Late Raphael Edem laid to rest

Late Raphael Edem laid to rest 

...Our candle is broken - Commumity

...my father means so much to people - Family 

By IFIOKABASI ABIA 

It was a moment of encomium, glamour and fanfare as a doyen of all time, Late Noble Brother Raphael Edem , KSJI laid to rest in his country home.

The funeral mass was conducted last weekend by St. Mary's Catholic Church, Ikot Inuen, Nkwot, Ikono Local Government Area.

In his homily, the Bishop of Uyo Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. John Ayah said the Life we live is not our own and we should do every thing to please our Creator so that when the day of transition to glory come we will not be found wanting.

According to Ayah, "I knew our brother very well, Late Noble Brother Raphael Edem lying here. He was dedicated to the service and things of God. He is a testament of encouragement, focus, passion, support for the needy and never give up."

"Late Edem never seat on the fence. He was hospitable and accommodating to all who came his way," he stressed.

According to the biography, Late Noble Brother Raphael Edem was a philanthropist, bagged several career excellent awards and retired as Pioneer Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Department of Establishment, and Ministry of Information.

Akparawa Linus Edem, the youngest brother of the deceased, reiterated that the entire Ikot Inuen Community, Nkwot, have lost a Colossus, philanthropist and our candle is broken.

Linus Edem recounted all the roles Late Noble Brother Raphael Edem played to the family like giving the family directions and lamented what befallen on their family to lost a Colossus like Late Sir Raphael Edem.

"On his returned from National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, my father was stressed financially and he proposed to register me into Junior Secondary one by next academic year. My Late brother Raphael Edem said, No. He will pay for my admission and other prospectus. He paid, and I was enrolled."

In his response, Engr. Uduakobong Raphael Edem, the son of the deceased said, he felt honored and humbled, the way people came in their numbers to honor his late father. It was a very serene environment filled with people.

In his words, "It also means that my father means so much to people and if he did not impact on people in a meaningful way, people won't turn up today to pay their last respect.

"It was a sobbing moment too. I had to reflect him on a sobber way. Find some words of wisdom. I now know I need to do better than my Dad and if i can not do better than him, I need to do like him because he did very well and am actually proud of him."

Thus, Knights of Saint John International spiced the funeral mass with their regalia among other religious groups.