The remains of a Senior Information Officer in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Late Mrs Winifred Mbaishive Uttah were laid to rest recently at her husband’s ancestral home in Mbatiav, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue state.
The solemn ceremony was attended by family, friends and and a delegation of ministry of Information staff who came to pay their final respects.
Speaking at the occasion on behalf of the entire staff of the ministry, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), State Information Chapel, Comrade Ephraim Hemben described the late Winifred as a dedicated professional whose contributions were deeply valued.
“Your wife was an exceptional woman of acceptable pedigree, and her impact is evident in the large turnout at this funeral. In my over 20 years of working in the Information ministry, I have never witnessed such a gathering of Directors and Senior Officers at a colleague’s burial. That alone speaks volumes about the kind of person she was”.
He urged her husband, Mr. Terver Uttah, to ensure that their children receive quality education and strong moral upbringing, fulfilling the dreams their mother could not complete.
“Winifred was a woman whose like is uncommon to find. She was industrious, focused and achieving. I’m not a prophet, but I believe that had she lived longer, she would have become a quintessential woman and significant figure in your family and community. Now, the responsibility falls on you to invest in the future of your children, keeping her legacy alive”
Earlier, the officiating minister at the funeral and Assistant Priest at the Church of the Twelve Apostles Rectory, Pika in Gboko diocese, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Meegu urged sympathizers to rather use her death to reflect on their lives, emphasizing that death should serve as a reminder to walk in righteousness.
Reading from gospel according to John 14:6 where Jesus declares, “I’m the way, and the truth, and life. No one comes to the father except through me”, the cleric encouraged believers to examine their spiritual journey and embrace values that will leave lasting impact.
“Believers should not fear death, for Christ has conquered it. The passage of our loved ones should rather inspire us to live meaningful lives, filled with virtues that uplift others”, he admonished.
The Director of Planning, Research, Publication and Documentation, Mrs Mwuese Nomhwange, led a delegation of both Directors and other staff of the ministry including a former staff of the ministry and current Majority Chief Whip in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Ipusu; Ag. Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Terdoo Adamu; Ag. Director of Information and Communication Technology, Mrs Jennifer Gyanggyang; Asst. Director Information, Mrs Member Uva; Deputy Directors, Mr. Ahangba Ayati and Bem Iwev; Staff Officer, Mr. Ephraim Wende; Asst. Directors, Mr. Kaor Surma, Mrs Miriam Hemba, Miss Nancy Sunu among many others.
Until her death, the deceased joined Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) in 2012 as a contract staff at the level of Mobilization Officer, a job which she did until her induction into the state civil service in 2014 under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism where she served as Information Officer in different ministries, departments and agencies including Bureau of Internal Affairs and Special Services.
The late Winifred died at the age of 40 after a brief illness and is survived by her husband, Mr. Terver Uttah and three children.
