The remains of late educationist and elder statesman, Mr David Okonkwo Otene, have been intered to mother earth at his compound in Emuhu after a funeral mass in his honour at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor. The well attended burial ceremony took place last weekend at Agbor. Present to join the Otene family to bid their late patriarch farewell to eternity were family members, church members, community members, members of different of different associations and friends.

The children of Late Pa. David Okonkwo Otene during the burial

Mr. David Okonkwo Otene was born September 14th, 1938 to Mr. Edward Otene and Mrs. Catherine Chiwuozor Otene both of Emuhu, in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State. He attended St. Michael’s Catholic School Okpanam from 1945 to 1952.

Thereafter, he was admitted to Igueben Teacher Training College in 1958 to 1959. After the teacher training, he was posted to Owa-Ekei Primary School in Ika North East Local Government Area in 1960 .In 1961, he took an entrance examination into Benin Delta Teacher Training in Benin-City and took up teaching in LA School at Emuhu as Headmaster in 1964 to 1965.

Mr. David Okonkwo Otene attended University of Lagos where he obtained Bsc Honours in Economics, and did his NYSC in Oyo state. After the youth service, he was posted to Ihu-Iyase Secondary School, Agbor-Nta in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State in 1979 as a vice principal.

After spending some years he was transferred to Otolokpo Mixed Secondary School still as a vice principal, he later became a principal at Owerre-Olubor Secondary School in 1990 and retired as a principal in December, 1994.

In addition, he was one time the Assistant Secretary to C.M.O of St John Catholic Church, Agbor. He is married and the marriage is blessed with six (6) lovely children.Tribute To My Late Dad, Pa David Okonkwo OteneTribute? Well, I’m sure if I was to write a proper tribute it would be a book but I must pen down these few words here. I hope they come close to representing the message I hope to pass across.

What can I say about such a dedicated father? Such a dedicated husband. Such a dedicated teacher, scholar, uncle, grandfather, in-law and a great advocate of quality education. A torch-bearer for continuing education. An ambassador of academic excellence and a firm advocate of Christian and in particular Roman Catholic values.

‘D.O.’ as you were popularly called by your friends, I’m blessed to have been your son and I’m grateful to God for leaving you with us, to be under your tutelage and mentorship, for as long as you were with us. It still feels so difficult to believe you are no longer with us, so unreal, just short of hypnagogic.

There are more than a few who think I am organized but that is only because they didn’t have the opportunity to know you, to know that I was only learning from the best! You left us in no doubt about your affairs on so many fronts and even our own affairs were so well laid out. You were never absent when you were needed, in words and in deeds.

Anyone who understood your intentions, was patient and humble enough to follow your guidance, to sit and drink from your cup of wisdom and foresight can only rejoice today that he or she listened to your wise counsel. The same measure and sternness with which you pushed your children to success you applied to all others who were willing to be pushed and guided. It is no surprise therefore, that so many people call you Daddy.

The bible tells us that “there is time for everything under the sun…a time to live and a time to die…” and so with gratitude to God for a life well spent, for all you gave us – your time, treasure and talent, we must accept that you have completed your earthly sojourn and returned to God.Ijen oma Baba. Ezigbo Onyenkuzi…! May God accept your soul and give you rest. Till we meet to part no more.Cletus.

The Otene’s during the funeral mass at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor

The children of Late Pa. David Okonkwo Otene during the burial
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Source: Ika News Agbor
Ika News: Late Mr David Okonkwo Otene buried