defunct Ika Local Government Area (1982 – 1983) and Pioneer Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Environment and Member of the Federal Executive Council.
“My family and I commiserate with the entire members of the Okopido family, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom state as a whole and pray God to grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable losses.”
Akpabio described the loss of the two brothers as a painful incident, and prayed God to console and protect the families left behind.
The funeral was attended by dignitaries across the state, including members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), APC and other political parties.