By Olorogun Albert Apkomuje , SAN, FCIArb.
It is with great sadness and pain that I write this tribute in memory of our first lady in Ewewu Chambers established by the legendary DR. MUDIAGA ODJE, OFR, SAN, our boss and mentor.
For close to four decades since I knew “Mum” as we all fondly call her, I can say with no fear of any contradiction that Mum was a very special and unique person to very many people including myself.
Even though mum was not a lawyer but the success of Ewewu chambers would not have been what it is without mum. This she did by taking every administrative staff of the office as her children.
When at times our boss, the legend gets upset with our work, Mum was always there to calm him down by saying these are children and do not use your very high standard to judge them now.
As a person, Mum gave me so much encouragement and inspiration in my legal practice which saw me through to the level I am today. Mum in appreciation of hard work would say “ALBERT DON’T YOU REST”?
She gave me these words of consolation as a way to encourage me as I can drive from Port Harcourt, after conducting a matter and head same day to Lagos driving myself to and fro. Indeed, she pets us like her babies which encouraged me to do more.
In some of my visits to the home with my wife, mum would counsel her about the duties of a lawyer’s wife particularly to develop a thick skin to accommodate them for being outside the matrimonial geographical jurisdiction for their legal work, most importantly Mum told my wife on several occasions of being responsible to wash and iron the bib of our boss which today we have consigned to the laundry house.
Time and space will not permit me to write the long story of mum in this tribute.
Suffice to say that mum you were a very special person to me. I must put on record your care to our daddy and Boss Dr. Mudiaga Odje in his lifetime. You served my master to the fullest as a committed true Urhobo house wife to keep him comfortable, by doing everything by yourself, including purchase from the market without a house help or any other person assisting you.
Mum you were a virtuous woman by the biblical standard whose type is rare to find and we bless God for giving you to all of us.
I am still in a state of disbelief that death could cage you Mum the strong woman I know in a place we can no longer relate with.
We your children in Ewewu chambers both biological and adopted ones remain proud to be associated with you in your life time.
We are consoled by the good legacies you left behind evidenced by your very strong personality as mother to all.
ADIEU MUM
ADIEU 1ST LADY AND MOTHER OF EWEWU CHAMBERS
ADIEU MOTHER OF ALL MOTHERS
ADIEU THE GREAT MOTHER OF LAWYERS
MAY GOD ALMIGHTY GRANT YOU EXTERNAL REST IN HIS BOSSOM. AMEN.
SIGN:
OLOROGUN ALBERT AKPOMUDJE, SAN, FCIArb.
Ewewu Chambers.
OBITUARY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Dates have been fixed for the funeral ceremonies of Chief (Mrs.) Paulina Odje as follows;
Thursday, 11th February, 2021, Service of Songs will hold at Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church, Warri/Sapele Road,Warri, Delta State. Time: 4 pm Prompt.
On Friday, 12th February, 2021, Requiem Mass and Interment will take place at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Evwreni, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State. Time: 10 am Prompt.