Prof Ogionwo, Ex-SSG To Old Rivers State Passes On … Family announces Burial Plans

The burial arrangement of a former university don and monarch of Opokuma clan in Bayelsa State, King Williams Ogionwo has been made public.

King Ogionwo joined his ancestors on January 4, this year after a brief illness. Details of the arrangement made public after an enlarged meeting of Opouma clan, which comprises family members and other stakeholders held in Port Harcourt indicate that a service of songs hold at his Port Harcourt residence, while Christian and traditional wake takes place at his home town Igbainwari in Opokuma clan. Various committees were raised at the meeting to plan hitch-free burial of the scholar, politician and monarch. The general planning committee is to work out modalities for a lecture series in honour of the late monarch for his invaluable contribution to the growth and development of the educational sector.

The contact committee is headed by a former Ambassador  Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu, while the security committee is to be headed by retired General Stanley Diriyai, Accommodation is to chaired by Mrs. Victoria Denenu, Commissioner of Environment, Bayelsa State, as well as venue to be be co-ordinated by member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Engr. Fimi Angaye.

Finance committee will be headed by Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Timi Alaibe while publicity will be chaired by Mr. Okpoitari Diongoli of Bayelsa Radio.

Other committees are electricity-headed by Engr. Olie Kemenanabo, Protocol to be chaired by Teifa Nweigha, Sanitations entertainments and as well as welfare.

Late Professor Ogionwo was a lecturer at the  University of Ibadan before he was appointed secretary to old Rivers State Government under Chief Melford Okilo’s administration in 1979.

At the end of that administration, late Ogionwo transferred his service to the University of Port Harcourt, where he rose to become Dean, Faculty of Humanities.

He retired a couple of years, before becoming the king of Opokuma clan.