Businessmen and women, journalists, politicians, heads of corporate organisations, industrialists among others on Saturday graced the funeral of Margaret Obaigbena, mother of the publisher of ThisDay newspaper Nduka Obaigbena, in Owa-Oyibu, Delta State.
Among the high-profile attendees were the president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; presidential candidate of the Labour, Peter Obi; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo, former governor of Cross River, Donald Duke; and Zenith Bank founder, Jim Ovia.
Also present was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; veteran journalists Bisi Olatilo and Dele Momodu, former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Usman; and businesswoman Bola Shagaya among others.
Mama Obaigbena, who died at the age of 88 on June 16, 2022, was a former chief nursing officer of the defunct Bendel State (now Delta State) Government. She was appointed special adviser by three governors of Delta State.
A commemorative birthday and day of tributes was held in her honour on August 16.
On Friday, a lying-in-state ceremony was held for friends and family to pay their respect.
It was followed by a service of songs and wake at Obaigbena family compound in Delta State.
As of press time, the funeral service had begun in Owa-Oyibu. This will be followed by a private burial. The funeral will be rounded off with an outing service on Sunday.
