By Emmanuel Egbuchinem
The value of life they say is not in the duration, but in the donation and contribution to humanity.
This informed the large turnout of personalities who came from all walks of life within Delta State and beyond to accord their leader, mentor and associate a befitting burial ceremony; as the remains of Hon. Christian Okpambor, The Executive Assistant on Community Development and Youth Matters, to the Delta State Governor, was committed to mother earth on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at his Palatial Compound; Number 1, Okpambor Drive, Off Deeper Life Road, Boji Boji, Owa.
In a brief exhortation during the funeral service in his honour, the General Overseer of Kingdom Heritage International Assembly; Bishop Atewe Success, informed the gathering that death is a price which everyone must pay, hence, they should lead a holy life and to be prepared to enjoy eternal life with God, because no one knows when death will come knocking. Continuing, he described the late “King of Boys” as a humble and compassionate man, a philanthropist, an easy going gentleman, a mover and lover of men and to a very large extent a lover of God; emphasizing that late Hon. Christian Okpambor, was indeed good to many who knew him, a man who gave willingly and someone who appreciates having people around him all the time.
Speaking further, Bishop Atewe Success, enjoined the children of the deceased to emulate the virtues and legacies their father left behind; urging that they should allow the fear of God to guide them in all they do. He prayed God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and to also grant his family members, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Aqccording to his biography, Late Hon. Christian Okpambor, was born on 27th June, 1970, to the family of late Mr. Reuben Iwegbu Okpambor of Owanta and late Mrs. Maria Ayomor Ngwodo of Ute-Okpu, both in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State. He had his primary education at Igumbor Otiku Primary School Agbor, where he obtained his primary school leaving certificate in 1983. He had his secondary school education at Ika Grammar School, Boji Boji, Owa, where he obtained his Ordinary Level Certificate (WAEC) in June 1988. After his secondary education, he worked with a Bureau de Change office at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos, for two years before he left Nigeria to the United States of America. At America he attended numerous higher institutions from where he obtained several professional certificates. He was a certified licensed transporter. He was the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Partner to several companies and conglomerates in America.
Late Hon. Christian Okpambor, contributed positively and effectively to the overall development of the society. He was an influential civic leader, a social and community developer. He was a licensed and certified transporter, a professional and licensed consultant. Late Christian Okpambor, had a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology and Security Studies, which he obtained from the National Open University of Nigeria in 2014. He was the Managing Director of Okpams Motors Limited, Ajah Lagos, since March 2007 till date. He was the Managing Director, Okpams Block Industries Ltd at Lekki Lagos, He joined Nigerian Politics in 2015. He has passion and love for people, especially the less privileged. As a Community developer, late Okpambor, carried out Empowerment Programmes for many youths in Agbor and Boji Boji,Owa. He donated Cars, Motorcycles, Computers and Physical bonds to many youths. He gave scholarship and education grants to many and set up small businesses for the people he trained. He financed the marriages of some youths who could not get married due to lack of finance and were of age; he provided accommodation for them and set up small businesses for them.
He was the Founder of Christian Okpambor Organization and Foundation, located at Number 96, Okobi Street, Owa. His special skills are; great leadership skills, critical thinking skills, grass root mobilization, good communication, project management and strong interpersonal skills. He was the Chairman Okpambor Vanguard, whose activities included; mobilization of the people of his constituency to support ideal leadership and good governance, devised a campaign strategy that brought together many Deltans in the Diaspora to actively participate in the electioneering process of their constituency, funded the organization in all its programmes and projects, championed the cause to emancipate the people of his constituency and carried out a political sponsoring and support programme for politicians seeking elective positions. Late Hon. Christian Okpambor, was the Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Youth Mobilization, between 2015 to 2019. He was the Director of Youth Mobilization for Prince Ned Nwoko Campaign Organization, from 2018 to 2019 and the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Community Development and Youth Matters, since 2019 until his death.
