Patience Jonathan writes a tribute for the late wife of Professor Edmond Allison-Oguru, Secretary of Bayelsa State goevrnment

The 11 female top guns of the Peoples Democratic Party in the southern Nigerian state of Bayelsa, who died in an auto crash along the East-West Road in Rivers State last week, will be given mass burial on Saturday.

The burial arrangement was announced today by the Bayelsa State Government after a closed-door meeting with families of the victims.

Since nine of the 11 accident victims were burnt beyond recognition, government was compelled to take the option of a mass burial.

Among the victims were Elizabeth Allison-Oguru, wife of Prof. Edmond Allison Oguru, the Secretary to the State Government, former member of the State House of Assembly from Brass Local Government and Special Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson, Mrs. Ruby Benjamin, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs under the administration of Gov. Timipre Sylva, Gimbra Panowei, and Woman Leader from Otuoke Community in Ogbia Local Government, Madam Consider Amadi.

Also killed in the accident was the wife of the owner of a popular Montessori school known as Ayakpo International schools, Mrs. Inamamu Ayakpor.
Also involved in the auto crash was Mrs Ebisinte Ayabowei, a former Bayelsa State commissioner. The women had gone to visit Mrs Patience Jonathan in Port-harcourt and also saw her off at the airport before departing for the tragic return journey to Yenagoa.

The government said a service of songs would hold at the Bayelsa Cultural Centre along Hospital Road in Yenagoa.

Patience Jonathan consoles Professor Allison Oguru

A family source, Cherish Itesi, told NAN that state Governor, Seriake Dickson, had directed the Deputy Governor, John Jonah, to meet with the families over the funeral arrangements.

Itesi said the burial venue would be at Ijaw Hero’s Park in Yenagoa after the Service of Songs at the Bayelsa Cultural Centre.

He said those expected to attend would include Dickson, Jonah, members of the State Executive Council, the legislature, party members, family members and well wishers.

Itesi said the affected families would organise burial ceremonies for the victims in accordance with the Ijaw tradition after the burial by the state government.