The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has condoled Chief Joseph Penawou over the death of his mother, Mama Yeiebimo-Ere Kasua Penawou (née Corsin).
In a condolence message to Mama Penawou’s son and foremost Delta state entrepreneur, Chief Joseph Penawou who is the Country Chairman, Daewoo E & C Nigeria and Chairman/CEO of First Marine and Engineering Services Limited, Omo-Agege expressed the need for all those who knew her to feel further inspired to contribute towards societal uplifting the way the late matriarch did, even in the face of daunting odds.
“Born in Northern Nigeria some 73years ago, she lost her mum at the age of four, married early at 17, struggled to become a well-known teacher and later a trader of note.
“Yet through it all, she never sought succour or success for her nine children alone but showed much love and gave much help for countless other children who today, proudly share cherished memories of her role in their lives.
“Decades before words like ‘development activist’ became known in grassroots communities that she positively impacted, Mama Penawou who passed out from secondary school as Head Girl in 1964 also served as a grassroots teacher across Delta state communities in Gbekebo, Ofonibengha, Ogbeinama and Akugbene before returning in 1986,” Senator Omo-Agege noted.
Emphasising that his “good friend and leader”, Chief Joseph Penawou and his siblings should feel comforted by their late mother’s life of service to the people, Senator Omo-Agege also noted that she embodied the diligence, conscientiousness and generosity that a very motherly Urhobo matriarch is known for.
“True, for Mama Penawou, religion was about the reality of service for touching others’ lives; her life’s practical interpretation of the virtues of a Proverbs 31 woman included diligent and exemplary voluntary service as leader of several women’s social organisations and church societies, her home was always a congregation ground for hospitable warmth and offerings of native delicacies.
“She was kind, caring, compassionate, sensitive and diligent, with a great measure of humility, trust, tolerance and peaceful presence; Mama was a great example, always serving others and refusing to be served and she worked so hard for the success of her children.
“As a member of the Practical Grace of God Mission Church in Akugbene, as a loving wife, mother, sister, aunty, grandmother and great-grandmother, she left bold imprints of affection on all those around her and she passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.
“No doubt, such an exemplary woman joined the saints triumphant and left behind great children and fond memories to comfort and inspire all who knew her – these call for praise to God, not mourning,” he stated.
While praying that God should grant Mama eternal rest, Senator Omo-Agege also beseeched God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
