November 26, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has paid glowing tribute to Madam Priscilla Preye Appah, mother of ace broadcast journalist, Ovieteme George, describing her as a mother who gave her best in service to humanity.
Governor Diri spoke on Saturday, at her funeral service at the Cathedral (Anglican) Church of St Mark’s in Kaiama, headquarters of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the State.
Eulogising Mama Appah, who died at the age of 87 on September 21, 2023, Senator Diri said as a well-trained and experienced midwife and teacher, she made society a better place through her dedicated service while also inculcating the proper moral values in her children, which he said are evident in Ovieteme George, who is positively impacting society.
The Governor lamented the dearth of proper values in society, urging parents to teach the right values to their children so that they can make society a better place.
He also implored Bayelsans to emulate the good qualities of the deceased, who gave her best to humanity as a teacher and nurse.
He said: “Lying in state here is a quintessential mother that can be likened to the woman described in Proverbs 31.
“The lesson to all of us is that we need to bring up our children in a way that motherly love will not depart. I am sure she gave her best.
“To all humanity, she has given her best and has left children who are able to contribute to the development of society
“Unarguably, she contributed immensely to the nursing profession. We thank God for the life and times of this great woman.”
Describing the deceased as one of his greatest supporters, Governor Diri said Mama Priscilla died a fulfilled woman following his re-election.
“Mama was one of my greatest supporters. Mama was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. Each time I contested an election, I visited the Appah family. After finishing with the rest of the family, I went to her and she would give me words of encouragement. She will always tell me to go and win the election. I believe that to an extent, she died a fulfilled woman.
“As a party, we need to honour the late Priscilla Appah. She was one of us. She stood by us at all times. On behalf of a very grateful government, we bid you farewell,” he stated.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for the Lord to comfort the bereaved families.
